Aeropilot Ltd. Archives - ByDanJohnson.com

Aeropilot Ltd.

Website: http://www.light-sport-aircraft.cz/

Phone: (01142) 0-605-296-563

Čáslav,, 286 01 - Czech Republic

This July, Another Eagle Has Landed — Orlican’s New LSA Arrives in America

By Dan Johnson || July 8, 2022 7 Comments

Fifty three years ago this month, Neil Armstrong made history when he declared first, "The Eagle has landed." His words described a momentous occasion: humans about to set foot on the moon.

Orlican can't claim such high ground but through two years of Covid dislocations, the Czech Republic developer finished their second-generation LSA and the first one in the U.S. was delivered to its first customer, a flight school. Longtime LSA importer and reseller, Deon Lombard has been waiting as supply lines snarled and shipments were delayed. However, the European manufacturer persevered and the new model has crossed the Atlantic. Orlican's Eagle has landed!

A New L600

In case Covid (understandably) fogged your brain, Orlican's Eagle is a follow-on design. Americans and others have seen a very similar look before. It started with L600, which Deon has been selling in the U.S. for several years. Why the name "Legend?"

Look at the design. What popular model of aircraft does it resemble? If you guessed Cessna 182 Skylane, you are remarkably observant. Indeed, this model was created as an 80% scale imitation of Cessna's popular four seater, just with two seats and built of composite rather than metal. Since I have flown both the Cessna 182 and the L600, I’ll say it simply. Skylane 182 carries a lot more weight and it flies like it. Cruising is smooth but in maneuvers or during takeoff and landings, a C-182 feels like driving an oversized pickup truck. It has power but the handling is heavy, not agile. L600 was completely different. Here's my earlier comments on the this design (including a video pilot report). One reason why L600 felt better to me: it's LSA-light at 1,320 pounds or 600 kilograms (hence the name L600). By contrast a Cessna 182 tops out at 3,100 pounds, well over twice as much.

Then, pricing… A new Cessna 182 is base priced beyond $500,000. Deon will sell his L600 Eagle for $150,000* — less than one-third the cost of a Cessna 182. Of course, the 182 carries almost double the useful load, 1,130 pounds to L600 Eagle's 594 pounds* (with standard equipment). A C-182 cruises faster, too, 156 knots to L600 Eagles's 120 knots*. Yet with 182 going for triple the price (comparing new to new), Eagle offers good value for your dollars. Some readers will surely say they can buy a used 182 for the same money as a new M-8 Eagle and that's true. However, flying a C-182 will require a medical and a used Skylane priced approximately the same as a new L600 Eagle will be a 1970s model, close to 50 years old usually with out-dated analog instrumentation and a thirst for 100LL fuel. I see nothing wrong with those legacy airplanes but they will generate maintenance bills well beyond the Eagle and they'll cost up to three times as much per hour to operate.

Who Is Orlican?

You've probably never heard of this brand but if you lived in Eastern Europe, that would be quite different. The company has a long, rich history. Americans may not know that so here's the briefest history lesson.

Nearly 100 years ago, the original Orlican company was founded by engineers Beneš and Mráz in 1935. The factory was later nationalized by the government but in the 1990s, a new company — Schempp-Hirth Ltd., a brand well-known and widely respected in Europe for its sleek sailplane gliders — took over the air division of Orlican. Manufacturing of composite Scheme-Hirth gliders is current today. The Orlican brand was reestablished in the autumn of 2014, with the support of employees and customers of the original company. "It is still in our DNA to carry on this longstanding tradition, to continue what was established many years ago," said Orlican CEO Vaclav Bervid. The new boss expressed reverence for the original Mr. Mráz, who believed, "I searched for my own path that nobody ever walked upon…“ The renewed Orlican company hopes to continue that philosophy. L600 Eagle is Orlican's entry product into Light-Sport Aircraft. They benefitted when a key engineer departed to bring a similar design to Orlican. How is it different? Let's check the one presently in the USA.

Now in the USA

Deon Lombard’s company will import the Orlican model to sell alongside his Whisper kit. "Eagle is essentially the same design as L600 but all the improvements we could incorporate," said Deon.

