The Shows Are ON! It’s April 2023, kicking off two great affordable aviation events: Sun ‘n Fun and Aero Friedrichshafen 2023. My reporting has begun and I will attempt daily reporting from both events. Keep clicking or tapping back here…! You can read everything on this website completely free of charge — though we appreciate your support through membership. Learn which companies lead the light aircraft sector — Tap or click the big blue button. Thanks for your visit. We genuinely appreciate those of you who have become members!
Welcome to Affordable Aviation!
The Shows Are ON!
It's April 2023, kicking off two great affordable aviation events: Sun 'n Fun and Aero Friedrichshafen 2023. My reporting has begun and I will attempt daily reporting from both events. Keep clicking or tapping back here…!
You can read everything on this website completely free of charge — though we appreciate your support through membership.
Learn which companies lead the light aircraft sector — Tap or click the big blue button.
Thanks for your visit. We genuinely appreciate those of you who have become members!
In a splendid professional presentation, Waco Aircraft unveiled their newest vintage-style aircraft. Well, that's close to factual. In truth, Junkers Aircraft is its own company, but as it shares common ownership, it's OK to group these two vintage designs together, partly as they are both 100% built-in-America designs.
In Battle Creek, Michigan a European businessman, Dieter Morszeck, has invested more than $30 million to create a modern airplane factory capable of producing such complex yet handsome designs as the Waco biplane. For 2023, that facility has a new occupant, Junkers Aircraft. Both are owned by Dieter and this man is serious about aviation.
Mr. Morszeck made his money in the luggage business. His brand, Rimowa, is known widely for its corrugated exterior, leaving an earlier Junkers aircraft built similarly to be dubbed the "flying suitcase." This is a delicious bit of serendipity because now his former luggage business can be expressed in an airplane… one that draws people's attention wherever it shows up. I observed pilots keen to sit in A50 Junior simply to experience a bit of history.
For additional information on A50 Junior, please 
A Swiss team was engaged to create the first example of A50 Junior in the modern age. Now that the prototyping is done and Special LSA approval has been granted from FAA, A50 can enter the U.S. market and its first buyers are already stepping up.
As you might expect from an aircraft of this highly detailed construction, this is not the least costly SLSA on the market. However, for those filled with desire, the first 29 airplanes — a nod to the year of its first introduction in 1929 — will be sold for about $195,000. I predict they won't have too much trouble finding buyers, especially as many LSA are now approaching (or have exceeded) that price.
Junkers isn't done. An A52 model with side-by-side seating and retractable gear could enter the market as a Mosaic LSA or mLSA. Dieter and his team are already pondering that move and, again, their U.S. factory is set up and ready to produce.
https://youtu.be/0jxieezSmyw
How about 160 horsepower!? That's a 19-horse or 13% gain in power, all essentially from the same engine core? With Mosaic set to allow four seaters, heavier airplanes, greater speed, and probably retractable gear, the newest 916iS seems perfectly situated for Mosaic.
However, since the new rule won't allow deliveries before early 2025, does that mean a long wait for a 916iS? No, as it not made expressly for Mosaic. Indeed, BRP-Rotax already has a launch customer: CubCrafters.
The popular Cub maker has never used Rotax. They used their own engine (one they had manufactured to their specifications). Understandably, the European engine maker is pleased to win CubCrafters as a new customer.
Rotax observed, "Our Rotax 916iS/c showcased its power for the first time in the new CubCrafters Carbon Cub UL, a new engineering prototype equipped with the 916iS."
"Working with Rotax on the 916iS/c has been a great collaboration. We are excited to launch our latest products together and make them available worldwide," said Patrick Horgan, president and CEO of CubCrafters. "The powerful and smooth single lever operation Rotax 916iS/c is outstanding, bringing the latest engine technology to the Carbon Cub family." Patrick added that 916iS/c is compatible with fuels available worldwide.
However, Rotax literature specified other variations, such as the 916iS (no "c"), which they describe as the ASTM compliant engine, making them suitable for LSA today and Mosaic LSA or mLSA in 2025. The 916iS/c is certified by EASA (Europe's rough equivalent to FAA). Commonly, reciprocal agreements between CAAs in western European nations and FAA in America allows the U.S. agency to accept EASA's approval and vice versa.
