Scissortail Aerosport company, out of Tulsa, Oklahoma, imports sleek composite aircraft from Slovenia. Last year, they brought a sleek four place low wing to AirVenture that was well-received. This year, they imported an even sleeker and, dare we say, sexier looking, two place speedster that promises to be “Mosaic ready.” Named the GOGETAIR G-750, this little sportster trues out at 138 knots at 10,000 feet and stalls at 54 knots. The two place Gogetair G-750 that Scissortail brought to AirVenture flies behind a Rotax 914 Turbo and a Woodcomp electric variable-pitch prop. Scissortail’s President, Shannon Hankins, states that the customer can also order a Rotax 915 and a hydraulically powered MT constant speed prop. The panel wears a Dynon HDX EFIS, but can be ordered with the Garmin G3X. This design features a fuselage roll safety cage and a whole airframe parachute. The Gogetair G-750’s most attractive trait, however is it’s eye-catching design, sporting swept wing tips and gull wing doors.
GoGetAir Aircraft
Website: https://gogetair-aircraft.com
Email: info@gogetair-aircraft.com
Phone: +386 41 669 766
Loče, 3215 - SloveniaMade for Mosaic? Scissortail Aerosport Imports G750 wth 2+2 Seating
Go Get Some Air
In this article I want to explore the GoGetAir Aircraft G750. This Slovenian design is a new-to-Americans aircraft, though it has a decade of history in Europe. GoGetAir's G750 evolved from an aircraft I had seen earlier in Europe called One (image). A stylish design One used a sports car approach, two rear seats of limited carrying capacity. One Aircraft was designed by Iztok Šalamon after he began that company in 2014. One Aircraft shut down operations in 2019 when GoGetAir was established. Today, GoGetAir and their G750 are today the product of Ania and Iztok Šalamo (nearby image). They are well positioned for the coming Mosaic LSA class. "We took the things that we love and we have built on them," noted the couple. "The result is the innovative GoGetAir line of aircraft. In order to achieve the best possible comfort for the pilot during G750's nine-hour endurance, the aircraft is equipped with adjustable rudder pedals as well as with adjustable seats and three different foam density of seat cushioning for maximum comfort." "GoGetAir is the only aircraft in the category that features large forward-and-upward-hinging doors for easy entry," said the Šalamos, referring to them as "Lamborghini-style doors." They added, "Pilot and passengers are protected with a Formula-1-like full-carbon roll cage with kevlar protection. "In addition, every G750 is equipped with a BRS Parachute System," GoGetAir said, "designed around a solid-fuel rocket housed in the front fuselage that pulls the parachute to full deployment within seconds." Europe-based light aviation journalist Marino Boric wrote, "GoGetAir's G750 aircraft from Slovenia is one of very few 2+2 aircraft with an MTOW of 750 kilograms (1,650 pounds), which on first glance looks like a smaller version of Cirrus’ piston SR-series." Though the term is no longer common, “2+2” indicates a second row of seats but ones with a lesser amount of leg room. A Cirrus SR20 weighs about twice as much as G750 but has a roomy aft seat. GotGetAir observed, "G750's aft seat can be used for baggage or you can also take two children up to 55 pounds each and not more than five feet tall. When those aft seats are filled, some baggage can still be stored in the small space behind the seats." Even though you cannot fill G750 with four large American males, this is an ideal Mosaic LSA for Sport Pilot certificate holders. Those pilots will not be allowed to take four persons aloft but might enjoy the extra cabin space.G750 Performs
