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News & Video on Light-Sport Aircraft, Sport Pilot Kits, and Ultralight Aircraft

AB Flight

Website: http://abflight.com/index.html

Email: info@abflight.com

Phone: 610-762-9909

Sebring, FL 33870 - USA

It’s Almost Here! — Sun ‘n Fun 2023 Theme “The Magic of Aviation” and “The Island”

By Dan Johnson || 4 Comments

Whoo, Hoo! It's almost showtime! April 2023 seems destined to finally overcome all the Covid baggage as attendees sign up in droves for Sun 'n Fun. With a delicious 10-day spacing between them — time to rest up a bit after a vigorous week — later in April comes Aero Friedrichshafen. Get ready for plenty of reporting from these two events. Both events have new leadership in 2023. A time for changes. Fresh ideas are emerging. What can you expect at this years airshows? With Sun 'n Fun 2023 starting in about two weeks as this is written, let's focus on Lakeland, Florida first. Organizers of the 49th event announced major plans for this popular airshow that kicks off the recreational flying season. My focus is on LSA, Sport Pilot kits, and ultralights. At Sun 'n Fun, that means Paradise City, where big things are happening. You would not be wrong if you scanned this article and saw increased interest in this part of the overall Sun 'n Fun grounds.

Friendly Island

Hey, I have one on my new iPhone and now Sun 'n Fun will have one, too. Apple calls their design "Dynamic Island." Sun 'n Fun is even simpler with "The Island." What could this mean?

Gene Conrad is the new head of Sun 'n Fun. He outlines plans to change the grounds at the Lakeland Florida show. Blue arrow points to Paradise City, white arrow points to "The Island," yellow arrow points to the former Piper building to help orient those familiar with the grounds.

"The Island" is a new customer service center for Sun 'n Fun 2023 that illustrates how attention is shifting East on the grounds. This will not lessen the appeal or crowd density in what they once called the "core area," but is demonstrates that under new leadership the Lakeland event plans to better use the available area to the east of where Warbirds have been  (however, no change to the Warbird area location). To get a better picture plus the thinking of the new big guy at Sun 'n Fun, Gene Conrad, check out the video below.

A big attraction in Paradise is the evening STOL competition. Last year, Steve Henry's 300-horsepower modified Just Aircraft has wowed crowds with incredible performance. You can close to the action if you arrive early enough.

The overall effect I predict: This will boost activity in Paradise City, which is now right on the way from the core area to The Island …at least via road. You can also get to this new area from airside and via a new tram route. Perhaps it is the potent combination of new leadership and bubbling pilot energy. Perhaps new attention is related to the coming Mosaic regulation. No matter, the area known to many readers as Paradise City or the Ultralight Area — or Light Planes, as Sun 'n Fun now labels it — appears newly energized for 2023. This follows a solid year in 2022 when the overall market sector I follow was up a healthy 18% (in aircraft registrations) over 2021. So, 2023 could be an exciting year in Paradise City.

Area Sponsors

This year the overall area has two major sponsors. This is not new. Sun 'n Fun has long had sponsors for the area but not of the capability of this year's pair. Everyone who has ever looked at an airplane knows Flying magazine. The new owner of this storied title is an LSA enthusiast himself so no surprise that he wanted to help this area. The magazine is giving away a high-end LSA as part of a subscription offer. The other sponsor is a new aircraft manufacturer, Junkers Aircraft. The historical German company has partnered with Waco Aircraft to build the distinctive A50 Junior as a Special Light-Sport Aircraft in Battle Creek, Michigan. Junkers will have a flight-line display at the center of Paradise City. Both Flying magazine and Junkers have big news to announce at Sun 'n Fun 2023. The LSA Mall again provides a central exhibit in Paradise City. The LSA Mall is sponsored in 2023 by several enterprises: Aero Affinity, Deland Municipal Airport, Evektor, and Bristell. As it has been for 16 years, the LSA Mall is hosted by LAMA, the Light-Sport Aircraft Aircraft Manufacturers Association. Rotax Aircraft Engines will once again sponsor two six-seat golf carts to help you get to and from Paradise City. Rotax pays for the golf carts and Paradise City volunteers drive them all day following a route from the core area (by the food court) to the LSA Mall. They can also go to "The Island" to help assure getting to Paradise City is easier than ever. This a free service thanks to Rotax. A closing thought to all attendees from our friends at AVweb, "Very important: Buy your parking pass online for $10; it’s $20 if bought at the gate." Sun 'n Fun announced tickets are selling at above-average rates, so you are advised to plan ahead and use their online ticket purchase system. AVweb also links to a couple other useful videos in their Sun 'n Fun 2023 preview article. See you in Lakeland!

