In our original post, we linked to video of the TrueLite performing taxi tests. Now it’s done better: flying! See the new videos below as Chip Erwin documents the first flights of the TrueLite happening now in Florida. Those of us looking for pure flying in lightweight form can’t help but be intrigued by the TrueLite ultralight, marketed here by Chip Erwin’s Aeromarine company. “The taxi test went fine. I didn’t have any airspeed reading so I’ll have to see what’s going on there,” Erwin says in the video. While the 36 hp Vittorazzi Cosmos 300 ran a bit hot during the taxi tests, he feels it was because it sat idling for 5 minutes before the test, saying that it cooled down once he got moving. Here’s a sampling of videos related to the TrueLite.
A few sources confirmed $1,000 is a common fee. Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying a check ride isn't worth that much; it's merely a bigger number than expected, although my young pilot friend still has to come up with that amount of dough. Whew!
When friends and family complain about grocery store prices or the cost of air travel, I shrug and say, "Tell me something that has not gone up by 50 or 100% in the last three years." No one loves the situation but those are economic facts. The cost of everything is up, a lot. Why would a Private check ride not be subject to the same market forces?
To finish an airplane in Spain for this year's show in Lakeland, the team must make sure everything is right, prepare TrueLite for shipment, cross the ocean, pass Customs, get it delivered locally, and finally get it checked out and ready for close examination at Sun 'n Fun. All that needs to happen in 10 weeks. I'm telling you after many years of reporting such developments — that will be a challenge.
Aviad owner and TrueLite designer Francesco Di Martino proceeded this rush of activity with more of his own. He relocated his production facility, established operations at the new quarters and has produced a TrueLite for American debut in his new facility (nearby images).
On a recent trip to Spain, Chip expressed, "I checked out Francesco's new long wing with slotted flaps installed on the TrueLite in Spain." He also noted the improved wing tip, saying, "Francesco is waiting on good flying weather for the test flights." After this last modification is proved, the plan is for that aircraft to travel across the Atlantic Ocean to Sun 'n Fun.
"TrueLite has electric flaps operating twin teleflex cables," Chip added. "The control and flap indicator will be on the instrument panel. And, TrueLite's wings still fold in under two minutes by a single person!"
"Come see this cool ultralight at Sun 'n Fun this April," Chip urged!
"The engine is working great! …and I was able to reduce fuel consumption to 5 liters hour (about 1.25 gallons per hour) at a lower cruise speed but I can maintain the same 95-100 kilometers per hour (59-63 miles per hour) at same rpm as before with the shorter wing!
"I'm sure that once people test TrueLite, they'll love it. It's incredibly safe at any speed and with any flap angle. It practically eliminates the risk of accidental stall.
"Last, I put [TrueLite] on scales yesterday. It weighed 114 kilograms (251 pounds) so even a parachute is not required to stay legal [although adding the parachute adds no weight penalty].
"I'll take some time to write a blog post on my page and share all my thoughts (see Aviad link above)."
"TrueLite is a fresh new ultralight design with a very nice feature that the wing can be folded for transport in only two minutes. This feature is huge as hangars are not only difficult to find but very expensive." Any pilot seeking hangar space almost anywhere is aware Chip is right. "TrueLite owners can roll their aircraft up on a small custom trailer for transport to their home garage," Chip finished.
He identified that TrueLite's folding wings open up many possibilities like:
"To better meet the Part 103 parameters, Aeromarine has commissioned Aviad to build a longer wing with large slotted flaps incorporated. This new wing will also increase the endurance on our planned electric-powered version," Chip ventured.
"I am here working side-by-side with Francesco to make this first prototype wing. Francesco has completed the design in SolidWorks 3D software," Chip observed. "We are then cutting and bending and assembling the parts to assure perfect match-hole fit and finish. We have just completed the new flaps and now are preparing the wing and spar parts. In the next few days the wing will be assembled."