Offered first with the 100-horsepower Rotax 912, a 115-horsepower Rotax 914 turbo engine enabled more robust performance with take-off in less than 500 feet and a climb rate more than 1,000 feet per minute Now, GoGetAir offers the turbocharged, intercooled Rotax 915iS that offers a performance boost up to altitude. See the nearby chart to compare engines and performance. GoGetAir is reasonably fast, a nice bump from today's LSA, offering cruise at 138 knots or 159 miles per hour. Other Mosaic LSA may strive for higher speeds but may be more compact to reduce drag. G750 is intended for comfortable cross country travel. With Rotax 915, G750 takes off in less tha 400 feet of ground roll and can climb 1,500 feet per minute. Max cruising at altitude, G750/915 will burn 6-7 gallons per hour. Under ideal conditions, full tanks of 35 gallons offers range of nearly 1,000 nautical miles. "Due to its huge flaps G750 is easily operated on 1,500 foot runway," said GoGetAir. Stall speed for all three engine sizes is a modest 43 knots or 49 miles per hour. With Mosaic coming in at 54 knots (or possibly faster) G750 is well within Mosaic parameters.GoGetAir G750 Safety Features
- Rocket-propelled emergency airframe parachute
- 4-mm-thick certified glass front windshield for bird and other object penetration protection
- Passenger compartment roll safety cage; designed and tested cabin construction with car-style crash resistance
- Doors designed to be opened in case of a roll-over
- Full Kevlar cabin interior for protection from object penetration
- “Single-spar” design — both spars overlap and are bolted together to the fuselage, adding to construction stiffness and safety
- Panel retracts in case of crash
- Three hinges on every moving surface; four on the flaps
- Glide ratio of 17.5:1 for lower fuel consumption and higher safety in case of engine failure.
GoGetAir in America
Shannon Hankins & Alan Jackson from Scissortail Aerosport represent G750 to North America. "Scissortail is the authorized North American Completion Center for the GoGetAir's G750. We offer full in-house support during final assembly at our facility located in Tulsa, Oklahoma (KRVS)." Of course, their reference to assembly is before Mosaic when they could deliver a fully-built G750. The timing of Scissortail and GoGetAir is excellent, with only 16 months or so before Mosaic is released. In the meantime, FAA has registration categories such Experimental Exhibition that allow import of a small number of fully-assembled aircraft to test the market. By the second quarter of 2025, Mosaic should become official regulation and then G750 will easily fit the mLSA category assuming the company chooses to pursue and declare compliance with ASTM standards. G750 is a costlier choice as will be many mLSA. At $270,000 to $340,000, depending on optional equipment and finishes, G750 is helping to define a price point for Mosaic LSA. Extra seats and extra capabilities cost real money. While we all wait on Mosaic, Scissortail can refine their operation and deliver a few Experimental Exhibition aircraft to earn feedback from American pilots. Contact Shannon or Alan for more or to arrange a flight demo.ARTICLE LINKS:
- Scissortail Aerosports, U.S. importer for GoGetAir, contact info and all related content on this website
- GoGetAir Aircraft, all contact information and content on this website
- Earlier reporting on Mosaic, multiple article with lots of detail plus many useful links
- For last-minute commenters, here's FAA's links:
- Make a comment, direct link to FAA’s make-a-comment page (comment period closes January 22, 2024)
- Read what 900+ other commenters have said on FAA comments-posted page
Are you ready for Mosaic? Let’s be crystal clear. You have almost no time left to comment on FAA’s proposed rule. Mere days remain before the comment window closes. (Comment links at bottom) However, we won’t see Mosaic LSA for many months yet. …Or, is that wrong? In this article, we look at G750, a 2+2 seat Mosaic LSA candidate. Mosaic as a completed regulation is still 16 months away, according to FAA’s oft-repeated statements about how long they need after comments have closed. The agency has a lot of work remaining on this proposed regulation. After a group of maintenance organizations asked for more time, FAA extended the comment period to January 22, 2024. That means you have less than one week left as this article is posted. After that, FAA begins huddling internally to review all comments and make other changes (and hopefully fix a number of weak areas; see other reporting on Mosaic).