ARTICLE LINKS:

https://youtu.be/jeLblxjyxGo

Whoo, Hoo! It’s almost showtime! April 2023 seems destined to finally overcome all the Covid baggage as attendees sign up in droves for Sun ‘n Fun. With a delicious 10-day spacing between them — time to rest up a bit after a vigorous week — later in April comes Aero Friedrichshafen. Get ready for plenty of reporting from these two events. Both events have new leadership in 2023. A time for changes. Fresh ideas are emerging. What can you expect at this years airshows? With Sun ‘n Fun 2023 starting in about two weeks as this is written, let’s focus on Lakeland, Florida first. Organizers of the 49th event announced major plans for this popular airshow that kicks off the recreational flying season. My focus is on LSA, Sport Pilot kits, and ultralights. At Sun ‘n Fun, that means Paradise City, where big things are happening. You would not be wrong if you scanned this article and saw increased interest in this part of the overall Sun ‘n Fun grounds.

Evektor is the LSA More Flight Schools Use — Now Jet Access Joins the Fleet

By Dan Johnson || 14 Comments

Did you read "Jet Access" and think this article was not for you? I get that but please read further. Jet Access is not about airlines or military. It isn't even about jet engines or biz jets. It is about flight school operations and which aircraft the operators find optimal. Spoiler Alert: Light-Sport Aircraft win. Here's the question of the hour: "Why are leading flight schools world wide choosing Evektor LSA to replace their aging legacy fleet of flight training aircraft?" The question is posed by Evektor's U.S. Director of Fleet Sales, Steve Trerotola. Answers follow…

Evektor Is #1… Forever

You may not have heard quite as much from Evektor over the last couple years. That's because they've been head-down puzzling over America's legal system, a challenge for many foreign producers. Based in a different country, some manufacturers feel insulated from lawsuits but given America is by far the world's largest aviation market, well… it's wise to think differently. The legal issue is not the subject of this article, but now that the matter has successfully been resolved, the Czech producer is back in action and raring to go. For the three U.S.-based representatives — Steve Minnich's Dreams Come True, or Art Tarola's AB Flight, or Steve Treretola's western dealership, Sunrise Aviation — the cloudy skies have given way to bright sunshine and a warmer climate. One thing no one can ever take away from Evektor is their #1 position as the first Light-Sport Aircraft ever to be accepted by FAA seventeen years ago at Sun 'n Fun 2005. Evektor and Flight Design, with the SportStar and CT respectively, were the first two LSA accepted at an opening day ceremony and Evektor was the very first. Starting almost immediately, Evektor proved to be a winner in flight school operations and that success obviously continues.

Big New Order Logged

Recently, Evektor in the USA booked an order for a dozen new Evektor Harmony LSA with the potential for as many as 100 more. Such numbers in Light-Sport aviation are more than attention-getting. This is a big order. Good for Evektor but good for all in the LSA community. Stronger manufacturers means better service and more innovation for all customers. Jet Access began as a jet-share organization but realized that building their flight school operation was a worthy path to follow. Anyone paying attention to an impending pilot shortage is already aware of this potential. This Indiana company runs established flight schools and has plans to acquire more. "They plan to equip all these with Evektor aircraft, which they've seen as a great training aircraft that produces better pilots quicker and costs much less to operate than brand new or legacy GA designs," said Steve Treretola. "We'll also have some interesting news at Sun 'n Fun," predicted Art Tarola. As the season-opening show begins, make your way to Evektor's display near the turf runway in Paradise City (space LP-001) to learn more. John Mauch, Jet Access' Chief Flight Instructor and Director of Operations said, "We are the 10th largest charter in the world based on flight hours. Jet Access is the only vertically integrated aviation enterprise at a national scale. We do charter, Part 91 jet management, brokerage, FBO management, full service Part 145 MRO, Part 61 and 141 flight training with collegiate program management." "Headquartered in Indianapolis, Jet Access has chosen Evektor for the same reason organizations have chosen primary trainers for the last 100 years: they are two-place, light and frisky, durable, easy-to-fly and maintain, with a high dispatch rate, plus low fuel burn and operating costs," explained west coast rep', Steve Treretola. "The Evektors are technically advanced aircraft with glass cockpits and autopilots," echoed John. He added, "This prepares our students for modern piloting that improves safety, while still focusing on stick and rudder skills due to flight characteristics of the Evektors. They’re also larger inside than legacy trainers with far better visibility and cabin airflow." With airplanes Jet Access has on order for Q3 2022 delivery, they will operate about 80 aircraft, the company elaborated. John Mauch is an ATP instructor with experience in Cessna, Piper, and Cirrus models. He instructed for Larry Gehrig's Sport Pilot Chicago for three years. "After flying Evektors John had no desire to return to the previous 'standard' flight school aircraft," said Steve Minnich of Evektor dealer Dreams Come True. Sport Pilot Chicago continues seven-day-a-week operation with three Evektors: a Sportstar, Sportstar SL, and a Harmony. "The Evektor fleet has amassed over one million flight hours," Steve Treretola added. "Evektor is built using traditional metal construction, has a fuel burn of four gallons per hour, and has a 2,000-hour engine TBO making it an ideal 21st century successor to the famous trainers of the past including the ubiquitous Cessna 150 and 152 plus the Piper Cherokee series." Treretola observed that Jet Access chief pilot, John Mauch has amassed several thousand hours instructing in Evektor Harmony and knows the brand well. "With that experience, Jet Access felt comfortable placing an initial order for a dozen Harmony aircraft and has optioned a total of 100 [with delivery] spread out over a number of years," Steve reported.