The first Orlican in America (seen in nearby photos with N-numbers) is already in use at Fly Corps Aviation flight school with nine instructors operating out of Savannah, Georgia. With 30 hours on this first example, school owner Chip Griewahn reported, "[L600 Eagle] is the easiest airplane my instructors have ever flown." Deon reported Griewahn has plans to add more Eagle aircraft. As Orlican completed work on Eagle, Deon listed several changes made to the prior design:

Choice of doors opening forward or upward
More aileron area, increased effectiveness
Pushrods mainly replacing cable linkages
Throttle in panel now; Aeropilot was on the floor
Wing root fuel quantity sight tubes
Engine cooling has been improved from Aeropilot
Airframe is ready for post-Mosaic increases
One of the more unusual features is the rare lay-flat accommodation (nearby photos)

The first L600 Eagle arrived in January 2022 and two more will land in the USA before the end of the year. Meanwhile in the Czech Republic, Orlican is gearing up for higher production in 2023. This year they are refining their system and building about one a month. Contact Deon Lombard for further information.

Orlican Ltd. L600 Eagle (American model) GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Carbon fiber composite airframe with fixed landing gear
All terrain wheels and suspension
Single color (acrylic) paint in white or light color
Rotax 912 80 horsepower; Rotax 100-hp 912 and 115-hp Rotax 914 turbo are available
Pushbutton ignition system
Vernier throttle control
Slipper clutch
Tubular steel engine mount with 4 rubber engine mounts
Fireproof sleeves on the fuel lines,
Three-blade ground-adjustable Woodcomp Propulse propeller with carbon fiber blades
Carbon fiber white propeller spinner

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS all figures supplied by the manufacturer

All info for LSA model WEIGHTS
Empty Weight — 728 pounds (330 kg)
Maximum Take-off Weight — 1,320 pounds (600 kg)
Minimum Crew Weight — 132 pounds (60 kg)
Maximum Crew Weight — 397 pounds (180 kg)
Maximum Luggage Capacity — 66 pounds (30 kg) PERFORMANCE
Takeoff Roll — 490 feet / 150 meters
Climb Rate — 1,200 feet per minute (5–7 m/s)
Max Operating Altitude — 18,000 feet (5400 meters)
Stall Speed with Flaps — 29 knots (53 km/h)
Max Cruise Speed — 135 knots* (250 km/h)
Landing Roll — 490 feet (150 m) DIMENSIONS
Length — 23 feet (7 m)
Height — 8.7 feet (2.65 m)
Wing Span — 29.8 feet (9 m)
Wing Area — 116 square feet (10.7 sq.m)
Horizontal Tail Width — 9 feet (2.8 m)
Horizontal Tail Area — 24 square feet (2.2 sq.m)
Vertical Tail Area — 12 square feet (1,116 sq.m)
Cabin Width — 45.8 inches (1.16 m)

* Figures presented in this article are current at the time of posting but subject to change. Dean Lombard indicated that the aircraft manufacturer is following Mosaic and the promise of expanded capabilities but noted the existing L600 Eagle aircraft has already been tested to higher weight limits and faster speeds.

Fifty three years ago this month, Neil Armstrong made history when he declared first, “The Eagle has landed.” His words described a momentous occasion: humans about to set foot on the moon. Orlican can’t claim such high ground but through two years of Covid dislocations, the Czech Republic developer finished their second-generation LSA and the first one in the U.S. was delivered to its first customer, a flight school. Longtime LSA importer and reseller, Deon Lombard has been waiting as supply lines snarled and shipments were delayed. However, the European manufacturer persevered and the new model has crossed the Atlantic. Orlican’s Eagle has landed! A New L600 In case Covid (understandably) fogged your brain, Orlican’s Eagle is a follow-on design. Americans and others have seen a very similar look before. It started with L600, which Deon has been selling in the U.S. for several years. Why the name “Legend?” Look at the design.

