While the DeLand event is still growing compared to those earlier events, it enjoys a beautiful new facility and will present a good selection of airplanes. When I asked attendees at last year's first Aero Showcase, most thought the organizers did credibly well.
The time of year is a perfect choice, judged from studying decades of detailed skydiving jump records — DeLand is a world center for sport parachuting. In addition, the snowbirds have not arrived en masse by early November, so restaurants have few waiting lists and hotel rooms and rental cars are more modestly priced than they will be from January through March.
Using the apron out front of the new terminal building makes it easy on visitors and vendors alike. The 
In keeping with a strong reputation built over many years, the news was presented clearly, honestly, and forthrightly. Founder Dick VanGrunsven spoke on behalf of his company.
"Van's currently faces serious cash flow issues, which must be addressed quickly to ensure ongoing operations," began Dick VanGrunsven. "We are confident we can work through this situation, but some changes are required."
Through mid-November this year, "shipments will be delayed, kit orders will not be processed, and refunds will not be issued. We will be unable to conduct factory tours and demo flights," said Van's.
Van's faced a sort of perfect storm that started when pandemic-driven price increases raised their costs. Then, an overseas contractor used an inferior primer, resulting in aluminum corrosion forming on a large number of kits. Next, Van's had some outsourced laser-cut parts that showed problems. Many builders alerted the company.
In this post, we’ll look at three news items affecting the affordable aviation community. This article touches on the last LSA event of the season plus two market leaders, one from the US and one international, each with significant news. Aero Showcase November 3-4, 2023 First up is some fun news to complete a vigorous year. In their second event, Aero Showcase is hosting a flock of airplanes at one of Florida’s most vibrant recreational aviation airports. Partners Alex Rolinski and Doma Andreka return for the second annual of their own event, which follows on the heels of the DeLand Showcase that ran several years, all of which grew out of the Sebring LSA Expo. While the DeLand event is still growing compared to those earlier events, it enjoys a beautiful new facility and will present a good selection of airplanes. When I asked attendees at last year’s first Aero Showcase, most thought the organizers did credibly well.
How about if the aircraft was essentially free? And what if you could choose between two highly-desirable models? What if the only cost to get your "lottery" ticket was to subscribe to a popular magazine?
Gee, fellow flying fans — I'd say that sounded like the bargain of 2023. It's the most lucrative giveaway that has been unveiled in the LSA space since it began almost 20 years ago.
A couple years ago, the magazine — long headquartered in New York — relocated to Chattanooga, Tennessee. A new organization took it over under the banner of Flying Media. After this major move, Flying first went to quarterly while it boosted its presence online. After a year getting the electronic side running at full speed, Flying Media returned the print magazine to monthly even while keeping its thick, premium look and feel. The pages are smartly designed and full of great images and content.
LSA enthusiasts may be particularly interested to hear the top man in the organization is an LSA pilot and enthusiast. The leading magazine will keep a focus on jets and other high-end aircraft, but they have a fond view of lighter aviation and have plans to expand such coverage. They say you'll hear more about this at Sun 'n Fun.
Flying magazine prize organizers said the winner can choose between the two aircraft. "Tecnam Astore is a great two-seat LSA featuring a Rotax 914 turbocharge engine, leather interior, and an all-glass cockpit." I have 
This year our favorite recreational flying area of the Lakeland show is sponsored by two leading names in aviation. Flying magazine is a sponsor of Paradise as is Junkers Aircraft.
You know the magazine but Junkers, though the brand may sound familiar, seems to recall an earlier time. Indeed, the storied German name has been around nearly a century, since the early days of aviation. Now… they're back and they are coming to America!
Welcome to Junkers and their American importer and partner, 
Most of us, including your author, tend to fly only fully-built aircraft while another group of equal size enjoys the building process — or at least this is a more affordable path to airplane ownership.
Roger truly enjoys his '650 on which he mounted a potent 130-horsepower 
With a whole stable of handsome aircraft — 
Although Roger scored a superbly-equipped, low-time P2008 (and paid a bit more for it), at least one other for sale, a 2009 model is asking $117,500 in early 2022. Honestly, a used example is a way many pilots could acquire one of these sharp airplanes.
Roger is a LSR-M LSA mechanic. Open the engine compartment doors and you'll see an engine so clean and tidy it looks like it has never been run. If you have the mechanical aptitude and training Roger has, your airplane ownership can be much more affordable. (Note that Roger also does maintenance work on the 
Tecnam's wing for the sleek P2008 is fairly conventional constant-chord shape except for a pinching at the wingroot/fuselage junction. Outboard, the trailing edge is gently tapered with slightly upturned wing tips. Frise ailerons span the outboard sections with discreet slotted flaps inboard. A single lift strut on each side braces the wings to the lower fuselage. On its tail P2008 has a stabilator-style constant-chord tailplane. Its vertical fin is gracefully swept.