AirVenture Oshkosh 2023 Is Done; Here’s an Overview Done On-Air with EAA Radio
Mosaic and More
Given FAA's earlier-than-predicted release of the highly-anticipated NPRM (Notice of Proposed Rule Making), Mosaic was on the minds of many aviators. The one thing that is no longer included is drones or multicopters. Once they were removed, the regulation went forward swiftly. Mosaic burst upon the scene bearing unanticipated surprises. Through their proposal FAA has confirmed industry did well regulating itself. FAA has said repeatedly, "We want industry to do more." ASTM's F37 LSA committee members have clearly done an impressive job. Join ASTM here if you'd like to help! In the video below I highlight several aspects of the new proposal but in the days and weeks ahead I will dive much more deeply into the NPRM. Various groups will closely examine the NPRM, producing summaries as soon as possible so you can digest the NPRM and compose your response. I hope each of you will let FAA know what you think, but write your own words. Scanning technology lets FAA group identical responses as one response, so say whatever you think but don't copy and paste language others have proposed. Also, be polite and constructive; ranting will not help. The good news is that you don't have to wait. I am quite impressed with nearly 200 comments to my earlier article. Some commenters have clearly dug into the details intensively. Fly at Night? — Here's one part of the NPRM that generated many comments. The question raised: "Can a Sport Pilot fly at night …without a medical." Commenter Rich wrote, "FAA stated at a forum yesterday [at Oshkosh 2023] that, yes, the intent is that for night flight a medical or BasicMed is required. The reason given was that they did not have enough trust in state driver agencies to adequately check eyes." I'm sure Rich heard and quoted the FAA guys correctly, however, reading the Federal Register release of Mosaic, I still believe the FAA will use endorsements to allow Sport Pilot certificate holders to receive training in pursuit of skills for night flying, retractable gear, adjustable props, and even IFR. The language in the NPRM supports this on page after page.More Aircraft Coming
I know what most readers enjoy and fortunately I have the same interest. The following flying machines are ones I will be writing about in the days and weeks ahead. As with those aircraft already reported from the show, by no means are these all the intriguing aircraft at Oshkosh but they are ones I hope you will enjoy. AEROPRAKT — I simply have to admire the Aeroprakt team, led by designer Yuri Yakovlev. Everyone on the planet is aware how their home country of Ukraine is under immense pressure from every direction including missiles flying and bombs dropping. How they can keep it together is something of a miracle and certainly a credit to their dedication and resolve. During AirVenture, former importer Dennis Long (who's still helping) texted to say Aeroprakt had built their 1,500th aircraft. They aren't just repeating though; they're still innovating. One Aeroprakt on display had a third door (similar to Jabiru J-230D, Montaer MC-01, and KFA's Safari XL). This makes loading baggage easier and allows use of the aft space in A-32 Vixxen's roomy cockpit. New importer, Andy Humphrey, who operates as Heaven Bound, showed me another Aeroprakt at Oshkosh that was fully equipped for IFR, a use he noted is "permitted for Special LSA when used for IFR flight or recurrent training." A standard in development by ASTM should allow flight into IMC that is not presently advised. HAWK ULTRA AIR — You know Hawk for many years; they celebrated 40 years in 2022 (as did the Part 103 regulation). Today, one organization, CGS Aviation, builds the Special LSA version. In Oshkosh, I met a new engineer hire at CGS Aviation who confirmed they are going through the two seater carefully, creating all-new CAD files that never existed with the original. This is a very worthy effort but prevented them from displaying at AirVenture. Bob Santom and son LB focus solely on the single place CGS Hawks including models that qualify for Part 103's wonderful privileges. It turns out both CGS enterprises can stay busy. At AirVenture 2023, Bob and LB exhibited their open-cockpit Hawk Ultra Air. I thought it looked good with no Dacron skin covering the structure. I observed different pilots enter the cockpit — one weighing 165 pounds and one at 240 — and both seemed to fit easily. A 200-250 hour build for beginners, the display Hawk Ultra Air makes 103 with an airframe parachute, tipping the scales at a completely proper 278 pounds empty. Read this article to learn more about Hawk as it celebrated 40 anniversary in 2022 (along with Part 103; botht came out in 1982). AQUILAE — The name means Eagle in Latin, a great name for an airplane even if everyone will ask how to spell it and say it — "Ack-will-lay." Does it look familiar to you. It did to me as I toured