Helicopters (and, finally, fully-built gyroplanes) are also expected to be permitted under Mosaic. As rotary aircraft often prefer higher power, 916iS appears to offer a good fit.
Since 915iS has been winning converts steadily, I predict a wonderful response to the latest and greatest from the largest supplier of light aircraft engines in the world.
Strap your seat belt securely, clear the sky ahead and push that SLC throttle to the max. Hoo-yah!
Over his many years in the business, Paul has created various models, tried a variety of engines, and strengthen (and proven) his M-Square airframe to allow more potent engines and greater carrying capacity. He has added cockpit enclosures and windscreens. You can fly all M-squared airplanes on floats.
Yet what really sells these airplanes is their friendly, accommodating flight qualities and a durable platform that can work for years.
So, how can he do even better? Please read on…
Paul and his team did a handsome installation even refitting an earlier exhaust system above the engine. They had to clear the airbox on top and keep the heat away from nearby fuel lines but this mount looked quite efficient to my eyes. Paul and I even joked that the muffler itself may produce a bit of lift as it appears somewhat airfoil shaped and operating in clean air.
Perhaps the most surprising news, though, was that Rotax now says the 912iS produces 105 horsepower versus the even 100 horsepower that we have used for many years.
Another major change will be the installation of a Dynon SkyView avionics. Of course, this provides many useful functions but among them Paul can now offer full ADSB In and Out. For an aircraft used to train new pilots, having such state of the air digital electronics will better prepare students.
With a new engine and new avionics, will Breese 2 get too expensive? Affordability is different for each of us but for an aircraft used to train pilots, making it a commercial aircraft, Paul's 2023 price of $75,000 strikes me as a very fair deal. The engine and avionics alone cost him half the selling price. As I told him and others discussing that number, "Tell me something that did not go up 30-50% in the last two year." With the prices on almost everything ratcheting up, I see that as a very fair value.
If you have comments, I'd love to read them below.
Meanwhile, stay tuned for much more from 
Maybe these new-fangled flying contraptions have numerous (indecipherable) names because they're still deciding which way they're headed?
I believe aircraft like these are nearly inevitable and I not only don't resist, I'm rather enthusiastic about them. I'd love to get picked up from my driveway and whisked by air to an appointment across town in minutes, free of clogged roads. C'mon, UberAir!
However, that dream may be years in the future. Oh, the technology is nearly ready now. It hasn't been proven to be in-the-field robust yet but engineers know today most of what they need to make air taxis viable. Their much bigger challenge? Gaining public acceptance and winning regulatory approval. That could take a long time. Meanwhile…
Before joining Jetson, Stéphan worked for 
Some who try eventually hit upon the right formula but no one says this is easy. Technology has been particularly helpful to smaller enterprises, especially those that serve customers widely dispersed across the country. Whatever you think of social media, the fact is they help those with specialized interests find people who can provide services.
One fellow has found his magic carpet. His instruction calendar has a few available slots in 2023 but he has already almost filled this year's schedule book. How did one man succeed and who is this story about?
That work has been gratifying — and helped move the entire LSA industry forward — but Roy's personal choice of flight and his passion is focused on powered parachutes.
While he was working in this field and building his enterprise, Roy and I linked up in a new way in 2014, the 10th anniversary of SP/LSA. Roy had compiled many aspects of the regulation that could be improved. He assembled an impressive booklet of desirable changes complete with suggestions. Working together, Roy and I drew people from industry, from membership associations, and from FAA to a meeting at Sun 'n Fun nine years ago.
Roy's hard work on advocacy for LSA — for which I was honored to be his partner at twisting FAA's arm — has paid off in a big way. The coming regulation incorporates every initiative that Roy and I proposed for Mosaic.
But important as this work may be, that's enough about advocacy. Let's talk about flying machines!
Roy's training program begins before the student gets to the airport. Anyone anywhere can start by studying a book Roy wrote on the subject. Roy’s Powered Parachute Book has 470 pages of content covering every aspect of flying powered parachutes. The inch-thick, large-format book is densely illustrated with many beautiful graphics that help explain everything. Roy admitted, “Writing a book wasn’t nearly as hard as illustrating the book.”
