Think about this: A Rotax-powered aircraft capable of high-speed cruising at 185 miles an hour? That’s pretty fast and some go quite a bit faster …although not in the USA, as Light-Sport Aircraft …not yet anyway. Most readers are aware that FAA will make big changes to the LSA regulation (info also in this video) probably at the end of 2023. The last time LSA regulations were introduced in September of 2004, one geographical region of the world seemed to be ahead of the game. That 15-year-old experience appears ready to repeat. As the new reg approaches — and with a giant assumption that it will remain approximately as we’ve been lead to expect — Europeans once again appear likely to seize an early lead. Today, I am writing about high-speed aircraft with retractable gear and in-flight adjustable props. At Sun ‘n Fun 2021, we saw two such companies exhibiting.
Sun ‘n Fun 2021 / Day 2 — Europe’s Speed Demons; Experimental Today But LSA in 2023?
European High-Speeders
From 2004 until the last few years, European aircraft composed the majority of LSA offerings. In the second decade of this millennia, American brands have caught up. I presume we'll see this again but not right away.JMB's Ripping-Fast VL3
At Sun 'n Fun 2021, this Belgium-headquartered company offered their latest, greatest …and fastest model. After installing Rotax's potent 915iS and fitted with retract and an adjustable prop, producer JMB Aircraft boasts almost shocking numbers. JMB AircraftJMB engineers must have used a shoehorn to get all the 915iS elements inside the nose cowl.
Large and Deluxe Tarragon
Check this Day Zero Sun 'n Fun report where you see a clear image of Tarragon before all the exhibitors added their flags and other display items. You may not be able to tell in the photo but Pelegrin Tarragon's sleek tandem aircraft looms large. Positioned next door to JMB's VL3 at Sun 'n Fun, it seems to tower over it. Yet Tarragon is as light as VL3 thanks to extensive use of carbon fiber.Many high-end European "ultralights" have retractable gear. Tarragon's gear tucks away out of the windstream.