the ultralight area at AirVenture 2023. I had a hint, though. Mark Mellicker represented the G1 STOL at airshows for the last couple years (see this earlier article). As happens in aviation and any other business, events changed the organization and another company at AirVenture told me they were representing G1. So I had two clues when I saw Mark by this shiny new airplane. Mark decided to go on his own and, voila!, Aquilae. When I write more about this, you will see it has a wing-fold system that many buyers like. It's a large-ish, STOL-capable design like G1 but both G1 and Aquilae owe their design heritage to Alisport's Yuma from Italy, though even that design signficantly resembles the Zenith 701, the granddaddy of such designs. FUSION NANO GYRO — I will readily admit I was charmed by Fusion's Nano gyro when I saw it and reported on it from AirVenture 2021 (article). However, it needed a different engine and Jeffrey Boyd was already on it with European producer, Fusion Copter. At AirVenture, Jeffrey of FUN, or Fly Ultralight Nano, showed an example propelled by a Hirth F23 engine producing 50 horsepower. He says it has behaved well for him and he's actually had quite a success with this modestly-priced (less than $30,000) Part 103 aircraft. Big two seat gyros are fun and essential for training but once you know how to fly this type aircraft Nano might be the last aircraft you ever need. I tried it on for size in 2021 and loved the way it felt and fit. Now with more substantial and dependable power I'd bet many more will arrive in the USA. However, it's already been a good run as Fusion now has 35 flying around the world and Jonathan has lead the charge selling 21 units in the USA. That's a performance of which he can be proud. GOGETAIR 750 — As I wrap up this preview, I come to an aircraft I've seen for a few years at the German Aero Friedrichshafen show that I have enjoyed for 25 years. As I close this article, it may be appropriate to bring attention to a four seater — as that category will be coming in 16 months when we get Mosaic LSA or mLSA. Shannon Hankins & Alan Jackson from Scissortail Aerosport, LLC are representing the G750 to North America. GoGetAir is a fairly new company, arriving on the scene during what might be called the Covid era. They started before but had to immediately survive that trying period with their handsome aircraft. The timing of Scissortail and GoGetAir is marvelous, being right on the cusp of Mosaic being released. In the meantime, FAA has registration categories such Experimental Exhibition that allow import of a small number of fully-assembled aircraft to test the market. By late 2024 or early 2025, we should see Mosaic become official regulation and then G750 will easily fit the mLSA category assuming the company chooses to pursue and declare compliance with ASTM standards. Naturally, we have yet to learn how FAA will audit a new producer like GoGetAir although third-party audits have been discussed. In case you didn't notice the subtle suggestion in the photo, G750 is a four-seater, powered by the Rotax 915iS. This will be a very common combination when Mosaic officially arrives, but G750 also demonstrates style and a beautifully compound-curved leading and trailing edge wing. All the preceding aircraft will get their own fuller treatment beyond this summary.ARTICLE LINKS:
- Previous article written as Mosaic had first arrived; with almost 200 reader comments
- Proposed document in PDF form (318 pages)
- More recently released Federal Register document on Mosaic
- Same document as above, but in 3-column PDF format (may be the easiest to read/study; 90 pages)
- Link to EAA Radio, relating to the video below but offering lots more content
- Join ASTM if you wish to help with these standards; you will be welcomed
AIRCRAFT LINKS:
- Aeroprakt in the USA, at Heaven Bound
- CGS Hawk single seat aircraft
- Aquilae website
- FUN: Fly Ultralight Nano, including articles on this website
- GoGetAir in the USA; Scissortail Aerosport
It’s all over — EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, the world’s largest-attendance airshow event. It’s a delicious, if somewhat overwhelming, drink out of a firehose for an entire week. Oshkosh has something for every pilot and more than any one person can see. I’ll mention this news briefly as I wish to pay respect to fellow pilots. Two crashes on the weekend after we departed resulted in four fatalities reportedly including one passenger. My sincere condolences to the surviving families. Oshkosh has had safe years with no loss of life but when so many airplanes assemble, mathematical odds suggest a crash is going happen despite heroic efforts to make the event as safe as possible. During the week of Oshkosh, a few days were rather warm. Cooling rains came mostly at night, sparing the airshow but surely soaking campers in tents. The campgrounds were full to the edges and EAA opened multiple other locations to handle the overflow.