He combines the textbook with online training using the Brainscape app. Roy explained, “There is a lot of material to retain when learning to fly. By starting the ground training at home, students are able to get through the flight training, the knowledge test, and the check ride that much faster and stress-free.”
Thanks to a commitment to the safest practices, in the 30 years that Roy has been training powered parachutes, his program has been injury-free.
One of the key advantages of powered parachutes is their simplicity. These aircraft are designed to be easy to operate, and they require minimal training to fly. This makes them an ideal choice for people who are new to aviation, or who are looking for a more relaxed flying experience. The slow flying speed of powered parachutes makes them ideal low altitude sightseeing aircraft.
As an experiment, this article was triggered by Roy asking ChatGPT to write a draft as though it was written by me. Roy tweaked it and sent it to me for final editing.
Is that still an AI-produced document? Well, yes and no. It certainly changed through human input. However, it was helpful to move things along more quickly and that's one of the benefits many are seeing with this new technology. Since pilots are quite technically interested and adept, I thought readers would enjoy hearing about this use of AI.
In those two decades, LSA have arrived and flown in nearly every country on Earth.
A few years ago, I evaluated total worldwide market size — see 
We know Chinese money is invested in (or wholly owns) many of general aviation's top brands, including Cirrus Design, Continental Motors, Mooney, Diamond, Icon Aircraft, and others. However, money flowing to those companies does not support sales in Asia-Pacific. Most of those enterprises are mainly active in the USA and have only small operations (if any) in China or around the Pacific nations.
However, that is slowly changing. Since my travel around China in late 2017, many changes have occurred.
AeroJones has a patient investor with a longer horizon and the company has rewarded him by steadily increasing business.
While those developments continue, the Taiwan-owned company has clearly demonstrated their ability to build airplanes. A tour of AeroJones' production facility showed off a modern, orderly shop with well-trained personnel building CTLS aircraft.
AeroJones was established in 2013 and is completing its 10th year in business, a noteworthy accomplishment it will celebrate officially in 2023.
A decade ago, AeroJoes signed a contract with German CTLS developer Flight Design. After receiving extensive training from company engineers, AeroJones turned on their factory machinery. Gaining government approval — a kind of Type Certificate is required by CAAC, China's FAA — took many months. This was all new ground for both company and officials.
In those ten years, the AeroJones team learned to build a high-quality Light-Sport Aircraft and do so with repeatability. The company recently completed its #50 CTLS.
"We are #2 in China and #1 in the World," said Hsieh "Tai" Chi-Tai in news last year. Another China producer, Sunward with its 
Like all such producers, AeroJones does their primary assembly work using non-airport facilities. They then disassemble, transport, and reassemble their aircraft at an airport some hours away. At that location, training is conducted and newly-manufactured aircraft are test flown.
Until recently, that is the method used to deliver all light aircraft in China. It's a large country and truck delivery adds a lot of extra work and time.
Last year. AeroJones broke new ground and air-ferry-delivered a new CTLSi to a customer (
With a delicious 10-day spacing between them — time to rest up a bit after a vigorous week — later in April comes 
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.
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 
The other sponsor is a new aircraft manufacturer, 
Rotax Aircraft Engines
Super Petrel has a long history; some 400 are flying around the world. In addition, the current producer, 
The timing was perfect as Rodrigo has always said, “You begin with the engine and build the aircraft around it.”
Besides the more potent engine, Scoda engineers have been busy. The latest version shows several improvements.
Larger tires with 
The fuel system now has two separate header tanks located behind the baggage compartment resulting in a 60% increase in capacity. On-board fuel has been increased as well.
"Remarkably, the aircraft empty weight is nearly the same as the current Super Petrel LS model with Rotax 914 at 870 pounds," said Roger. "The ballast water system now has a gauge on the G3X along with a panel switch to add or remove water while while operating the aircraft on the water," he added.