Sebring Day 2— Evolving Market for Light-Sport Aircraft …New or Used

By Dan Johnson || January 25, 2019 3 Comments

"Duck and cover" was a phrase to describe the morning on Thursday, Day Two at Sebring. Rain that lasted until late morning dampened turnout and you can't blame those who stayed home because tomorrow, Friday January 25th, looks much better. It will be cooler (by Florida standards, 60°F) but clear skies are forecast. Plus, it's Friday, so come on out and enjoy! We took advantage of the wet weather to visit inside displays and will have videos coming on the Wingbug airdata WiFi device; about insurance for Light-Sport Aircraft, ELSA, Sport Pilot Kits from Aviation Insurance Resources; and on Whelens line of very bright LED strobes. Once they are edited and uploaded, find them on the YouTube channel of Light Sport and Ultralight Flyer. Please be patient for the videos. Soon after Sebring, Videoman Dave and I head out to Copperstate for the show now co-produced with Buckeye Air Fair at an all-new time of the calendar: February 8-9-10.

"New or Used?"

That is a question pondered by vendors. Many businesses representing airframe manufacturers cater exclusively to the new aircraft sales. Many regard used aircraft, even their own brand, as competitors.

Some, like Scott Severen of US Sport Planes, see used aircraft — especially for the Jabiru brand he represents for North America — as an alternate for his enterprise. He displayed two pristine Jabiru LSA with prices 50% under a new model. They are not the same as current new models but from my look, many buyers would find them highly desirable. Did I mention for half the price of new? Scott and other vendors have taken a more entrepreneurial approach to used aircraft, turning the sale of used LSA into a profit center to support their business rather than fighting futilely against the presence of a growing used fleet of LSA. "I earn more with a new plane but I can do fine with used," Scott said. "My reasoning best serves the customer, too, as a pilot looking for new isn't interested in used and a customer who wants to spend less is motivated by a lower price (photos)."

A pair of contrasting L600s were looking good on the Sebring show line. They're sold by Aeropilot USA.

Another veteran of the LSA business is John Hurst who represented a pair of Breezers that also look very good despite being used. Breezer Aircraft of Germany has not had a U.S. representative for several years but existing ones can certainly be given some tender loving care (home page image). "I went through the airplanes from nose to tail," said John, while noting the exceptionally good flying characteristics. If he doesn't move this pair of Breezer sooner, look for one in the LSA Mall at Sun 'n Fun in a couple months. Naturally, both Scott and John are also happy to supply brand new LSA with as many bells and whistles as you like. Scott has the whole Jabiru line for the entire USA and John represents Flight Design and its CT-series in the southeast U.S. on behalf of Flight Design USA.

New Is Nice

A couple new airplanes that appeared to be drawing good attention were the Aeropilot L600 and the Magnus Fusion 212.

L600 importer Deon Lombard said he expecting his first with the Rotax 912iS. "The injected engine installation has been all worked out and the manufacturer keeps making airframe improvements," said Deon. The two aircraft he exhibited have some hours on them criss-crossing the country from his base in Southern California, but these are two clean flying machines. See our Video Pilot Report here. Magnus is represented here at Sebring by Istvan Foldesi, who reports fully building the Fusion in the USA using parts fabricated in Hungary. The smooth composite — mostly carbon fiber construction with an elegant dual-taper wing — is making the rounds at airshows and attracting admiring looks, I have observed. At Sebring company pilots were giving demo flights to prospective customers. (Magnus also supplied a yummy native Hungarian dessert — they literally transported a suitcase-full — and the treat was enjoyed by all exhibitors at Sebring's exhibitor reception on Wednesday evening.) Other companies also told us about new models or upgrades coming in the near future, perhaps as soon as Sun 'n Fun 2019. It looks to be an exiting new year for Light-Sport Aircraft and Sport Pilot Kits.