Aero Friedrichshafen 2022: Take a Quick Tour of Six Innovations in Light Aviation
GoGetAir Aviation
This is a new name for the already existing company from Slovenia. The former ONE Aicraft has now a new name and is called Gogetair. Their G750 aircraft is one of very few 2+2 aircraft with an MTOW of 750 kilograms (1,650 pounds*), which on first glance looks like a smaller version of Cirrus' piston SR-series. Though the term is no longer common, "2+2" indicates a second set of seats but ones with a smaller amount of leg room. A Cirrus weighs about twice as much as G750 but has a roomy aft seat. The all-composite G750 can be purchased as a kit or as factory-built RTF airplane. G750 attracted visitor's attention being really sleek, roomy, and exceptionally well refined. Iztok Solomon of Gogetair told us that he is aiming the U.S. market and is looking for dealers and part owners of the company.* This weight should easily fall under LSA rules in 2024. Note than many other present-day LSA models, American or built overseas, have also been designed to similar weights.
For More Info GoGetAir AircraftAvi Aircraft Dracula
The Romanian manufacturer of really affordable aircraft is known to Americans for their Swan 120 (see it at Oshkosh this year), a version of which can qualify for America's Part 103 regulation. Avi Aircraft has been successful selling their high-wing Swan 120, 115 (103 version), and two place 240 all around the world. At Aero 2022, this aircraft was one of few offerings powered either by internal combustion engine or electric motor. Avi reported selling 60% combustion engines and 40% electric drive, according to Mr. Berceanu Radu Mircea of Avi Aircraft. His big announcement at Aero 2022 was a new low-wing aircraft called Dracula. It is powered either by the two-stroke Polini for €31.200 (about $33,000 at today's exchange rate) or by a new adaptation of a Swiss Helvenco four-stroke, single-cylinder engine with 36 horsepower for €33.200 (about $35,000 today). Dracula can additionally be powered by electric motor, which sells for €31.200 + battery cost, up to four-pack at €2.400 per batter (a bit more than $2,500 each). For More Info: Avi AircraftNando Groppo
Nando Groppo from Italy is one of the most regular and successful exhibitors at Aero. This year Nando brought his complete aircraft range to Friedrichshafen, Germany. Nando is one of few European Ultralight manufacturers to offer his whole airplane range as ready-to-fly or in different kit packages. This year he has updated his models G70 and Trail. Nando's G70 is now additionally powered by a Rotax 914 Turbo or fuel-injected 912iS. Both engines are now certified for the new 600 kilogram (1,320 pound) rules in Germany; additionally G70 has now received even the glider tow option. Towing sailplanes aloft in Europe is a common activity. The real STOL of Nando Groppo is their tandem aircraft called Trail (video interview with Nando). It has been updated by the manual flap control which can be even set to negative deflection angles for higher cruise speed. For More Info: Nando GroppoJH Aircraft
Miniature Corsair goes electric! (This design has been sensationally popular with show attendees and readers. —DJ) In 2020, JH Aircraft from North Germany received the 120-Kilogram Class approval (roughly, Europe's version of Part 103) for its "Pocket-Corsair." In the future, Jörg Hollmann's 120 kilogram (265 pound) light miniature warbird replica will not only be available with a combustion three-cylinder radial engine, but also with an electric drive. The HPD20 motor is designed to deliver a maximum of 30 kW (about 40 horsepower). Battery packs should be available in three sizes (7, 10 and 14 kW/h). According to the manufacturer, Mini-Corsair can fly two hours with the biggest battery. The structure of the lightweight Corsair is all carbon fiber; this structure is covered with Oratex 600. For More Info: JH AircraftZongshen
