News & Video on Light-Sport Aircraft, Sport Pilot Kits, and Ultralight Aircraft
Website: http://www.tl-ultralight.cz/
Email: Trey@TLNorthAmerica.com
Phone: 408-883-5985
Hradec Kralove, -- - Czech RepublicWebsite: http://www.sportair.aero/
Email: bill@sportair.aero
Phone: (501) 228-7777
North Little Rock, AR 72118 - USAAt Aero 2013 in Germany, we ran into American Bill Canino owner of Sportair USA, the U.S. importer for TL Ultralights, maker of the Sting and the Sirius LSA. At Aero, the company offered their new tandem-seating Stream. Bill's company, Sportair USA, offers a wide range of aircraft and he gives us a view of his line, assembled through 38 trips to Europe. In this video we focus on all the offerings of TL Ultralights.
At Aero 2013 in Germany, we ran into American Bill Canino owner of Sportair USA, the U.S. importer for TL Ultralights, maker of the Sting and the Sirius LSA. At Aero, the company offered their new tandem-seating Stream. Bill’s company, Sportair USA, offers a wide range of aircraft and he gives us a view of his line, assembled through 38 trips to Europe. In this video we focus on all the offerings of TL Ultralights.
Bill Canino has imported the TL Ultralights line of Light-Sport Aircraft for many years. The first of their modern line is the Sting and its a series of models that have evolved steadily. In this video we speak with Bill and hear more about this very handsome S4 Sting, which has enjoyed regular innovations. The company also makes the TL-3000 Sirius high wing all composite and Bill's company SportairUSA sells an entire line of LSA.
Bill Canino has imported the TL Ultralights line of Light-Sport Aircraft for many years. The first of their modern line is the Sting and its a series of models that have evolved steadily. In this video we speak with Bill and hear more about this very handsome S4 Sting, which has enjoyed regular innovations. The company also makes the TL-3000 Sirius high wing all composite and Bill’s company SportairUSA sells an entire line of LSA.
We spoke with SportairUSA founder, Bill Canino, who represents a broad and varied line of Light-Sport Aircraft... all of which just happen to begin with the letter "S." We wanted to inform you about all these quality airplanes but we also wanted to ask Bill about all SportUSA's activities including their Arkansas FBO and a flock of interesting accessories items, some of which are available for other brands.
We spoke with SportairUSA founder, Bill Canino, who represents a broad and varied line of Light-Sport Aircraft… all of which just happen to begin with the letter “S.” We wanted to inform you about all these quality airplanes but we also wanted to ask Bill about all SportUSA’s activities including their Arkansas FBO and a flock of interesting accessories items, some of which are available for other brands.
In its next generation model, the Sting S3 brings new sophistication to a Light-Sport Aircraft that was already one of the sleekest and best equipped models available. A leading seller, Sting comes with more standard features than most LSA, including safety-oriented airframe parachute and seat belt airbags. Sting is an all-carbon fiber construction.
In its next generation model, the Sting S3 brings new sophistication to a Light-Sport Aircraft that was already one of the sleekest and best equipped models available. A leading seller, Sting comes with more standard features than most LSA, including safety-oriented airframe parachute and seat belt airbags. Sting is an all-carbon fiber construction.
Rans' S-20 Raven flies over the Sebring LSA Expo. photos by Jim Koepnick provided courtesy of Sebring U.S. Sport Aircraft Expo
The Van's Aircraft / Synergy Air RV-12 flies above the Expo.
It was cool but abundant sunshine provided good conditions for an excellent event at the tenth Sebring. Morning winds died down and allowed plenty of demo flying opportunities and even for those who didn’t go aloft, the Manufacturer’s Showcase allowed visitors to see numerous aircraft doing low fly-bys. The combination of readily available demo flights that could be conducted with a minimum of hassle thanks to great support from contract tower personnel and the display of most LSA or light kits in recreational aviation offered ample opportunity for buyers to step up … and sales action appeared quite strong, a sure sign of improving conditions after years of sluggishness. Many exhibitors reported multiple sales, proven by deposits changing hands and orders being written. Ken Scott of Van’s Aircraft — which works closely with Synergy Air, builder of the ready-to-fly RV-12 SLSA — said it was the best show ever for his company.