Here's Our Race-Around-Sebring Video

https://youtu.be/YYONP0o7ERA

“Duck and cover” was a phrase to describe the morning on Thursday, Day Two at Sebring. Rain that lasted until late morning dampened turnout and you can’t blame those who stayed home because tomorrow, Friday January 25th, looks much better. It will be cooler (by Florida standards, 60°F) but clear skies are forecast. Plus, it’s Friday, so come on out and enjoy! We took advantage of the wet weather to visit inside displays and will have videos coming on the Wingbug airdata WiFi device; about insurance for Light-Sport Aircraft, ELSA, Sport Pilot Kits from Aviation Insurance Resources; and on Whelens line of very bright LED strobes. Once they are edited and uploaded, find them on the YouTube channel of Light Sport and Ultralight Flyer. Please be patient for the videos. Soon after Sebring, Videoman Dave and I head out to Copperstate for the show now co-produced with Buckeye Air Fair at an all-new time of the calendar: February 8-9-10.

DeLand Showcase 2018 — Day Two …the Good Times Continue

By Dan Johnson || November 2, 2018 2 Comments

A beautiful 2013 SportStar Max brokered by Evektor dealer Dreams Come True. Used aircraft sales are a growing part of their enterprise.

At a reception ending Day Two, DeLand Showcase Director Jana Filip reported that front gate receipts were greater on Thursday than either Thursday of the two prior years of the Showcase. Then she announced Friday's gate was greater than the two previous Fridays. DeLand Showcase 2018 is the third running of the event. Showers rolled in threatening Showcase's perfect weather record although the rain didn't start until exhibitors and sponsors had gathered in the main show center tent. Under shelter, live music was presented by the Flying Musicians Association, lead by professional music man, Gary Filip. A catered dinner fed the group and as the evening concluded, the rain died off as if on cue. A couple tents were damaged by strong winds including one in the Dreams Come True booth of Steve and Debbie Minnich and an EAA Chapter food tent. No airplane damage was reported.

New Jabiru distributor Scott Severen of U.S. Sport Planes said he exceeded his first year sales goal.

A front will pass in the night and weather looks much improved for the third and final day on Saturday so I'd still judge DeLand's weather to be an unblemished record even if blustery winds on Friday slowed flying activities. On the final day we hope to capture several Video Pilot Reports (VPRs) as we are scheduled to fly Jabiru's new J-230D, the SeaMax LSA seaplane, the 912iS-powered Aeropilot L600, and M-Squared's CH750 Cruzer. VPRs require more than two hours each to mount and later demount multiple cameras inside and out, fly for 45 minutes to an hour examining multiple characteristics of each airplane, followed by a stand-up review of the aircraft. We will work as hard as possible to get all four done in the remaining day. (Then the true time consuming job of editing begins for YouTube Ultralight News publisher, Videoman Dave.)

2018 Results Keep Adding Up

Yesterday's Day One post related several conpanies giving satisfactory results for their sales this year. Perhaps encouraged by a buoyant economy, pilots are choosing new LSA but in parallel more importers and manufacturers are helping to move used LSA. The fleet has grown enough to generate a good supply of low-time, desirable Light-Sport Aircraft. Any representing looking to sell new machines can boost their enterprise by also facilitating the sale of used aircraft. In either new or used transactions, pilots win as they can acquire aircraft that interest them. It's all good and 2018 is proving to be a respectable year.

Seamax is another company pleased with their U.S. developments. We interviewed lead designer and business owner Miguel Rosario to find his lightest-of-the-LSA-seaplane-fleet Seamax is developing their business on the campus of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. With care and long experience, Miguel has built an active enterprise that has supplied more than 150 aircraft around the globe with about 10% flying in the USA. That number is sure to grow with the Brazilian company's American operation, an excellent price point among LSA seaplanes, and sprightly performance SuperPetrel reports delivery of eight units in the last year after establishing their U.S. base. Global sales over many years are now approaching serial number 400 according to representatives from the Ormond Beach, Florida enterprise of Brazilian investors associated with Scoda Aeronautica. This seaplane maker is also growing its installed base in America for this long-established design that was thoroughly updated when Scoda (formerly Edra) Aeronautica took over Super Petrel. An FAA audit proved the quality of their work as they earned SLSA credentials.