The landing gear is electrically actuated and hydraulically operated with a mechanical release behind the pilot seat. The doors are gone and replaced by the full canopy. The canopy can be completely operated by hand or, once unlocked, operated by a hydraulic assist. Visibility has been greatly improved with the new canopy design.
"In the beginning we were offering the aircraft with either the Rotax 912iS or the 915iS engines," Roger recalled. Yet, "All twelve aircraft sold thus far have been the 141-horsepower 915iS engines. We decided to take the 912iS off the table."
How does that deal sound? You buy a subscription for $40 — which you should get anyway — and you are automatically entered in the prize drawing for an aircraft worth $200,000 or more. If you give a friend a gift subscription, you get an additional entry, and you can give up to 10 gifts. Somebody is going to win and the odds are fantastically better than any state lottery. You won't be competing against millions of others. In my mind, winning a free airplane sounds like a great way to start a new year! Even if you don't win, you'll get a beautiful aviation magazine each month.
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, 
Who cares about boats (or seaplanes) in the dead of winter? Well, what better way to endure icy streets and frigid temperatures than to go look at boats and dream of using them come summer — Plan Ahead!
As with airplanes, boats can't be built overnight, so ordering early ensures that when the lakes finally do open up, fun starts quickly thereafter.
Aventura has been in operation for many years and has hundreds of their aircraft flying. These were produced by different business operations over the years but the company is in its most stable form today under the leadership of Alex Rolinski.
Recently, 
The company's Aventura II seaplane "is a versatile aircraft that is designed for recreational and commercial purposes, with safety requirements." Alex listed several worthy reasons to consider their Aventura:
Water Operations: "This allows for access to remote locations," wrote Alex, "including the ability to explore areas that are difficult to reach by other means of transportation, providing you with a beautiful experience, different from any other airplane operation!"
I add an argument that landable bodies of water outnumber airports by at least ten times and if you include every body of water that might permit an emergency landing, the number goes off the charts. You can safely land an amphibious seaplane in many more places.
Short takeoff and landing (STOL) capability: "Aventura II seaplane can take off and land in relatively short distances, making it useful for operations in areas with limited runway space." See specifications below.
Durability and reliability: "Aventura is built with high-quality materials and is designed to withstand the rigors of operating in various environments."
Safety: "Aventura models are equipped with multiple safety features and are designed to meet or exceed industry safety standards, besides a faultless history of accidents. This airplane never had a structural failure in more than 20 years of operation," reported Alex.
Utility: "Aventura II an be used for a variety of purposes, such as recreation, sightseeing, fishing, wildlife observation, and more."
Affordable: "Aventura II is fuel-efficient, keeping operating costs lower. The Kit is the most affordable seaplane in the market, and takes around 250 hours to build."
Customizability: "Aventura II can be configured to suit a variety of different needs, with options such as panels (from analog to full glass), wheels, skis, and six engine options."
Maneuverability: "Aventura models are highly maneuverable, which allows for precise control and handling in a variety of different conditions."
Comfort: "Aventura II is designed to provide a comfortable and enjoyable flying experience, with features such as a spacious cabin with or without windows that offer excellent visibility."
Alex believes — and my own experience agrees with his view — that a seaplane like Aventura II can open up many new possibilities for adventure, access to remote areas, and the ability to explore new places.
In early 2023, prices start at $60,000 for an Aventura II kit. The factory can walk you through numerous options or features you may want to provide a more specific price and time availability. However, Alex presently states that kits are available in four months.
An Aventura LSA starts at $119,900. Kit versions are available in six months. A fully built model needs a direct quote from the producer. Various types of equipment can be fitted. Aventura II models are available as a kit, an "assisted" kit, a fully-built Special LSA model or you could elect an Experimental LSA, for example, if you want to do all you own maintenance.
You truly need to see these performances to believe what determined pilots in suitable aircraft can do. I encourage all to come on down to sunny Florida for Sun 'n Fun 2023 and check out the action in Paradise City (formerly the "Ultralight/Lightplane Area" and now badged as "
Like its counterpart at AirVenture in the Fun Fly Zone (also the former Ultralight Area), crowds can get close enough to see the STOL performances in great detail. Usually you have to arrive early enough to get a place at the fence. I've seen spectators 10-deep at both events.