Plenty of folks think LSA are mainly carbon fiber speedsters with autopilots and huge computer screen instrumentation. No doubt, we have some beauties that are equipped like luxury sport planes. If you’ve got the budget, the Light-Sport industry has the aircraft. Yet not everyone can afford those birds and not everyone wants one. *** FAA pretty much eliminated ultralights when they came out with the SP/LSA rule… well, except for genuine ultralights of the single place variety. The latter still exist, and yes, you can still buy a ready-to-fly ultralight “vehicle” for which you need no N-number, no medical, and no pilot license. Those 254-pound (max empty weight) aircraft prove America remains the land of the free and I, for one, love to fly them. *** On our way north for AirVenture my wife, Randee, and I made a series of stops. In Alabama — just a mile apart — we hit two fixed wing producers of “ultralights” that qualify as official SLSA.
It’s a great thing when a plan comes together. Consider an extension of the LSA Tour that debuted after Sebring 2011. Then, five or six brands flew around to a half dozen Florida airports and showed their LSA to groups of varying sizes. It was a first attempt, planned rather late without sufficient time to promote. *** The next tour is also working to pull itself together but the group has plans including summer tours, a website and more. The concept definitely works and here’s a fact: Most pilots don’t attend all the airshows. So why not bring the show where the people are? *** The Florida LSA Tour that took place the week after Sebring was principally organized by Bill Canino and Dave Graham. Bill’s early logic was, “We’re in Florida already and we have to fly home through the state after Sebring ends. Since everyone can’t come to Sebring, we thought we’d take the show to them.” *** The idea, involving several competitors working cooperatively, proved to be a success in the way that matters most to sellers and buyers: airplanes sold.
Every now and then the marketing geniuses in Light-Sport aviation have an exceptionally good idea. Here’s one of them. Initially organized by SportairUSA’s Bill Canino and now-American Legend marketer Dave Graham (formerly of Gobosh), a flock of planes including five of the most popular brand names will set off for Sebring-After-Sebring… or what they are calling The 2011 Florida LSA Tour. *** “We’re in Florida already and we have to fly home through the state after Sebring ends,” explained Canino. “Since everyone can’t come to Sebring, we thought we’d take the show to them.” *** Bill and Dave established a strategically-planned series of stops, contacted EAA chapters at several locations and asked them for an invitation, and offered them a cash incentive to assist with pulling out the members for the date of arrival. I hope this works well as it’s a grand idea in the LSA tradition of open and friendly competition.
Carbon Beauty -- TL Ultralight works in mostly carbon fiber and clearly has the technology down beautifully. The company has progressed a long way from its tube and fabric days. More than 350 Sting models have been delivered worldwide. Top and left photo by Jan Fridrich
Not a company to rest on their laurels, TL Ultralight — represented in America since the beginning of LSA by Sportair USA — debuted their Sting S4 at the German Aero show in April. Besides developing an all-new high-wing design (the TL-3000 Sirius …photo inset) — the S4 is the newest generation of the Czech company’s popular low wing, all-carbon-fiber Sting. Sting was the #5 SLSA ever certified and it has developed a solid U.S. following. *** TL designers know how to mold smooth lines into their designs, but they have also been dedicating hours of work to further refine one of the more evolved LSA on the market. Here’s a short list of the new developments for the Sting S4: * A stiffer-framed, better-sealed canopy improves ventilation with a vent port built right in the canopy frame; * A new instrument panel better accommodates large screen systems like Dynon’s SkyView (lower photo); * The top of the instrument panel now provides a couple handholds to assist entry/exit plus a central cavity that can hold a few small items; * Adjustable rudder pedals range 10 inches via an easy control between your lower legs (see in lower left photo in front of joystick); * Baggage capacity has been increased to 55 pounds, the compartment has been upholstered, and has a cargo net; * The entire tri-gear has been completely redesigned to provide better shock absorption and ground handling; * A new engine cowling improves cooling; * the vertical tail has been enlarged to improve stability; and, * Manual flaps have given way to easy-to-use electric flaps with the controller placed in a slightly enlarged center console.
In studio photos, Sirius conveys a smooth and modern aircraft. GA pilots will love the lengthy standard equipment list and can even add sophistication like the ForeSight infrared vision system that lets a pilot "see" even when visibility is obscured. Watch the Sirius video.
Most folks following the Light-Sport Aircraft development know the Sting, refreshed for the U.S. market with the S3 model. I covered the development announcement of TL Ultralight’s new high wing. Now, welcome to the TL3000 Sirius as the newest SLSA to hit the market in a blur of new offerings seemingly triggered after the industry hit #100. *** Importer SportairUSA maneuvered their low-wing, all-carbon-fiber Sting S3 into one of the best-equipped LSA on the market. Adding a high wing gives the company new versatility to meet market interest. *** I see the potential for keen demand from GA pilots, especially those legions trained in high-wing, yoke-controlled Cessna models. Sirius’ 48-inch wide cabin is nine inches wider than a C-172 and it can haul 420 pounds of payload even when topped off with 30 gallons of fuel that can take you 800 miles (numbers will vary depending how you equip a Sirius).