Inside the tent, we did an interview with Sensenich president Don Rowell. The very popular maker of wood, metal, and composite props reported strong business that is challenging the company to keep propellers in stock. To address the demand, Sensenich is expanding and bringing new CNC equipment. We will be visiting the factory just before Sun 'n Fun 2019 to give viewers a tour of their new facility and equipment. As with yesterday's report, this is not an exhaustive review of each exhibiting company. Yet the sum of reports from company after company reinforces the view that 2018 qualifyies as a solid year. I see the happy smiles of new pilot owners on the field.

At a reception ending Day Two, DeLand Showcase Director Jana Filip reported that front gate receipts were greater on Thursday than either Thursday of the two prior years of the Showcase. Then she announced Friday’s gate was greater than the two previous Fridays. DeLand Showcase 2018 is the third running of the event. Showers rolled in threatening Showcase’s perfect weather record although the rain didn’t start until exhibitors and sponsors had gathered in the main show center tent. Under shelter, live music was presented by the Flying Musicians Association, lead by professional music man, Gary Filip. A catered dinner fed the group and as the evening concluded, the rain died off as if on cue. A couple tents were damaged by strong winds including one in the Dreams Come True booth of Steve and Debbie Minnich and an EAA Chapter food tent. No airplane damage was reported.

Sebring 2018 — Day One… “How was the first day?”

By Dan Johnson || January 24, 2018 1 Comment

Sponsor CubCrafters placed one of their well-decked-out aircraft at the main terminal entrance to Sebring 2018.

For all who could not attend, our title forms a common question. On day one of the fourteenth running of the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo, even many onsite asked how the first day went; I'll bet I heard the question a dozen times. Short answer: A great start! The airport that hosts the annual event lucked out with a day of gorgeous weather, in the high 70s (25° C). Clear blue skies and modest breezes made for a beautiful beginning. They booked a full display of more than 100 vendors and plenty of shiny aircraft to examine. Morning hours looked to have reasonably good attendance; the parking lot was on its way to a good fill at 8:30 AM. These shows rarely seem crowded — and that's not a bad thing if you want to talk to an aircraft designer or take a demo flight — but at times various aircraft were surrounded by visitors. It looked pretty healthy.

Scott Severen is taking over all sales of Jabiru in North America.

Four vendors reported sales by mid-morning. Perhaps these buyers had already decided to act and just wanted one more look or to ask one more question but how is that different than any other show? (Do you really think any airline places a billion dollar order at the Paris Air Show because they finally saw what they liked? Of course not, purchases are planned in advance but they use the show to help the buy make the news.) Some non-airframe equipment vendors reported a solid day to Mike Willingham, the airport director and man in charge of the 14-year-old event.

Aircraft of Interest

Icon is on display and in the water at Sebring 2018.

We saw a rare sighting of an Icon A5 on display with another on a lake doing demo flights. The California company has in several recent years limited its airshow appearance to a splashy big tent at Oshkosh. It was good to see the team from the factory's flight school and operation in Tampa, Florida make a showing. Scott Severen as US Sport Planes made his first appearance as the new man handling sales nationally for Jabiru, focused on their J230-D and J170-D models. Scott has played many important roles in light aviation and he's a veteran choice to take over from Pete Krotje and his Shelbyville, Tennessee team as Pete slides gracefully into a well-deserved retirement, as he has planned for a couple years.

Aeropilot USA's L600 appears to be enjoying a warm reception.

Aeropilot USA boss, Deon Lombard, reported a solid first year with six sales of the L600. He also added a dealer in the east while he handles the west from his California base. From what I could see, interest is growing for this handsome 80%-scale 182 lookalike done in composite. We looked over the HKS-powered Merlin Chip Erwin brought on behalf of his Aeromarine-LSA company based in the Tampa area. Videoman Dave and I are charging around scooping up videos and knocked out seven or eight on Day One. Look for plenty of fresh video in the weeks ahead to follow Dave's deluge of videos in advance of Sebring. Tomorrow's forecast: another fine day (or two or three) ahead, weatherwise with airplane noise first thing and all day! C'mon down if you can…

For all who could not attend, our title forms a common question. On day one of the fourteenth running of the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo, even many onsite asked how the first day went; I’ll bet I heard the question a dozen times. Short answer: A great start! The airport that hosts the annual event lucked out with a day of gorgeous weather, in the high 70s (25° C). Clear blue skies and modest breezes made for a beautiful beginning. They booked a full display of more than 100 vendors and plenty of shiny aircraft to examine. Morning hours looked to have reasonably good attendance; the parking lot was on its way to a good fill at 8:30 AM. These shows rarely seem crowded — and that’s not a bad thing if you want to talk to an aircraft designer or take a demo flight — but at times various aircraft were surrounded by visitors.

