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Bristell

Website: http://www.bristellaircraft.com/

Email: Lou@bristellaircraft.com

Phone: (516) 658-1847

Ronkonkoma, NY 11779 - USA

Lockwood Rotax and Bristell at AOPA Summit 2011

By Dan Johnson || September 26, 2011 Leave a Comment

Phil Lockwood (R) visits with a customer at AOPA Summit 2011.

Van's Aircraft's RV-12 LSA made the cover of Lockwood's new catalog.

BRM Aero's Bristell debuted at AOPA's Airportfest 2011, attracting steady crowds.

At AOPA summit I spent time in the Lockwood Aviation booth giving me a chance to speak with a few RV-12 builders. *** Van's has reportedly sold approximately 600 RV-12 Light-Sport Aircraft, of which 150 may be flying, making RV-12 by far the most successful Experimental LSA. RV-12 would among rank high among all Light-Sport Aircraft were we able to include ELSA in the SLSA List (...we cannot, for several reasons). In a sign that proprietor and industry leader Phil Lockwood sees good potential in RV-12 service work he displays the leading ELSA on his latest Lockwood Aircraft Supply catalog. Van's did not exhibit at Summit 2011. *** I found it equally interesting to hear much improved reception to the Rotax line compared to earlier AOPA Expos or Summits. Perhaps it's the 2,000-hour overhaul time. Maybe it's the 40,000 9-series engines Rotax has installed on aircraft. Possibly more widely available Rotax service as seen on our FIRM List. Regardless, it seems likely Lockwood Repair services — and those provided by other Rotax centers — should enjoy good maintenance business for many years. |||| At the airport, visitors were greeted by a Cessna Skycatcher, which the big company positioned as the first aircraft inside the gate. Among LSA purveyors, Remos, Flight Design, Jabiru U.S., Arion Lightning, and CubCrafters had displays, as did Terrafugia though the latter was in the convention hall regularly folding its wings in and out. *** At Airportfest, Liberty Sport Aviation's Bristell was a hit, making its U.S. debut. People liked the 51-inch-wide cockpit, "...as wide as the Cirrus SR22," said rep' Barry Pruitt, who also stated that a 6-foot-8-inch father and son duo sat, and comfortably fit, under the bubble canopy with headroom to spare. Many were impressed with the smooth curves on the all-metal SLSA. Prices start about $125,000. |||| On Saturday, EAA and AOPA made a joint announcement that they will petition FAA next year to drop the third class medical for certain GA aircraft, limiting such privilege to one passenger and no more than 180 horsepower in day VFR. Read more from EAA. Though EAA and AOPA say doing away with the medical is supported by experience from Sport Pilot/Light-Sport Aircraft, the message was received warily by LSA sellers even as AOPA members gave loud approval at the morning session. Because many LSA are sold to pilots concerned about their medical, some felt the surprise announcement could chill sales that are already slow. However, other experts didn't perceive the negative and most pilots are aware the number of medically-related accidents is vanishingly small, plus generally, removing any barriers to more flying activity is a net gain. Yet even EAA and AOPA officials agreed the chance for victory is uncertain on this sixth try to go to a driver's license medical and approval may take two to five years, if ever. With disparate reactions to the announcement, only time will show how this new initiative might benefit aviation growth and activity. Regardless, it is fascinating to see the onetime rival member organizations harnessing their considerable horsepower in a combined effort.

At AOPA summit I spent time in the Lockwood Aviation booth giving me a chance to speak with a few RV-12 builders. *** Van’s has reportedly sold approximately 600 RV-12 Light-Sport Aircraft, of which 150 may be flying, making RV-12 by far the most successful Experimental LSA. RV-12 would among rank high among all Light-Sport Aircraft were we able to include ELSA in the SLSA List (…we cannot, for several reasons). In a sign that proprietor and industry leader Phil Lockwood sees good potential in RV-12 service work he displays the leading ELSA on his latest Lockwood Aircraft Supply catalog. Van’s did not exhibit at Summit 2011. *** I found it equally interesting to hear much improved reception to the Rotax line compared to earlier AOPA Expos or Summits. Perhaps it’s the 2,000-hour overhaul time. Maybe it’s the 40,000 9-series engines Rotax has installed on aircraft.