Bill Canino (right) is the U.S. importer for TL Ultralight and their Sting S3 and TL-3000 Sirius. To the left is David Dobogai, an American living in the Czech Republic to run TL. SportairUSA reports more than 70 Stings have been delivered in the USA and 500 are flying worldwide. See the Sting S3 at AOPA Expo '08.
Recently I visited Cirrus Design. I saw progress on the Cirrus Vision jet and the new Garmin Perspective panel for the SR22. Both aircraft are full of high-end avionics. *** Down here in the world of Light-Sport Aircraft, we have far less costly choices for flat-screen avionic displays (panels in the Vision or SR22 literally cost more than an entire LSA). Yet the data each set of instruments uses is identical. LSA are also often equipped with autopilots…again, far less expensively compared to the certified units GA builders install. *** Recently SportairUSA announced their new “Straight & Level” button. If you find yourself in the soup unexpectedly, the pilot or passenger can push one button causing the autopilot to take over by guiding the airplane while the occupants assess their next move. It’s a brilliant idea to give pilots a breather. “The Straight and Level system is a significant advance in flight safety for Sting owners,” says Bill Canino, operator of SportairUSA, “That’s why we are providing it at no additional cost on all of ourTruTrak EFIS/autopilot equipped Stings.” The SL button even turns the autopilot on if it was off…a mighty smart airplane at a fraction of the cost of similarly equipped GA airplanes.
If you missed the Sun 'n Fun LSA Mall in 2008, please accept an invitation for April 21-26, 2009.
Sun ‘n Fun 2008 is history, but planning is already underway for the 2009 event. Event boss John Burton confirmed we will again have the LAMA-hosted LSA Mall right at the front gate next April 21-26. A major success at this year’s Lakeland, Florida airshow, the industry Mall presentation featured 17 Special Light-Sport Aircraft. Weather prevented Fantasy Air’s Allegro from attending. Two days before the event, a tornado crushed a Sting S3 planned for display. And work at Quicksilver Manufacturing postponed the exhibit of the GT500 (they’re finishing SLSA approval, reports national sales manager, Todd Ellefson). *** The 17 who were in the ’08 LSA Mall enjoyed significant traffic all week and virtually every visitor to Sun ‘n Fun was at least exposed to Light-Sport Aircraft in a wide variety (although we were not able to enlist any trike or powered parachute companies).
Recently the euro hit 1.56 to the dollar. Watch for LSA prices to increase...again. Above the CTLS are three premium brands: (L-R) Sting S3, Remos G-3, and SkyLeader 500. Below are three bargain SLSA: X-Air LS, Sport Hornet, and EuroFox.
Lots of folks are wondering about, or complaining about, the seemingly high prices of Light-Sport Aircraft. Recently a prior editor-in-chief of EAA publications, Scott Spangler, wrote a blog on JetWhine. Scott focused on expensive avionics as one reason LSA cost so much. While a factual observation, I believe the price increase is more complex. *** First, LSA suppliers install equipment like autopilots because buyers ask for them. A large chunk of all LSA are sold to “retiring” GA pilots used to such equipment in their Cessna or Bonanza. Simpler LSA are available; most suppliers have one. But customers are buying the loaded-panel jobs. *** Let’s look closer at those rising prices. Five years ago, in the pre-dawn of SP/LSA, a CT was selling for $60,000. Today it’s $125,000. By far the largest piece of that doubling is the euro’s soaring value compared to the dollar. Were the currencies at parity, that $125,000 would be $80,000.
Those attending Sebring LSA Expo can examine S3 live and up close. Sebring starts tomorrow and runs through Sunday the 20th. C'mon down, y'all!
SEBRING 2008 UPDATE — Through the first three years of LSA sales StingSport from TL Ultralights has earned the #7 rank equaling an estimated 5% of the U.S. market. The new Sting S3 should push the popularity of this 98% carbon fiber low wing. S3 has a new fully-tapered wing and redesigned elevator trim. According to Bill Canino, president of SportairUSA, “Lower stall speed, shorter take-off roll, faster climb rate, balanced controls and exceptional slow flight characteristics are among the results.” Clean stall speed is 39 knots (45 mph); with full flaps stall comes at 34 knots (39 mph). Cruise speed at 75% power is 116 knots (133 mph), according to SportairUSA. “Rate of climb with the 100 hp Rotax 912S is better than 1,100 fpm and take-off ground roll has been measured at 255 feet,” added Bill. *** A basic fly-away Sting S3 including the GreenLine EMS is priced at $102,900.