Video Pilot Report; Examining Aeropilot USA’s L600 Light-Sport Aircraft

By Dan Johnson || January 17, 2018 2 Comments

This website was born in 2004 after a few years of laboriously uploading a large number of written pilot reports that had appeared in aviation print magazines over the years before. It was tougher to do then than it is now. The project started in late 1999, barely four years after the World Wide Web was built on the Internet. Tools were crude then and it proved to be a multi-year project to convert from print to web. Today, such a task is vastly easier and we hope you are enjoying the refreshed ByDanJohnson.com that was launched in spring 2017. In this new millennium of intense change, print has slowly but steadily yielded to online (aviation magazines have actually faired reasonably well, but print in forms such as newspapers has badly eroded). We got lucky as we were early and we established a solid presence for this website that today reaches most of the owners of the 66,000+ LSA or LSA-like aircraft sold around the world, with the majority of those aircraft delivered since 2000. In that time, one big, huge, enormous change was video. Think about this. In 1999, Google was hardly known; it formed in September 1998. Facebook started in February 2004 and YouTube went live a year later in February 2005. Apple's iPhone ushered in the era of smartphones in fall 2007. Today, video is everywhere and I'm proud we've kept up with the times — even having our own video library. When ByDanJohnson.com launched in April 2004, YouTube didn't exist and neither did Light-Sport Aircraft. My, oh, my…!

Aeropilot L600

Flying with Aeropilot USA's Alex Williams at DeLand 2017.

In the video below, you can join me as I take you around and inside the L600 from Aeropilot in the Czech Republic, represented here in America by RT Aviation (updated Sept. 2024). In the next few days, I'll give you a similar tour of the Evektor Harmony LSA and we'll talk with folks from Flight Design to hear how that well-known producer is doing as 2018 begins. These video pilot reports have largely replaced text-and-photo pilot reports although reporting in that form will continue as shorter articles here on the home page. Video pilot reports can provide actual views of an aircraft performing some of the evaluations I talk about in the narrative portion. In this way, a print article simply cannot compete with video. So, "lights, camera, action" — let the fun begin!

Also, please remember all the hyperlinks embedded in articles take you all over this website with its 1,500 or so pages packed to the edges with all kinds of info about Light-Sport Aircraft, light kit-built aircraft, and ultralight aircraft …our singular focus in aviation. Aeropilot USA sells L600 starting below $100,000 (but see RT for prices in 2024), at which price it makes a great value in a sleek yet familiar shape. You can check it out further if you attend Sebring 2018. https://youtu.be/ar12-jSMTdg

Midwest Light-Sport Aircraft Expo 2017 Opens Today

By Dan Johnson || September 7, 2017 Leave a Comment

Article updated… Stuck as I am in Florida preparing for the onslaught of Hurricane Irma… with great regret, I am missing for the first time the Midwest LSA Expo in Mount Vernon, Illinois (about an hour east of St. Louis). Yet the good news is that some airplanes for which I expected to do Video Pilot Reports will still be in attendance even if I am not. My ever-present videographer Dave Loveman is also onsite, coming all the way from Canada, so those cross country flying efforts will not be in vain. Traveling from Arizona is Ed Ricks and the Paradise. Flying even a bit further from California is the Aeropilot L600. Those of you able to attend Midwest LSA Expo 2017 this year can examine those aircraft and a ramp full of other top brands that have so faithfully attended this event (see the layout and exhibitors here). Update: You can also watch the Mt. Vernon scene for yourself using AirportView, just installed by good friend and aviation entrepreneur, Jacob Peed on behalf of the growing AirportView network. Check this out! "We feel the Midwest LSA Expo is the most convenient and affordable of its type in the country," said host and extremely well-liked airport manager, Chris Collins. He observed, "Mt. Vernon and the airport are within an 8 hour drive for 50% of the entire U.S. population!"