Paradise City hosts Sun 'n Fun's "other" runway, a grass strip that's been steadily improved enough that the local 
Before 
Using his powerful Viking engines but also adding adding a super-special humongous landing gear arrangment to maximize rotation-for-takeoff performance Jan Eggenfellner created his Monster STOL.
As regular enthusiasts know, most of the top performers use taildraggers. Yet Zenith clearly does well with tricycle gear, even the regular version; the video below illustrates this.
Congratulations to Hamish Crowe for his first place finish at the 
Fellow Zenith pilot Daniel Wright finished in second place flying his blue and white Zenith STOL (registration JRM) with a takeoff roll of just 19.0 meters (62.3 feet) and landing roll of 30.7 meters (100.7 feet), for a combined distance of just 49.7 meters (163.1 feet). Both pilots can be seen performing in the short video below.
Naturally, Van's isn't the only company aware of what FAA is planning. Any other company or individual who participates on the ASTM committee can know most of the same information. Indeed, this is where I get most of my knowledge about Mosaic as 
Jabiru
Montaer
The Airplane Factory
More Available
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For FAA, this is somewhat new ground. It's unusual for the agency to release this much information about a regulation before they issue it. These things change internally as different FAA departments weigh in, so they usually keep their cards close to the chest until the NPRM (Notice of Proposed Rule Making) is near final form. All this relates only to the airframe.
A different FAA group handles pilot privileges and who gets to fly what size aircraft with how many people on board. They are much less involved with ASTM committee work. That is why we have much less information about what the agency plans regarding pilot certification or flight operations.
After Covid, so many things changed for so long that, today, it's getting hard to remember how it was. EAA hosted (in-person) Ultralight Days for some years, with a wintery gathering of aviation's lightest flying machines at their splendid facilities right behind the HQ building. Specifically I mean Pioneer Airport. Covid played a role in suspending that event.
Yet EAA's helpful experts, led by Charlie Becker and Timm Bogenhagen, had a fresher idea. While corporations were Zoom-meeting with staff and clients, Timm and Charlie sprung into action. In the new age of working remotely, how could EAA convey lots of knowledge to their members and how could non-members get a great object lesson in how experts can help?
Using their system that worked beautifully for homebuilders, EAA cooked up Virtual Ultralight Days.
EAA said, "Subject matter experts of the ultralight community will present webinars on the lighter side of recreational aviation including how to get started in ultralights; how-to instructions on a variety of ultralight aircraft such as gyroplanes, powered parachutes, and trikes; and overall informative topics on maintenance, airport operations, safety inspections, and more."
That covers a lot of ground. How could EAA gurus deliver all this useful information? One word: Webinars… and plenty of them. In about two weeks — over February 21-22-23, 2023 — EAA will present five seminars a day, a total of 15 highly information presentations. See all sessions referenced below.
Yet that's not all the interaction you can have. During these talks, EAA can survey listeners. As one of the presenters, I am excited about this. When I give a talk in person, I often start out asking some questions of attendees so I can better suit my remarks to their interest and experience. On a webinar the presenter cannot see his or her audience so how do they know who is watching? Surveys will help plus give you a chance to interact.
"Anyone can register for any presentation," EAA said, "by going to their 
If you like a topic, you check the time, register, and EAA will send you a drop-dead-simple button to click. If that time doesn't suit you, no problem as you can watch the recorded version later. It may take a short time to get these ready but then they will be available for a long time. For example, I enjoyed a couple presentations from 2022.
EAA began Virtual Ultralight Days last year on the 40th anniversary of Part 103 becoming part of the FARs.
I hope you can tune in — or watch later. Following is the entire schedule or see Article Links below to quicken your search.
Tim and Helen Bridge are developing the ‘electric sky jeep,’ an all-electric 
"The Bridges' company plans to tap into ground-based networks of solar-powered energy grids in remote towns and villages," said Zenith, "so that the aircraft can fly between villages delivering vital medical staff and supplies without relying on outside fuel that needs to be flown in to the location."