"Then we will install the new wings on the original TrueLite for a series of test flights. Once verified and proven, we will build a new airframe for the wing. This completely new TrueLite will be the first production model and will be shipped to Florida in time for flight demos and display at 
"In addition to our aircraft kits, we now offer fully assembled aircraft," he finished.
TrueLite can meet common European regulations such as Germany's 120-Kilo Class or UK's SSDR. Many European nations handle what they call ultralights (with gross weights about 1,000 pounds) via country-by-country regulation, where LSA types increasingly follow EU-wide EASA regulations.
In the USA, Florida-based Aeromarine-LSA will assemble TrueLites in their collaboration with Paul Mather's M-Squared operation in Alabama (
Here are unedited views of Francesco flying TrueLite, which is now preparing to enter production. NOTE the sound is natural. 
"The new and very modern Polini 303DS engine is gaining my trust. It has worked flawlessly. But with the glide ratio of the Merlin Lite and the low landing speed and big tires an off-airport landing is not likely to be an issue. Still, I like to have confidence in my power system and I am beginning to think that this engine is a lot more reliable than our 1980s engines.
"Our new electric power system will be perfect for this aircraft. Our target of one-hour flight endurance is likely to be exceeded and with only a 9 Kwh battery pack. The electric-powered Merlin Lite will really make an excellent motor-glider. No re-start issues.
"Soon we will be flying the Merlin Lite on our 750 straight floats. Expect to see some really nice video of those flights. Flying any seaplane is about the best flying there is. Imagine flying an electric-powered seaplane! Quiet, slow, smooth, perfect at low altitudes.
"For those wanting a bit more speed we will still offer the original wings. That version is also a hoot to fly.
"Part 103 ultralights must meet quite strict weight and speed requirements. 27 mile per hour stall, 63 mile per hour top speed, and 254 pounds empty, or 278 pounds empty with a whole airframe rescue parachute. Of course, every manufacturer of ultralights offers a model that meets those parameters. But no one buys it. Every customer adds some options. Of course, the Merlin Lite complies with Part 103. We have proven it. Just choose your options to meet your flying preferences. Call me for advice. We will make the perfect aircraft custom for you."
That's what Chip thinks. What do you think?
A ready-to-fly Merlin Lite landplane lists for a confirmed price of $34,000 in fall of 2023. By itself, for an all-metal aircraft of these features, that seems an exceptional value.
For the long wings, add $5,000 so now $39,000 RTF. For assembled, painted floats with all installation hardware for Merlin Lite, add $7,600.
Now we're at $46,600, so even with freight and other delivery expenses you should have a full aircraft as seen in nearby images for less than $50,000. As we head into 2024, I'd call that a bargain for a Part 103 floatplane motorglider.
In the last couple years, I've created videos with Merlin developer, Chip Erwin that have been among the most-watched on Dave Loveman's Light Sport and Ultralight Flyer 
In more recent years, the Merlin Lite erupted onto the Part 103 scene, lighting up cyberspace in a way very rarely seen. The design emerged during the darkest days of Covid delivering a much-needed breath of fresh air.
At the 
Chip is far from done.
In 2022 we saw the emergence of the Merlin Lite as a motorglider and in 2023 we saw yet another long wing Merlin Lite fitted with floats, an "ultralight motorglider floatplane."
I need to go back in time briefly to remind readers that Chip Erwin is also the man who created what became known as PiperSport, more correctly called the 
Clearly, this is a developer who knows how to bring an aircraft to market and put it into production. It's taking some time for him to bring Merlin completely online because he is doing this in the modern way. Components are coming from various places around the world, where Chip established connections after years of globetrotting.
Now he is joining together aircraft elements. One of those was a set of floats that he developed during the Czech Aircraft Works days. Chip has deep experience with water flying and long ago developed metal floats as demonstrated by the straight (non-amphibious) floats seen nearby.