Paradise Aircraft P1NG model revealing its third door.

Sure, it's nothing like EAA's AirVenture Oshkosh with its massive throngs nor as large as Sun 'n Fun with its dizzying array of aircraft of all types. It also lacks the airshow both of those major events stage. However, the reason to come to Midwest LSA Expo is precisely because the lack of those grand features means you can actually spend quality time talking to the representatives of various aircraft and you can go take a demo flight within literally a few minutes. By sharp contrast, going for a demo flight at Oshkosh can tie you up for half the day and that means not many folks get the privilege. That is one of the main reasons why I have attended eight in a row, missing only this Ninth Annual MWLSA. It is also the reason Videoman Dave and I encourage airplane vendors to make the trip, so we can attach our collection of seven Garmin VIRB video cameras all over an airplane, inside and out, to give you the very best look at an aircraft while we flight evaluate it. The success of Dave's YouTube channel proves we capture this segment of aviation better than anyone. I'm unhappy I could not be present this year but the show will go on. I hope you can make it.

Aeropilot's Legend — L600 in the USA — in flight.

Paradise has been absent from the U.S. scene for a few years but Ed Ricks assured me yesterday that the brand will be back and, after some reorganization in its home country of Brazil, Paradise Aircraft is in fine business shape, as he reported after a weeklong visit. He and new partners will be representing the all-metal, yoke-controlled, three-door P1NG and other models starting at Midwest. They also plan a major splash at Sebring in January 2018, Ed promised. If you can't make Midwest, please plan to see them at Sebring. Our newest supporter, Aeropilot USA took our advice after Oshkosh and brought their also-yoke-controlled L600 — the one that looks uncannily like a Cessna 182… by design — directly from Oshkosh to Midwest. The ever-graceful and always-helpful Chris Collins housed the new LSA for Aeropilot boss Deon Lombard to save him the long flights from Wisconsin to California and back to Illinois. You won't see me if you attend — darn it! — but you can get an eyeful and take some demo flights if you attend Midwest LSA Expo 2017. I hope you make it!

Aeropilot USA — L600

By Dan Johnson || August 29, 2017 3 Comments

https://youtu.be/ik2TiS6u0GQ L600 — known as Legend 540 or 600 in Europe — is a new arrival in America, although this high wing LSA is known in Europe for a few years. At Sun 'n Fun 2017, we spoke with U.S. importer, Deon Lombard, who tells about this entry in the Light-Sport Aircraft field. If it looks familiar to you, it should. L600 was modeled after the Cessna 182 at approximately 80% scale. That's probably smart as nearly every pilot on the planet has been in a Cessna 172 or 182 at one time or another and probably came to like it …except for their prices. In comparison L600 is very attractively priced. The aircraft is a try composite unlike the older model it resembles.

L600 — known as Legend 540 or 600 in Europe — is a new arrival in America, although this high wing LSA is known in Europe for a few years. At Sun ‘n Fun 2017, we spoke with U.S. importer, Deon Lombard, who tells about this entry in the Light-Sport Aircraft field. If it looks familiar to you, it should. L600 was modeled after the Cessna 182 at approximately 80% scale. That’s probably smart as nearly every pilot on the planet has been in a Cessna 172 or 182 at one time or another and probably came to like it …except for their prices. In comparison L600 is very attractively priced. The aircraft is a try composite unlike the older model it resembles.