Given its STOL (short takeoff and landing) capabilities, the manufacturer said, "Zenith's CH-750 is well suited for 'off-airport' operations, and can be flown in and out of shorter runways that may also be 'unimproved,' such as grass or dirt landing fields."
The Bridges founded their company, NUNCATS, in 2019. Now that the aircraft has been completed and flown they predicted, “As soon as funding allows, we hope to move towards getting this into communities where it can make a real difference. There are currently a billion people in the world with no access to healthcare.” The project is still seeking backers and sponsors to help fund its development.
Sebring Expo accomplished its principal goal for the race-city airport: to put it on the aviation map in a definitive way. Led by longtime airport manager Mike Willingham, Sebring enjoyed a remarkable run and the young LSA industry benefitted greatly from their event. If you're curious about how and why Sebring called it quits, check this 
Held annually at the Mt. Vernon Outland Airport (KMVN), Midwest is focused on showcasing all things light aviation. Although the event serves the LSA, Sport Pilot-eligible kit-built aircraft and 103 ultralight communities, all segments of aviation are welcome.
Indeed last year, the KR builders group held their event concurrently on the same grounds (nearby image from 2022). It makes for a nice crossover.
"Midwest Expo will feature the best of the best in the sport aircraft communities to include Light-Sport Aircraft, ultralights, kit planes, powered parachutes, powered paragliders, trikes, gyroplanes, amphibians and more," said Chris.
"Jana will be concentrating on the addition of avionics, engines, propellers, aircraft supplies and pilot gear for the shopping enjoyment of the aviation enthusiast," he added. "Forums, workshops, and keynote speakers are also being organized, and again this year demo flights will be available all day, every day for those shopping for a new aircraft."
If you live within range — people travel from all over the USA and even foreign countries — Midwest Expo offers free admission, free parking, and free camping. Based around the terminal building at KMVN, visitors will find a very popular restaurant (seriously, local residents regularly fill the place). In addition, forums are held indoors plus everyone appreciates clean, proper restrooms.
"Stay tuned as we work to spin the 2023 Expo onto our 
In North America, Skyleader is represented by Michael Tomazin using the web domain 
"Skyleader 400 is designed for recreational flying and pilot training. It is distinguished by its … sports car-inspired looks and unique gull-wing-doors canopy," said the U.S. representative. "It features a spacious interior with plenty of space for pilots and baggage (aft of the seats), and a 21-gallon fuel tank that gives the 400 a range of around 500 miles depending on engine selections and options." Larger fuel options are available.
"Skyleader 400 is manufactured in three base configurations: Basic, Training, and Club, each with the option for further customization to suit a buyer's needs, desires, and budget," said Skyleader USA. "From engine and avionics upgrades, to genuine leather upholstery and custom paint, you can make the Skyleader uniquely yours."
"Flight schools love the Skyleader 400," said Michael. "It can be a TAA (Technically Advanced Aircraft, as required for a Commercial certificate)." Originally built for flight schools, Skyleader 400 has sturdy gear. One example Michael recently examined at the factory had 7,000 hours and 20,000 "cycles" (or takeoff and landings). It returned to the factory only after a student pilot taxied into a ditch, damaging the front wheel.
Skyleader 400 follows the entire Skyleader line using Fowler-style flaps that work exceptionally hard when deployed and hide almost completely when retracted. It's an elegant system, especially so on aircraft in the lighter range, and this yields stalls that happen well below what the LSA regulations require.
Like the surprisingly affordable GP-One, Skyleader 400 can effectively use the nearly bullet-proof 80-horsepower Rotax 912 that will run nearly forever and use lower octane regular auto fuel, making it exceptionally low-cost to operate. However, as the 100-horsepower engine costs only a couple thousand more, non-flight school customers usually opt for it. Student or private owner, Skyleader 400 offers plenty of room in the cockpit, good even for a 6-foot, 3-inch tall pilot, said Michael.
In early 2023, Tomazin reported he has six ready-to-fly airplanes on order, plus two kits — the latter offering is new since Covid. "I just ordered the first two kits in late fall 2022." One of the kits is a Skyleader 400 equipped with the fuel-miserly Rotax 912iS.