A Pair of New SLSA Arrive Before AOPA Summit 2011

By Dan Johnson || September 21, 2011 Leave a Comment

New Bristell Fastback from BRM Aero. photos by Barry Pruitt courtesy Liberty Sport Aviation

Pipistrel's latest approval is for their Sinus motorglider. Shown at bottom is the Sinus with tundra tires. photos courtesy Pipistrel

GAMA and LAMA members will meet again at AOPA's Summit.

Just in time for this year's AOPA Summit, welcome to a pair of Special Light-Sport Aircraft, numbers 121 and 122: the first, the formerly named NG 5 LSA, rebadged as the Bristell Fastback by importer Liberty Sport Aviation of Pennsylvania; and the second being the fourth approval for Pipistrel, specifically for their Sinus motorglider (previous Pipistrel approvals included the Virus, Virus SW, and Taurus). *** NG 5 LSA was not previously offered in the U.S. though it was sold in Europe as the NG 4 from Roko Aero. When Roko closed its doors production stopped for the NG 4. It became NG 5 as the company reformed into BRM Aero. Changes occur in any industry but Bristell Fastback designer, Milan Bristela, is a steady hand on the joystick known for his foundational work on the SportCruiser (for a year known as the PiperSport) that is presently ranked #2 in U.S. registrations. The Bristell is certainly similar to the SportCruiser/PiperSport though not identical as a close examination at AOPA Summit 2011 will show. |||| Pipistrel is one of those ambitious companies that seems to create new models with ease. Their line is extensive including a weight shift trike, a sailplane (Apis), a self-launched side-by-side motorglider (Taurus), the twin Virus models, plus, now, the Sinus. I first flew the latter as it entered the USA as an Experimental-Exhibition aircraft. Certification rules differ for genuine motorgliders and the company's U.S. representatives first traveled down that path before achieving no less than four SLSA approvals in the last three months. Pipistrel is only bested by Tecnam's five SLSA approvals and is matched only by Jabiru US and ICP/Skykits (which itself is going to new ownership... we commonly see changes in this most dynamic sector of aviation). A regular at air shows, Pipistrel is not on the exhibitor list for AOPA Summit perhaps as they are competing in the NASA Green Challenge, which is scheduled to begin immediately as Summit 2011 ends. Update 9/21/11 PM — See Pipistrel USA's blog postings about the NASA Green Flight Challenge 2011. |||| Among many other activities at AOPA Summit 2011, GAMA and LAMA will hold the second of a series of strategy meetings with delegates from both LSA and general aviation companies. As LSA further integrate into the broader fleet of aircraft, the general aviation industry is anticipating a rewrite of Part 23 certification rules. While helping LSA to develop and grow into a solid sector of aviation, the "experiment" of industry consensus standards certification offers guidance about how to simplify rules. Put another way, the LSA industry has much to learn but also has fresh experience to offer. *** Kudos to GAMA's staff for their foresight in helping to bring the two groups together. The combined group plans to meet about four times per year at major airshows.

Just in time for this year’s AOPA Summit, welcome to a pair of Special Light-Sport Aircraft, numbers 121 and 122: the first, the formerly named NG 5 LSA, rebadged as the Bristell Fastback by importer Liberty Sport Aviation of Pennsylvania; and the second being the fourth approval for Pipistrel, specifically for their Sinus motorglider (previous Pipistrel approvals included the Virus, Virus SW, and Taurus). *** NG 5 LSA was not previously offered in the U.S. though it was sold in Europe as the NG 4 from Roko Aero. When Roko closed its doors production stopped for the NG 4. It became NG 5 as the company reformed into BRM Aero. Changes occur in any industry but Bristell Fastback designer, Milan Bristela, is a steady hand on the joystick known for his foundational work on the SportCruiser (for a year known as the PiperSport) that is presently ranked #2 in U.S.

