News & Video on Light-Sport Aircraft, Sport Pilot Kits, and Ultralight Aircraft
At the Midwest LSA Expo 2010, we started something new using multiple aircraft and offering their differences and similarities. Here we look at five composite high wing LSA: Sirius TL-3000; Jabiru J-230; CTLS; FK-9 Mark IV; and Navigator 600. If you're in the market for a high wing, this video may help show your choices and help you make a purchase decision.
At the Midwest LSA Expo 2010, we started something new using multiple aircraft and offering their differences and similarities. Here we look at five composite high wing LSA: Sirius TL-3000; Jabiru J-230; CTLS; FK-9 Mark IV; and Navigator 600. If you’re in the market for a high wing, this video may help show your choices and help you make a purchase decision.
Here's another SLSA that looks so small, you'd think it might be cramped inside. But it isn't and it flies very comfortably as well. The brand comes from Poland but is sold in the USA from Niagra Falls, New York. The composite airplane was well received at the Sun 'n Fun 2009 LSA Mall.
Here’s another SLSA that looks so small, you’d think it might be cramped inside. But it isn’t and it flies very comfortably as well. The brand comes from Poland but is sold in the USA from Niagra Falls, New York. The composite airplane was well received at the Sun ‘n Fun 2009 LSA Mall.
I once followed judging at shows like AirVenture and Sun ‘n Fun. In fact, an aircraft I helped inspire — a modernized primary glider called the SuperFloater — won Outstanding New Design at Sun ‘n Fun 1995. Judges closely examined homebuilts, kit or restored vintage airplanes, and warbirds. If they included factory built aircraft, I was not aware of it. *** So, this year I admitted surprise after learning factory-built Light-Sport Aircraft won awards. *** To honor the hundreds or thousands of hours people put into their winners, I want to highlight some LSA and ultralights that judges liked. The Grand Champion LSA was Wayne Spring’s 2010 Predator powered parachute; Reserve Grand Champ was James Jonannes’ 2009 Arion Lightning LS-1; Grand Champion Ultralight was James Wiebe’s 2010 Belite Superlite; and, Reserve Grand Champ was Danny Dezauche’s 2010 CGS Hawk Ultra.
3Xtrim's new SLSA Navigator 600 comes standard with an 18.2 gallon fuel tank though large-capacity, long-range tanks are available. Wing area 127.4 square feet; empty weight 716 pounds; payload 496 pounds with full fuel giving a 400 mile range. More specs.
At Sebring 2007, I flew an enjoyable airplane from Poland with the uninspiring name of 3X55 Trainer (see my blog post). A re-engineered and renamed Navigator 600 received SLSA certification on August 22, 2008. [UPDATE 2/19/09] — The North American importer is 3Xtrim Inc. *** Navigator grew up and now boasts a 1,320 pound gross weight and a useful load of 600 pounds with a 47.2-inch cabin width, specified producer, 3Xtrim. I thought 3X55 looked small but she felt sufficiently roomy inside. 3X55 was also very straightforward to fly at modest speeds (88 knots at cruise). And it was so simple to land that the earlier model easily justified the “Trainer” label. *** [UPDATE 7/1/09] 3Xtrim, Inc., reports several N-numbered Navigator 600s are flying in the U.S. and four more are expected soon. Base price for a reasonably well-equipped Navigator is $99,000.
The 3X55 Trainer from 3Xtrim company looks pretty conventional in its basic shape but don't let looks deceive you. I found this straightforward airplane to have wonderful flight qualities. Look for my report in a future issue of EAA Sport Pilot.
Much attention on LSA seems to focus on U.S.-built aircraft or those from Czech Republic. Of course we have many other countries contributing to the growing U.S. fleet including Germany, Italy, and Australia. While Poland also contributes fabrication to the German-designed FK Lightplane series, the country isn’t widely known to Americans as an LSA provider. Its fuselage boom with vertical flanges (assembled from two fuselage halves) shows how this airplane descends from sailplane gliders built for many years in Eastern Europe. Imported by Rainbow Sport Aviation in Canada, the creator of the 3X55 is Adam Kurbiel, who designed gliders at the SZD-PZL glider factory before turning his attention to light airplanes. A modest cruiser (88 knots or 101 mph at 75% power), 3X55 handles beautifully and lands easily. The 47-inch-wide interior is nicely appointed with modern controls to match more expensive aircraft. Priced at $73,500 with the 80-hp Rotax, 3X55 seems a relative bargain.