Although Roger's P2008 has the turbo 914 engine, most P2008s are powered by Rotax's 912ULS. While Roger's P2008 has a three-blade prop, most models come with a two-blade propeller.
Cloth-covered seats match a fully-appointed interior that bares no metal or composite, hiding all linkages out of sight. An aft baggage space can hold 44 pounds. For P2008, Tecnam engineers enlarged both the cabin and doors aiding entry and exit and making your time aboard more comfortable. Either seat can be moved fore and aft at any time.
Fixed tricycle gear uses spring cantilever main legs and a castoring, non-steerable nosewheel with compressed rubber suspension. You steer on the ground using differential braking.
P2008's first flight took place September 30, 2008 and the first P2008 was delivered to the U.S. in December 2009.
All Tecnam models are revered for their "natural" handling. This is one of the most straightforward-flying LSA in the fleet. It can function as a capable cross country aircraft or could be used in flight training, though probably not with the turbocharged Rotax 914.
In my flight, the turbocharger added a very noticeable boost to depart the runway and enhances initial climb rate generously. We saw more than 1,200 feet per minute at near-sea-level operation. When you increase power, a detent you can feel with your throttle hand alerts you that the turbo is about to be engaged. After five minutes of use — enough to get to 5,000 feet or so — you need to back off the turbo but could employ it again for enroute climb or operations at very high elevation airports. While a more complex installation with somewhat higher maintenance needs, Roger says the 914 is quite easy to operate.
No wonder Tecnam has risen to be the largest builder of very light aircraft. If you are in the market for a luxury-class LSA, a P2008 on the used market could be your next airplane.
More information on Tecnam's P2008 from a video recorded earlier.
https://youtu.be/bYjLzHkVRo8
AirVenture Oshkosh is arguably the most important aviation event in the world each year, bringing people together from all points on the compass… or, at least it usually does.
For 2021, international representation was far below the usual. I don't have hard numbers but few of my overseas airshow friends could make this year's event.
One objective of mine was achieved when a trusted, reliable source provided me with hard data about the state of the light aviation industry around the world. Most readers know I follow the 
Do you think you have what it takes to fly around the world?
At minimum, such a trek involves lot of hours in a fairly confined space plus a challenging amount of waiting (for weather, maintenance, permission). At worst, it could be intimidating and dangerous, for example when crossing the frigid North Atlantic. You also have to cope with foreign languages and different customs. Your body clock would be catching up for weeks.
Zara has a good aviation foundation. She reports traveling in small planes since the age of six, skydiving at 11, and flying a plane at 14. After all that why not go for broke at 19? Ah, youth!
"I will be flying a 
The title isn't new.
For 14 years I wrote a column I called "The Light Stuff" for Kitplanes magazine. The column name was an adaptation of "The Right Stuff" movie about astronauts.
Through those years, a man I learned to deeply admire edited the publication. Many readers will recognize the name Dave Martin from earlier days. He had an impeccable reputation earned through thoroughness and fairness, capability and approachability. I could never slack off when preparing material for Dave. He could be a tough taskmaster but also acknowledged when a piece was good. My writing undoubtedly improved because of years of input he offered me. I so enjoyed working with him.
With sadness I note his passing, alerted by mutual friend Phil Lockwood, developer of the AirCam (photo) in which Dave is seated when the two made a flight to the Bahamas. So long, Dave! 
Fortunately, you can stay where it's warm and just watch — thanks to new videos from DeLand. While I missed my 
The following information and quotes come from a 
They elaborated that they chose both materials —making this a true composite — for the optimization of aerodynamic qualities, flight characteristic, and reliability. "This addition enabled [us] to make construction decisions based on optimum design and structural integrity rather than purely the cost of production."
P92 Echo MkII's interior has also been completely redone. "Doors are lined with automotive-type door seals, seats that give full support with excellent leg room, side map pockets as well as pockets in the back of the seats combine to make the MkII a very comfortable aircraft."
Tecnam has long boasted "uncompromising build quality" and P92 MkII has been built to meet requirements for Europe's CS/VLA standards for aircraft certified to this category. Tecnam offers models meeting the European ultralight category (different than the U.S. interpretation of that term), LSA ASTM standards, and Part 23 fully certified aircraft. They make models using twin Rotax power and an 11-seat regional aircraft (seen briefly in the video alongside the P92 MkII).
Beside "excellent visibility, roomy space, quiet and ergonomic," P92 uses an all-movable stabilator-type horizontal tail that is traditional on Tecnam aircraft. They say this "allows excellent controllability and excellent 'hands off' longitudinal stability." My own experience backs up this claim. Every Tecnam I've ever flown (most models) have superlative handling.