Paul told me of new equipment he has acquired to facilitate assembly of Merlin Lites. "This is a very straightforward kit," Paul observed. He has several coming together at this time. Those that have been waiting for the Merlin Lite will see their delivery times get closer.
We have a "year back log" Chip said on a recent phone conversation. USA assembly is now operating and delivering and that should steadily pull down the back log. "Paul has the skills, the facilities, the knowledge, and the tools to consistently build aircraft. He is also a longtime FAA Designated Airworthiness Representative (DAR)," so Paul knows exactly what is permitted under agency rules.
As a Part 103, Merlin Lite can be fully built for you and delivered ready-to-fly if you wish. The kit version is quite straightforward as I have reported in the past. Some people may prefer to build it to add further equipment than permitted under Part 103.
As a Part 103 vehicle, no medical is needed. As an EAB, only a driver license is needed. In the case of motorglider, no medical is needed after you prove you can fly a glider and can operate a motorglider. These skills are not particularly challenging but a few steps are involved. The reward you can now fly an aircraft faster (and heavier) than a Part 103 vehicle but still has no medical requirement.
What you didn't know is that this idea was unique enough to win a patent. That's uncommon in recreational aviation, though, of course, an idea like this may go far beyond sport flying.
Chip Erwin is one of those restless people who probably lays awake night cooking multiple ideas in his brain at the same time. Many industries have their "Elon Musk" type who moves forward on several fronts despite plenty of people telling him he can't do what he does every day.
As the mainstream media hyperfocuses on multicopter air taxi ideas consuming vast amounts of money (why media pays attention in the first place), people like Chip have different thoughts about using electric power on aircraft. Depod is one of those concepts.
Depod is not intended for 
Indeed, Chip's term sounds made-for-military. DEPOD is awkward but does describe the idea.
NASA likes distributed electric propulsion (DEP), spending millions. Chip added the "on demand" part, spending thousands. His appears to be a clever, effective, and simpler way to use electric propulsion on an aircraft.
Let's learn what Chip has to say about the development.
"Now covered by two U.S. patents (see at bottom) this new on-demand propulsion system gives the pilot instant added thrust for takeoff or for a go-around, and instant reverse thrust to allow shorter landing rolls," explain Chip.. "It helps achieve extreme short takeoff and landing performance in three ways, and it provides added aircraft 'envelope protection'."
Chip continued…
These small wing motors, used briefly to enhance a phase of flight, need only a battery you can hold in your hand because they are not primary thrust power (though they add a good measure to the total).
Accelerating airflow over ailerons is very helpful to slow speed flight but it is not a new theory. You may have seen photos of a modified Tecnam Twin with multiple small electric motors lined up all along the leading edge. NASA calls this "distributed lift" and at its base, this and Depod are not so different.
By pushing air across the aileron, a Merlin Lite with these small motors buried in the wings could maintain control down to nearly zero airspeed. The small wing-mounted motor also helps generate more lift, making for very short takeoffs. “It could cut takeoff roll by three times,” Chip suggested.
Let's begin with a focus on the modest cost of Merlin. I promote affordable aviation all day long. That word "affordable" means something different to every single pilot so every time I use the word someone is going to tell me, "It's still too expensive."
First, among the better-informed recreational pilot population, virtually all know what a Part 103 ultralight is but most think they remain a small percentage of the aircraft being sold to pilots each year. Many also think a legitimate three-axis Part 103 is no more than a fantasy — one critique is that most fixed-wing 103 entries exceed allowed weight.
Secondly, the less-well-informed general pilot population has heard of Part 103 but often believe those aircraft mostly disappeared back in the last century and are only seen rarely these days.
In numerous conversations, I've expressed my belief that Part 103 ultralights sell at approximately the rate of new Light-Sport Aircraft. Most folks find that hard to believe. I understand but this reveals how invisible these flying machines tend to be. Part 103 ultralights are frequently flown from fields, distant from controlled airports. As they don't fly fast or make a lot of noise they somewhat dissolve into the background of aviation.