About Evektor Harmony

"Evektor currently has delivered 1,400 LSA worldwide," Steve noted, adding that "half of them are in flight schools or aero clubs." The balance are owned by individuals, he said. Why are Evektor models so popular in flight schools? It might not be what you think, given that nearly all pilots trained in American schools over the last half century have learned on yoke-equipped aircraft. "These are great stick and rudder platforms," Steve Treretola explained. "They create good pilots." Properly equipped, Evektor's LSA can qualify as TAA, or Technically Advanced Aircraft, and are thereby suitable for not only primary but instrument and commercial training. Evektor is a leading design, engineering and aircraft manufacturing group from the Czech Republic. It has become one of the world´s most recognized manufacturers of Light-Sport Aircraft whose factory in the south of Czech has been in aircraft production since 1936. It makes sales in 40 countries and employs a staff 400 people. Evektor has gone far beyond LSA with their four seat Super Cobra (nearby photo) developed some years ago and a twin-engine turboprop regional airliner called EV-55 Outback. These are far outside my coverage of aviation but show the depth of experience and knowledge within Evektor. Years ago I visited their factory in Kunovice, Czech to see them building the SportStar LSA. It was an impressive facility and the region is highly aviation oriented so an abundance of talented workers is available. Evektor is also very active in design and development work for the automotive industry. I hope to see you at Sun 'n Fun 2022 coming in mere days as this is written. If you can't make it, stay tuned to this website and I'll do my best to keep you informed. Watch for a preview article coming soon…

Did you read “Jet Access” and think this article was not for you? I get that but please read further. Jet Access is not about airlines or military. It isn’t even about jet engines or biz jets. It is about flight school operations and which aircraft the operators find optimal. Spoiler Alert: Light-Sport Aircraft win. Here’s the question of the hour: “Why are leading flight schools world wide choosing Evektor LSA to replace their aging legacy fleet of flight training aircraft?” The question is posed by Evektor’s U.S. Director of Fleet Sales, Steve Trerotola. Answers follow… Evektor Is #1… Forever You may not have heard quite as much from Evektor over the last couple years. That’s because they’ve been head-down puzzling over America’s legal system, a challenge for many foreign producers. Based in a different country, some manufacturers feel insulated from lawsuits but given America is by far the world’s largest aviation market, well… it’s wise to think differently.

Evektor Approvals in Europe (EASA) and China (CAAC)

By Dan Johnson || Leave a Comment

Forever, Evektor will remain the very first Special Light-Sport Aircraft approved by the FAA, beating Flight Design's CT series by a small margin. Both were the first SLSA ever accepted* by FAA and that will never change. Just like in the Olympics, it's good to come in first. People remember. More recently, Evektor continued their prowess at gaining the seal of approval from regulatory authorities, and in two other regions besides the USA. If you've ever inspected a SportStar or Harmony, you might quickly see why the Czech company keeps passing the test; they produce some beautiful aircraft.