Aeropilot Legend 600 Is Newest Special LSA (#143)

By Dan Johnson || December 30, 2016 11 Comments

Doesn't the newest SLSA resemble an aircraft you know? Can you place it? Welcome Aeropilot Legend 600 imported by U.S. representative Aeropilot USA, which received a Special LSA Airworthiness Certificate from FAA on September 21st, 2016. After a bit of delay, we've now added Legend 600 to our 143-aircraft-long SLSA List. Deon Lombard is the American rep. He comes from an aviation family following Anton Lombard, a World War II pilot who founded Safair Freighters in South Africa. They report this was the nation's first air cargo service and is now the largest air cargo company in the country. An aviation engineer by training, Deon created a flight school in South Africa and now runs Fly Light Sport California in Fullerton.

First introduced in Europe at the 2011 Aero Friedrichshafen show, the Czech-based manufacturer said, "Legend was designed as an 80%-scale version of the very successful Cessna 182, with two passenger seating for [European] Ultralight or LSA." They added, "But [Legend 600] actually has more passenger room than the Cessna." Aeropilot's European model is called Legend 540. Aeropilot Ltd., began to plan production of the 600 kilogram (1.320 pound) Legend 600 in late 2014, building the first in 2015 for an Australian customer. For several years, the southern hemisphere nation has accepted the ASTM standards, allowing compliant Light-Sport Aircraft to be sold down-under. In May 2016 that first Aussie Legend 600 completed a 2,800-nautical-mile round trip circumnavigating all of southern Australia. According to the Czech producer, "LSA Legend 600 is intended for elementary pilot training ... and for traveling." Low operating costs allow lower cost pilot certificates, said Aeropilot. "Great performance and extra utilizable load allow comfortable and fast traveling. LSA Legend 600 is full-composite [high] wing monoplane made of sandwich materials." Desginer Jaromír Smékal used modern composite techniques to achieve a lower empty weight that increases useful load." Legend 600's fuselage is constructed using sandwich technology with a carbon composite material. Legend's wing is constructed similarly.

We are "introducing the Aeropilot Legend 600 starting at $85,000*," said Aeropilot USA, "with the Starter Package [equipped with] the minimum required for daytime, VFR flight. "Great for the pilot who doesn't plan to enter controlled airspace." Legend retails for approximately $100,000 with the Trainer Package. Prices always change as does the equipment list, so email the California company for current pricing. As the new pink airworthiness card proves, Aeropilot's Legend 600 complies with LSA standards. The aircraft is powered by a Rotax 912ULS swinging a three-blade Woodcomp prop. With 29 gallons of fuel on board, the carbon fiber Legend 600 boasts a flight endurance of seven hours equating to "approximately 700 nautical mile range." Aeropilot Legend 600 specs: Empty weight 728 pounds (depending on options); Gross weight 1,320 pounds; Stall with flaps 30 knots (35 mph); Cruise speed at 75% power 113 knots (130 mph); Range 700 nautical miles (807 statute); Climb rate at sea level 1,375 feet per minute; Luggage capacity 66 pounds. All specifications are according to U.S. representative Aeropilot USA. Welcome to Deon and the Legend 600 that now (somewhat belatedly) appears on our SLSA List. Hopefully we'll see the Cessna 182 lookalike at one of the major shows where we might capture video of the new model. Happy New Year to all readers of ByDanJohnson.com! * This price is for the 80-horsepower Rotax 912.

Doesn’t the newest SLSA resemble an aircraft you know? Can you place it? Welcome Aeropilot Legend 600 imported by U.S. representative Aeropilot USA, which received a Special LSA Airworthiness Certificate from FAA on September 21st, 2016. After a bit of delay, we’ve now added Legend 600 to our 143-aircraft-long SLSA List. Deon Lombard is the American rep. He comes from an aviation family following Anton Lombard, a World War II pilot who founded Safair Freighters in South Africa. They report this was the nation’s first air cargo service and is now the largest air cargo company in the country. An aviation engineer by training, Deon created a flight school in South Africa and now runs Fly Light Sport California in Fullerton. First introduced in Europe at the 2011 Aero Friedrichshafen show, the Czech-based manufacturer said, “Legend was designed as an 80%-scale version of the very successful Cessna 182, with two passenger seating for [European] Ultralight or LSA.” They added, “But [Legend 600] actually has more passenger room than the Cessna.” Aeropilot’s European model is called Legend 540.