Those who enjoy them feel differently and know better. The organizers of the 
Chip has a long background that many know. He was the originator of the SportCruiser that remains one of the top LSA sellers in the USA. He developed the affordable 
It appears the rebadged model is truly ultralight but what's more valuable to Yankee enthusiasts may be the Made-in-America approach Chip is taking with partner Paul Mather (of 
The collaborators will offer dual configurations: an advanced kit and fly-away model, either possible thanks to the gentle regulation of 
The designer and Chip say that TrueLite will cruise at the maximum speed allowed under Part 103 and consume only two gallons per hour. Even with Part 103's tight limit of five gallons maximum, this leaves more than two hours of flying (at cruise power setting).
Aeromarine plans to offer all-inclusive quick-build kits for $25,000. "These easy-to-ship kits take only about 100 hours to assemble," said Chip "and kits include the EFIS, parachute, engine, and prop. All you need to add is your labor and some paint."
Because the Part 103 regulation allows, Erwin and Mather will also offer fully assembled and test-flown TrueLites for $29,500 including airframe parachute and EFIS.
The first public display of the TrueLite and the TrueLite on floats is planned for the 
The last two-stroke offered by the big Austrian engine manufacturer — builder of the ubiquitous 9-series four-stroke engines — was the Rotax 582. Producing 65 horsepower and earning a good reliability rating over many years, the 582 has been a dependable powerplant for the lightest powered aircraft that are larger and heavier than genuine Part 103 ultralights.
At Midwest 2020, Chip also introduced an engine he called Hybird. No, not hybrid (I had to correct my spellchecker three times on that one; it did not like Chip's alteration of the letters).
"The Aeromaine Vtwin is a 60 horsepower, liquid cooled, four-stroke, fuel-injected, electronic-ignition engine with electric starting," Chip summarized. "This engine incorporates state-of-the-art technology with decades of reliable history and many in service," he reinforced.
An engine built in the thousands per month makes a solid foundation yet it isn't factory ready to be mounted on an airplane. That requires some added components.
"Our matching reduction drive with custom CAD-designed and matched propeller results in the perfect power system for the Merlin aircraft at an excellent price," Chip maintains. "The Vtwin engine is supplied with a reduction drive and complete Merlin firewall forward package including including: engine mount, Merlin cowl, Aeromarine-LSA carbon propeller and spinner, radiator, and all fittings.
Why did Chip venture down this path? Wasn't developing an airframe and its many aspects enough challenge? The departure of HKS from the aviation market was one driver.
"The void in the availability of a 50-60 horsepower, four-stroke aircraft engine may be one reason that there are few single-seat aircraft," Chip speculated. "Rotax has reduced their offers of two-stroke engines and most pilots prefer four-cycle."
To install on the Merlin, Aeromarine LSA offers a complete package of firewall-forward components for $10,750, including engine mount, Merlin cowl, Aeromarine carbon propeller and spinner, radiator, and all fittings.
If you want features that exceed a Part 103 Merlin Lite, you will need to assemble a kit so you might like to see an example of the instruction quality. 
Beside importing aircraft to the USA and helping customers build them, Chip experimented with 
Flight testing is ongoing but stall speeds are estimated at 63 kilometers per hour or 34 knots for the short wing, 60 km/h (32 knots) for the long wing, and 52 km/h (28 knots) for the long wing with flap. Francesco will need to slow it another 4 knots to meet 
"Accessories, engine, and instruments are included in the kit but will be shipped separately," said Francesco. "A customer will receive the airframe kit with all necessary to start the work, and a second shipment will bring the accessories.
Maybe I should clarify: I mean the on-site camera work plus the keeping track of what we're doing next, handling a load of gear, planning the next day's video stories, downloading huge video files each evening and placing them somewhere to be used later, and charging up everything you own as you sleep. While we're shooting a video, Dave takes a director's view of where we're going and guides us along. He's also very aircraft-savvy so if we lack a piece of information, he can often provide it. The show must go on, you know.