Worldwide, the company fleet is estimated at about 350 Skyleader 600s, Michael indicated. Counting all models, close to 600 of the company's airplanes are flying. "This is their 23rd year," Michael said. "They laid off nobody during Covid and they presently have many orders," he added. "If we could get all the avionics we needed, we could deliver faster."
When Skyleader / Jihlavan introduced the Skyleader 400 they called it their "mid-line model," known internally as JA-400, distinctive because of its gullwing-doors canopy construction." Skyleader 600 features an aft-sliding canopy.
"Skyleader offers the 400 in three base configurations: Basic, Training, and Club, each with the option for further customization to suit your needs, desires, and budget," explained Skyleader in Czech. "From engine and avionics upgrades, to genuine leather upholstery and custom paint, you can make the Skyleader uniquely yours."
The Czech producer said, "Kappa 77 (now Zall Jihlavan Airplanes; Skyleader) was established in 1996. It started with the production of the KP-2U aircraft called “Owl.” In 1999, the aircraft received German certification, later following with permissions in Italy, France, Poland, and the Netherlands.
Designer Antonín Píštěk also worked with Evektor — based in the same area as Jihlavan — on the five-seat VUT 100 Cobra aircraft designed for approval under conventional certification.
"The Zall Jihlavan Airplanes factory is heavily involved in aeronautical research, design and commercial manufacture," clarified the builder. "The company [built] doors for the Airbus A320 airliner and [does] other certified aviation sub-contracting."
With a solid company, interested buyers, and orders bound for the U.S., I expect aviators will see more Skyleaders at airports near them.
Most commonly, you hear "drone."
Yet "drone" is further confusing because we haven't separated crewed aircraft from uncrewed aircraft and this is a major distinction. FAA has also made this separation, so for this article, I will only speak of crewed aircraft, that is, a flying machine with a pilot using controls to direct its flight. In addition, I will also stick solely to single place aircraft that can theoretically qualify as a legitimate Part 103 ultralight vehicle.
Let me first extend a quick thanks to IEEE's Spectrum magazine for making me aware of entries I'd missed. You can 
The Spectrum article refers to 350 aircraft developments in the eVTOL field, spanning 48 countries. How many will make it to market and succeed? When will public acceptance allow executives to zip over urban congestion in their buzzing contraptions? Will FAA ever finish regulating them? All these questions are unknown.
However, if asked to bet on any near-term success, I'd guess it will be a Part 103-qualifying "recreational multicopters" because anything larger remains years away, perhaps decades. Therefore, in this article, I will only touch on some genuine 103 entries. Not all will succeed but one or two might show us the way forward.
All models featured here are single-seat aircraft that may possibly qualify for Part 103 regulations. Two of these companies, Lift Aircraft and Opener, have engaged 
Recon is compact (like all of these), only 15.5 feet long, 7.5 feet wide, and just under five feet tall. It weighs a reported 286 pounds, though more detail was not available.
"Powered by six electric motors, the carbon-blade propellers spin at 2,000 rpm and when flying it’s not very loud," claimed the company. Mick Kowitz, CEO and founder of 
"It’s easier to operate a flying ATV than you think — or, at least it was for me. That’s not a humblebrag either. It was designed so any idiot like me — who backs up into his recycling bin every time he pulls out of the driveway — can jump in and use it," wrote Tony Ho Tran for the Daily Beast. Is it a good thing that a complete newbie can get in and fly one of these?
Beyond first-time pilots, Ryse Aero aims to help the agricultural community with a lot of acreage to monitor. The U.S. start-up is working on a single-seat eVTOL vehicle that could be operated by farmers, winemakers, or park rangers with minimal training under the FAA’s Part 103 rules. No pricing has been announced at this time.
Based in Australia, Alauda Aeronautics said, "[We are] building performance electric flying cars" and "racing to deliver a revolution in personal air mobility so everyone will own a flying car." On their website, information is very sparse but they quickly introduce the reader to Airspeeder, the "world's first series for electric flying cars." While their website suggests Alauda also has more orthodox goals, they appear focused on air racing vehicles. Alauda supports Airspeeder developer Mike Pearson as he forms a new league.