Inside P92 MkII, "the cabin offers newly designed seats and seat rails which are easily operated and adjustable fore and aft via a single handle with a reinforced area between the rails to make cabin access even easier." The company continued, "A roomy baggage compartment with internal access accommodates voluminous items. A comfortable armrest and USB charger round out the luxurious interior."
A generously sized instrument panel provides plenty of room for digital screen avionics although a base model is available with simple analog instruments. The model you see in the images and video represent the "Glass Package" featuring avionics from 
More from Aero as Day 3 closes. Because of the number on display — and because several readers asked — this post will focus on electric propulsion in two distinct forms. Whatever you think about electric as a means of lifting aircraft aloft, escaping its approach appears impossible. Experimentation is happening in all quarters. The following review is far from exhaustive; many other examples could be found at 
Beside taking the lead in this investigation, funded by the "European Union Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme," 
The big difference in this development compared to the H3PS project is that Toni flew the Comco Ikarus C-42 CS Elektro from his base near the factory to Aero. This hybrid is operating now. Technical information about the system was sparse on Toni's website, however, a German-language video (below) shows the aircraft operated essentially the same as its fossil fuel-powered counterparts.
When I spoke with Toni at the show. I recalled this man has has long experience with light trikes and hang glider propulsion systems based on electric power. He has gained valuable experience with these efforts and the results appear on his Comco C42C.
As an example of his state of development, the installation featured a cooling system but also a source of passenger comfort. A collar around the electric motor (white "doughnut" surrounding the motor) removes heat from the motor and channels it to the cabin. In the aft compartment, we saw a tidy installation of electric motor, generator, and a petrol fuel tank holding about 15 gallons.
You may have already jumped to the point about those wings being exactly where the 
The company is now taking their smooth aircraft and powering it with an electric motor. They call the project B23 H55 Energic. The motor can deliver 90 kW (122 horsepower) for takeoff at 900 fpm and 65 kW (88 horsepower) for continuous cruise power at 125 mph. Onboard batteries can deliver one hour of endurance with a 20-minute reserve. Fully recharging will take only about 30 minutes. BRM estimates the cost of operation at $7/hour, less than the cost of one gallon of fuel at current European prices for avgas.
To repeat, this is far from a complete list of electric projects. Indeed, all of Hall A-7 at Aero Friedrichshafen was electric, with the giant Siemens company hosting a particularly large display. With multi-billion-euro companies like this involved — along with other giants of aviation and technology — it is clear that electric propulsion is on its way. How soon? What range is possible? What is the full cost …and saving? These and more questions remain to be answered but the technology is getting closer with every Aero. Look for more reporting on this at next 
Tecnam P92 Mk II
Magnaghi SkyArrow
JH Aircraft Corsair
CSA Delta Cruiser
This week kicks off the truly gigantic trade show known by its sponsoring organization's abbreviation: 
I always find something of interest to the light aviation, recreational flying community. This year, I'm on the lookout for 
The big Italian company that LSA enthusiasts know very well through models such as P92, Sierra, and P2008 has a large and growing presence in global aviation. Their developments are broad and delve into aviation segments large and small. They are also getting ready to celebrate a benchmark birthday.
This year Tecnam Costruzioni Aeronautiche — most pilots simply say “
The Leica CityMapper is specifically designed for 3D city modelling and urban mapping. It is the world’s first hybrid airborne sensor combining both oblique and nadir imaging as well as a LiDAR system.
Tecnam has a large staff to accomplish these diverse projects while building as many as four aircraft a week. Even with many employees, however, this is a impressive penetration of all aviation's nooks and crannies.
My video partner must be working around the clock as he prepared a blizzard of videos for release starting November 1st.
As you see in the list below, 20 videos will soon be available. I hope you'll enjoy them.
Besides giving you info on various aircraft to see at the event, we hope to encourage you to attend 
According to a local newspaper, "More than 6,000 people are expected on the DeLand Municipal Airport Thursday, November 2 through Saturday, the 4th, to inspect more than 100 aircraft."
The reporter went on to say that DeLand expects to "top the 1,000 flight operations recorded last year."
Hours all three days are 9 AM to 5 PM. General admission for adults costs $20 each day, or $40 for a three-day pass. Lower prices are available for youth aged 11-17 and kids under 10 get in free. The entrance and free parking for DeLand Showcase are off Industrial Way on the northwest side of the airport.
Here's the posting schedule for the gusher of videos you can watch. All these aircraft are expected at DeLand.
Nov. 1, 2017 10 a.m. 
Nov. 1, 2017 8 p.m. 
Nov. 1, 2017 11 p.m. 
We lost one of the good ones recently. You may not have met or even know this man, but you certainly know — and may absolutely love — the airplanes he created.