Despite the challenges of working at a great distance, I've been sending loads of raw video up to Dave in Canada and he has been editing away hour upon hour. In this article, I want to introduce you to four recently released videos I think you will enjoy.
Billionaires are investing in, uh, what to call them? …drones, multicopters, eVTOLs, UASs, UAVs, Powered Lift aircraft, the list literally goes on and on. The lack of a widely accepted generic name is one of several indications these air taxis of tomorrow are still in a fairly distant tomorrow.
Two industry experts gave me their judgment after viewing the Volocopter and BlackFly demonstrations. Both agreed the Volocopter presented better, performing a true demonstration of its vertical launch then transitioning to forward flight, manuevering, and then doing a landing. Both also said the BlackFly was much less impressive. "They just kind of bobbed and floated around, not doing any maneuvering or making a transition to forward flight," each agreed. Both wanted to like each aircraft but one clearly won in their minds.
This story is not about either of these developmental vehicles, but here are two links for those interested in the 
I recall when 
Fusion eNano
Getting stall down to 24 knots (27.6 mph, where Chip saw "30") is tougher but with full flaps, it will be closer; he reported using deep but not full flaps ("32°" when 50° is available). However, a surer way to achieve the right speeds may be a longer wing that is already built and has flown; see the engineering drawings (below video). Weight from a longer wing may require that the pilot fly without the door, but Chip believes room still exists to lighten Merlin Lite enough for buyers to have it all — full enclosure including door, engine cowl, and most or all of the options seen in the photos and video.
The video documents the weighing action conducted inside a hangar that Mt. Vernon airport manager, Chris Collins generously provided so Merlin Lite was not affected by wind. Although I witnessed this using bathroom scales, I checked these with my own weight to see they were within one pound or so of one another (about one-half of one percent deviation). However, Chip will shortly perform a formal weighing using certified scales and an official observer. He's confident Merlin Lite will still qualify and based on what I saw, I agree.
Thor 250 outputs 36 horsepower from a single cylinder that Evolution Trikes boss Larry Mednick describes as a smooth running engine that rivals Rotax's 912. That's a big statement but it appears this Polini powerplant dominates the market for the lightest aircraft. Evolution's 
A new engine was debuted at 
He quoted an introductory price of $7,500 for Hybird used on Merlin, the somewhat bigger brother to Merlin Lite. Hybird for Merlin includes an engine mount, custom cowl for Merlin, the freshly-developed Aeromarine carbon propeller and spinner, radiator, and all fittings.
"There is no TBO (Time Between Overhaul)," Chip bragged! "Our engine replacement price is lower than the cost of most overhauls, so it is cheaper to buy a new engine." A run-out Hybird could still be overhauled, of course, but if that costs close to as much as a new engine, the decision to skip the overhaul time and expense sounds easy.
"We adapted a proven belt reduction drive to this engine and designed a custom engine mount, exhaust, and wiring harness," Chip explained. "We even arranged with a PhD-qualified prop designer to create a custom carbon propeller made to match this engine’s torque and power curve."
Are you looking for an affordably-priced airplane? On this website, you can find many choices of aircraft that qualify, with something to fit the budget of almost any pilot.
Using the Search bar at the top of the page, you can look for any text anywhere on this website. Have you tried it? More on this below…
However, such "alternative aircraft" may not be what you had in mind. Many are open cockpit and pilots trained in a Cessna or Piper can feel uneasy being out in the open (even if behind a pod and windscreen). Also, weight shift trikes, powered parachutes, or gyroplanes handle differently from stick (or yoke) and rudder.
Other pilots may want an aircraft that can cope with the elements better. Metal can offer better endurance. 
Chip believes his new Part 103 "magic" ultralight is truly revolutionary.