EASA Approval

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) recently certified* Evektor's SportStar RTC — which the company calls its "training aircraft" — with the popular Garmin G3X Touch Glass Cockpit, reported Evektor. G3X Touch is a digital integrated avionics system built with a native infrared touchscreen interface. G3X offers advanced capabilities including synthetic vision technology with terrain and obstacle alerting, detailed moving map, and advanced air traffic information. SportStar RTC G3X Touch is equipped with two 10.6-inch G3X displays offering dual Air Data and Attitude and Heading Reference System (ADAHRS) and Engine Monitoring System (EMS). SportStar RTC further includes a Garmin GNC 255 Nav/Com radio and a Garmin GTX328 transponder. The Kansas company's Aera 500 is optional. The first SportStar RTC so wonderfully equipped will be delivered to Aeroklub Montpelier in France this February with a second in March. Evektor reported having another 10 such aircraft in production. "SportStar RTC enjoys growing popularity among flight training organizations and air clubs globally," stated the company.

CAAC Approval

In September 2017, a team of the inspectors from the Certification Division of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) audited Evektor with focus on production of details and assembly, storage processes, material flow, and design organization support. A CAAC audit team reviewed quality systems throughout the factory located in the south of the Czech Republic, an area rich with aviation enterprises. "Evektor delivers to China its CAAC Certified Light Sport Aircraft SportStar SL that enjoys growing popularity among the air clubs on the Chinese market," said the company. "A regular CAAC audit reconfirmed Evektor is in full compliance with all CAAC requirements for further deliveries of SportStar SL to the Chinese market." Evektor has now been “quality audited by the CAAC of China together with aviation production certified by Czech Civil Aviation Authority and the European EASA according to Part 21 … [proving] the basis for the quality of Evektor aircraft”, stated Jaromír Matuška, Quality Manager of Evektor-Aerotechnik. In the USA, Evektor is represented by Art Tarola and his A-B Flight company and by Steve Minnich's Dreams Come True company. Evektor-Aerotechnik boasts almost 50 years experience in aircraft production and has a fleet of 1,300+ aircraft operating in 50 countries. * In the case of EASA and CAAC "certified" may be the correct term, but in the USA, Special Light-Sport Aircraft are not "certified." Instead they are "accepted" by FAA. This differentiates SLSA from Type Certified models, such as those created by Cirrus or Cessna.

Forever, Evektor will remain the very first Special Light-Sport Aircraft approved by the FAA, beating Flight Design’s CT series by a small margin. Both were the first SLSA ever accepted* by FAA and that will never change. Just like in the Olympics, it’s good to come in first. People remember. More recently, Evektor continued their prowess at gaining the seal of approval from regulatory authorities, and in two other regions besides the USA. If you’ve ever inspected a SportStar or Harmony, you might quickly see why the Czech company keeps passing the test; they produce some beautiful aircraft. EASA Approval The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) recently certified* Evektor’s SportStar RTC — which the company calls its “training aircraft” — with the popular Garmin G3X Touch Glass Cockpit, reported Evektor. G3X Touch is a digital integrated avionics system built with a native infrared touchscreen interface.

DeLand 2017 Day One is History; Flying the Evektor Harmony LSA (Video)

By Dan Johnson || 3 Comments

We spent the first day of the second year of this event zooming around DeLand Showcase 2017 shooting several videos for you and I have a sample MiniVideo for you to view. This short take is modest compared to the more professionally-edited ones my video partner SportAviationMagazine.com will produce from the footage we shot today. Here's the link to Videoman Dave's YouTube channel where you can find hundreds more. Long days at the show filled with interviews, photo taking, and discussions with industry leaders and aircraft representatives swallow most of the available time. Yet these brief videos provide quick views and I hope to add more at DeLand and other events. Offer a comment if you like them. The Evektor Harmony LSA is represented in the USA by Dreams Come True, run by Steve Minnich (who by the way has flown the subject aircraft some 700 hours …though the aircraft obviously has received plenty of care and attention). Dreams Come True is located in Ohio. Steve's associate in American sales of Evektor products is Art Tarola of AB Flight located in Pennsylvania.

Enjoy this quick look at Harmony LSA

https://youtu.be/ARGiIrs946Y

We spent the first day of the second year of this event zooming around DeLand Showcase 2017 shooting several videos for you and I have a sample MiniVideo for you to view. This short take is modest compared to the more professionally-edited ones my video partner SportAviationMagazine.com will produce from the footage we shot today. Here’s the link to Videoman Dave’s YouTube channel where you can find hundreds more. Long days at the show filled with interviews, photo taking, and discussions with industry leaders and aircraft representatives swallow most of the available time. Yet these brief videos provide quick views and I hope to add more at DeLand and other events. Offer a comment if you like them. The Evektor Harmony LSA is represented in the USA by Dreams Come True, run by Steve Minnich (who by the way has flown the subject aircraft some 700 hours …though the aircraft obviously has received plenty of care and attention).

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