Zongshen has specialized in two- and four-stroke engines for scooters and motorcycles. Now, they produce aircraft engines. The France-based company Air K Motors, is the official European distributor of Zongshen Aero Engines from China, and exhibited three new aviation engines for ultralight aircraft with 80 horsepower, 100 horsepower and a turbocharged engine with 115 horsepower. Variants of those engines could be found on several booths across the exhibition with and without fuel injection. The engines resemble the engines of Austrian manufacturer Rotax, down to the last detail. A fourth variant with 109 horsepower and electronic fuel injection is in the price list, too. The engines look so similar to the Rotax aircraft engine series that they are presumably copies. The C 80, 80 horsepower engine costs €12.900 (about $12,250), the C 100 costs €13.700 ($14,500) and the C 100 efi (fuel injected) costs €17.500 ($18,500) plus taxes (which in Europe adds 15-25%, depending on the country of sale). For More Info: Air K MotorsScaleWings Kit Aircraft
On your first view, the SW-51 Mustang scale replica looks like an original. Several years ago manufacturer ScaleWings presented this dazzling airplane that achieved its maiden flight about one year ago. The first flying aircraft — built from a kit — was showcased at Aero 2022. As reported here earlier, more than 100,000 details, such as rivets, panel joints, maintenance covers, and textile surfaces, are designed into the surface of the aircraft. It may look for all the world like a metal airplane (as was most of the original) but it is not metal. All those rivets and screws are "fakes" although they are done so perfectly you can barely tell even when you touch them. Indeed, ScaleWings SW-51 is made entirely of carbon fiber. This not only gives the mini-Mustang plenty of sex appeal, but also assures good flight characteristics. At their Aero Friedrichafen booth, Scalewings Business Development manager Sebastian Gluck told us that they hope to exhibit the aircraft at AirVenture Oshkosh 2022. Apparently it will be flown to the big summer show. For More Info — ScaleWings AircraftThese featured six are only part of the story of Aero Friedrichshafen. Stay tuned for more in the days ahead!
Next Year's Schedule
I so regretted missing Aero this year due to complications getting Covid documents (that turned out not to be needed, but I could not be certain of that when I needed to make reservations). It was even tougher because more than two weeks separated the end of Sun 'n Fun from the start of Aero, which is far less demanding. Fortunately, 2023 will be similar, with the events separated by more than two weeks. Hurray! Appearing below are dates for each. I pledge to attend and report from both shows next year.- Sun 'n Fun 2023 — March 28 to April 2, 2023
- Aero Friedrichshafen 2023 — April 19-22, 2023
Sun ‘n Fun started the recreational flying season as it always does, taking place this year in the beginning of April. Aero Friedrichshafen ended the month at the end of April. These two shows make April the strongest month of the year for airshows, certainly for the affordable aviation crowd. Aviation journalist and LAMA board director Marino Boric was able to find many worthy stories at the popular German show. People that know Marino — many of you pilots, but nearly every producer — are aware he is an energetic, superbly-informed, and technically-competent individual. I am pleased to present his work in this and additional articles to follow from the recently-completed Aero Friendrichshafen show in southern Germany. In this article, Marino provides a short bit about six interesting projects. Some of these you know; some you don’t. I hope you enjoy Marino’s quick tour. Look for more… soon.