“This is not your 1980s ultralight," claimed designer Chip. “I know, I was there. Our new Merlin Lite has real aircraft features and appeal: seven windows, a cockpit door, decent baggage capacity and space, an instrument panel with an EFIS and GPS. And the list goes on.”
Merlin Lite is available with either tricycle gear or taildragger, Chip reported, and features all-aluminum construction, dual independent hydraulic brakes, tundra tires, five-position flaps, pushrod controls with bearings, and substantial aft cabin area with the CG envelope to use it. "Deep deploying 50-degree Fowler flaps and tundra tires with independent dual brakes make the Merlin Lite an ultralight bush plane," he added.
"Based on Merlin PSA, a popular single seat personal sport aircraft that costs less than $40,000 and cruises at 120 mph, Merlin Lite's cockpit is almost as large as the Merlin's, but the powerplant is scaled down and the 3-D tapered wing aspect ratio is increased," said Chip.
Merlin Lite is available completed and ready to fly away, or can also be built as an Experimental and flown with a Sport Pilot ticket, or even a glider certificate, flying Merlin Lite as a motorglider.
"Its cantilevered high wing means no lift strut," explained Chip, "making Merlin Lite quite easy to get in and out, a feature with increasing importance. Plus, the large baggage area can carry a full-size airline roll-on bag, camping gear, or even your favorite pet."
Merlin Lite finished and ready-to-fly — $31,000 equipped with electric-starting 
To find truly affordable aircraft, for one example, search for "vintage ultralights" you will be lead to our April 2020 series on ten super-affordable airplanes, all of which are available second hand for less than $10,000. You may not know that Search can be more specific. After you use Search, a page shows you whatever is found but you can drill down further — click "Try our advanced search option."
After your initial search, you will see, "Not finding exactly what you expected? Try our advanced search option." Click on the "Try our advanced search option" link and you can narrow the search to: 1️⃣ specific brands of aircraft manufacturers, 2️⃣ specific aircraft models, or 3️⃣ FI.R.M. List companies, meaning products and services that do not make airframes or engines. This Advanced Search is quite powerful to sift through more than two million words or hundreds of different aircraft reported on ByDanJohnson.com.
I hope you can attend 2020's 
MC-01 by Montaer
SmithSilver by Tri-State Kite
Sparrow by Carlson
F2 by Flight Design
Vashon Ranger
VL3 by JMB Aircraft
Fusion 212 by Magnus
Rob Rollison the proprietor of the very successful 
Deon will have the InnovAviation FX1 we saw at Midwest 2019 (
I interrupt the ongoing battle with Covid-19 to take you on a nostalgic tour of Oshkosh-19. View this excursion by video below.
Hey, when you can't go to 
Oshkosh is so sprawling you can't see it all but this post along with the video below tries to capture objects of interest to readers of this website and viewers of Dave's 
This year celebrates 15 years of Light-Sport Aircraft and its companion pilot certificate, Sport Pilot. This year also celebrates the 12th year of LAMA providing the LSA Mall. What a fascinating ride it has been!
For 2019, 
For 2019, the LSA Mall will add a few previously-owned LSA, as this part of the light aircraft market is developing. I've 
In addition to dozen Light-Sport Aircraft and Sport Pilot kits all parked wingtip-to-wingtip, LAMA will also again host a display of engines used on Light-Sport Aircraft and Sport Pilot kits.
Pilots have a understandable fascination with engines and the display in the LAMA tent at the LSA Mall in Paradise City is the one-and-only place where you can see them all in close proximity to one another.
If you visit the core area of Sun 'n Fun, you know it is a fair walk to Paradise City. Yet it is a great draw as many see that Sun 'n Fun's "alternate airport" in Paradise City represents something of an airshow-within-an airshow.
As with AirVenture, 
Look for the golf carts with the Rotax logo prominently displayed and stick your thumb out for a ride.
I hope you are coming to Sun 'n Fun 2019. If you cannot, check back here for news as I find it.