Two New (Yet Familiar) LSA Return to America

By Dan Johnson || September 8, 2011 Leave a Comment

New NG 5 LSA from BRM Aero. photo courtesy BRM Aero

Does it look familiar, perhaps a little like the SportCruiser or PiperSport? photo courtesy BRM Aero

Lambada was thought to be a goner, but it's back. photo courtesy Distar

Choices increase for LSA motorgliders. photo courtesy Distar

Here's a tale of two planes. One has been seen and sold in the U.S. (Lambada motorglider). The other has a fascinating history and should look familiar to you... quite familiar. It's now known as the NG 5 LSA and that probably rings no bell. However, NG 5 and the #2 ranked SportCruiser share a common history. NG 5 designer, Milan Bristela, once lead design work at Czech Aircraft Works, the first company to create and bring to market the SportCruiser. In 2010 that model took a yearlong debut as the PiperSport though once again U.S. Sport Aviation returns to their long support for and sales of SportCruiser, now produced by Czech Sport Aircraft. *** Along the way, Milan departed and worked for a time with another company called Roko Aero; the aircraft was then called the NG 4. The newly formed BRM Aero company said, "[We] finished collaboration with Roko Aero and stopped production of their NG 4 aeroplanes." Now, Americans can welcome NG 5 LSA to be represented by Liberty Sport Aviation in Pennsylvania. *** Timing is close but Liberty's Barry Pruitt wrote, "The Milan Bristela design ... will be here the first week of September for the AOPA show!" Details are scant now, but if you can attend AOPA Summit 2011 in Hartford, Connecticut you can discover more. If you are unable to make the show, I hope to gather additional information from Summit. Barry Pruitt has long LSA experience with another all-metal low wing, Evektor. He worked for two of the importers and built many models flying in the U.S. today. |||| Joe Kulbeth wrote, "I have recently become the new distributor of the Lambada and the Samba XXL." Urban Air's products were taken out of bankruptcy by another Czech company named Distar s.r.o., which has resumed the manufacture of these two aircraft and is now ready to take orders from buyers. Lambada had a decent early run but fell out the market when Urban Air went down. *** After Lambada disappeared, Jim Lee formed Phoenix Air USA to distribute a significantly revised, second-generation LSA motorglider of the same name: Phoenix. *** Kulbeth's partner Mike Tomazin acknowledged the challenges. "Not too long ago it was believed ... that the Lambada, manufactured by Urban Air s.r.o., was going to pass into LSA aviation history," he wrote. That proved incorrect. *** With a reported empty weight of 627 pounds Lambada has a useful load of 693 pounds for pilot, passenger, baggage and fuel. Tomazin reported the long-winged beauty is available with either 80-hp Rotax 912 UL or 80-hp Jabiru 2200. Aeronautical & Industrial Resources, abbreviated as AIRUSA, said it is the exclusive North American representative for Distar. Current Lambada pricing with an 80-hp 912 Rotax engine and basic instruments is $83,500 (not including shipping).

Here’s a tale of two planes. One has been seen and sold in the U.S. (Lambada motorglider). The other has a fascinating history and should look familiar to you… quite familiar. It’s now known as the NG 5 LSA and that probably rings no bell. However, NG 5 and the #2 ranked SportCruiser share a common history. NG 5 designer, Milan Bristela, once lead design work at Czech Aircraft Works, the first company to create and bring to market the SportCruiser. In 2010 that model took a yearlong debut as the PiperSport though once again U.S. Sport Aviation returns to their long support for and sales of SportCruiser, now produced by Czech Sport Aircraft. *** Along the way, Milan departed and worked for a time with another company called Roko Aero; the aircraft was then called the NG 4. The newly formed BRM Aero company said, “[We] finished collaboration with Roko Aero and stopped production of their NG 4 aeroplanes.” Now, Americans can welcome NG 5 LSA to be represented by Liberty Sport Aviation in Pennsylvania.