He wrote, "From the dawn of the age of the motor car, it has been racing that pushes innovation. We have Formula 1 to thank for the key performance and safety innovations we take for granted today." He added, "Our mission is to build the ultimate performance flying car [that] will define a new mobility revolution."
Alauda's all-electric aircraft, which is expected to have a range of 25 miles and a Part 103-compliant top speed of 63 mph, could be used for tasks such as inspecting crops and rounding up livestock, goals similar to those expressed by Ryse Aero.
So few facts are available that it is impossible to evaluate if Alauda can meet 
Jetson reported their Jetson One is "built to comply with existing FAA regulations," though they don't state which rule. We presume Part 103 as anything higher on the certification scheme is not yet ready for market. However, unlike Lift and Opener, they have not reached out to LAMA for TSC confirmation.
Whatever their long-term strategy, Jetson said this, "The entire 2022 and 2023 production is sold out, but we are accepting orders for 2024 delivery." Whoa! Sold out through this year? According to their website, this translates to 226 units ordered. Not bad before the first shipment has been made.
What will one of these machines set you back? "A down payment of $22,000 is required [at the time of ordering]. A final payment of $70,000 when your Jetson One is ready for delivery at the factory." Does $92,000 sound affordable to you?
To see what I've had to say about Jetson before, 
Distance and location are also computer controlled and that's perfect for Lift's initial plan.
You don't care how much this one costs (it would be over $300,000, they suggest) because Lift doesn't plan to sell it to you. They will rent it at one of their "vertiports." Planning several around the country, you can show up, pay the fee, sign the waiver, and take an hour's instruction before you go fly your own Hexa solo, for your first-ever multicopter flight. The aircraft will be geo-fenced to contain its lateral movement and a safety pilot will stand by to take over if you somehow manage to overwhelm the computer controls.
I'll tell you what… if Lift offers a flight near me, I'll do it. Will you?
"Traffic congestion and long commutes are two leading causes of stress and reduction in quality of life," believes Opener. "Countless hours are wasted on roads each day, idling in traffic, time that could be better spent with family and friends." Who can argue yet range anxiety and a lack of experience flying this unorthodox aircraft may hold back buyers. That's OK as it is often "early adopters" that start the trend.
"Our vehicles are intended to liberate the public from the restrictions of two-dimensional road travel by opening up a new world of untethered three-dimensional flight," said Opener. "Compact and simple, our vehicles are pioneering a new era of stress-free travel."
Do you want to commute to work in your BlackFly? If it arrives on market as promised for the price of "luxury SUV," that might mean your commuter aircraft will sell for under $100,000. If so, would you consider that affordable?
Here's 
When A5 was finally accepted by FAA as a Special LSA, the company shrewdly arranged to get on the cover and be the lead article in the same month of American aviation's top three magazines (by circulation): Flying magazine, AOPA Pilot, and EAA Sport Aviation. I've been around and observing aviation publishing for a few decades and I'd never see such a triple play before. These magazines are friendly to each other but nonetheless compete vigorously. The rarely (never?) want the same cover story as their rivals. Icon accomplished this without spending a dime advertising with the publications.
Then things started to splinter.
Getting the sophisticated aircraft into production took several years longer than anyone expected. The initial price of $139,000 ballooned 250% over a few years to more than $350,000. The company prepared a purchase contract that was so burdensome that many orders cancelled. It was later greatly scaled back.
As it continually raised money, Icon eventually became owned more by Chinese interests than all other investors. Seeing the continual flow of red ink on the books, the new owners forced changes and dismissed founder and president, Kirk Hawkins, who had led the organization through impressive — though expensive — achievements. For many months after Hawkins' departure, it was not clear who was in charge and that is never a good thing for a company… or its customers.
The company's original engineers had been convinced by Kirk to leave Scaled Composites, the celebrated Burt Rutan development company that built SpaceShipOne among many other radical designs. One by one, those engineers left. Other executive staff also departed, perhaps uncertain about the path forward. A final-attempt lawsuit that made the Wall Street Journal business pages was resolved in the stockholder's favor. Kirk was out.
Challenges