All week at Sun and Fun 2023 my eye kept drifting to a rather distinctive gyroplane. We’ve seen side-by-side before (AutoGyro, Magni, and Rotorvox, the latter being closet to Nisus). I liked those for the same reason as most pilots. Generally, we enjoy sitting next to our cabin mate although some prefer the “dual solo” configuration of fore-and-aft tandem seating.
Since it wasn’t side by side that did it, was it the way the canopy seemed to hinge forward and nearly off? Was it the dual-boom empennage?
No, it was something much simpler.
Several years ago, Cadillac redesigned their line of luxury cars with what I’d call a “faceted” look, that is, body panels composed of straight or flat surfaces with angular lines (something like the “facets” that help a cut diamond catch the light). I had car-geek friends that simply hated Cadillac’s look.Nisus Gyro “Spacecraft” — Faceted Yet Sleek, Side-by-Side, and Loaded with Cleverness
All week at Sun and Fun 2023 my eye kept drifting to a rather distinctive gyroplane. We’ve seen side-by-side before (AutoGyro, Magni, and Rotorvox, the latter being closet to Nisus). I liked those for the same reason as most pilots. Generally, we enjoy sitting next to our cabin mate although some prefer the “dual solo” configuration of fore-and-aft tandem seating.
Since it wasn’t side by side that did it, was it the way the canopy seemed to hinge forward and nearly off? Was it the dual-boom empennage?
No, it was something much simpler.
American Rich Lanning gave me a tour of the Slovakian Nisus Gyro.
Several years ago, Cadillac redesigned their line of luxury cars with what I’d call a “faceted” look, that is, body panels composed of straight or flat surfaces with angular lines (something like the “facets” that help a cut diamond catch the light). I had car-geek friends that simply hated Cadillac’s look. I liked it. I thought it conveyed a strong, formidable appearance. Like a car’s paint color, such design features are very personal.
Nisus Gyroplane
Nisus leaders Jindrich Zahumensky (CEO and founder) and Ondrej Jancovic (COO and product development) have been head-down for three years said U.S. representative, Rich Lanning. What we saw at Sun ‘n Fun 2023 was one of three in existence. However, based a long list of special design qualities and the installation of a potent engine, I predict we’ll see more Nisus gyros.
Jindrich and Ondrej could see what the other side-by-side gyro producers were doing and they clearly set out to further those design efforts. The earlier designs simply don’t have all the innovative ideas that Nisus does.
I realize that a substantial majority of my readers prefer fixed wing aircraft so I keep a rather close focus on conventional three-axis flying machines. However, I like trikes and gyroplanes, too, and they deserve regular coverage for those enthusiasts.
Nisus uses a primary structure welded from chrome molybdenum steel tubes (25crmo4 NBK), reducing weight while ensuring a rigid form and enhanced safety. The inside of the cabin is fully layered with a carbon Kevlar hybrid for occupant safety.
The empennage is a rare (though not unique) gyroplane design with double rudders to improve low-speed maneuvering at low speed, such as during landings.
Getting the Details Right
At Sun ‘n Fun 2023 and once afterward, I visited with Rich to review all the upgrades Jindrich and Ondrej introduced. Some are minor and simple. Others are novel. All have some merit. Let’s review…
✔️ Simple but necessary. How do you tie down a gyroplane. Not by its “wings.” Instead, Nisus provides tie downs on all three wheels.
✔️ Nisus’ engine cowl unlatches in three places on each side. Pilots must remove the cowling to check the oil. Why the added step? This careful pair of designers wanted to be sure pilots examine the whole engine before flight, not merely check the oil quantity. The engine cowl is secured by latches, not screws; they have guide pins to help seat each latch properly. It only takes a few minutes. Nonetheless, Rich said they have asked about hinging the cowl panels to make this inspection easier. Their goal was good but removing the cowl seems burdensome.
Red arrow depicts a removable, specially-configured weight used when flying solo from the right seat.
✔️ Nisus provides two gas doors. “I’m not sure why they use two fill points,” wondered Rich, “but you can fill from either side into a single tank.” Nisus comes with a fuel dip stick, which can be used on either side to verify quantity. Many aircraft fuel-fill points use a curved pipe that can cause fuel back splash if you refuel too quickly (airports serving large, thirsty airplanes often pump fuel very fast). With Nisus’ straight down pipes, Rich says he never splashes.
✔️ The seat back moves fore and aft either at top or bottom. This is the principal adjustment for shorter or taller pilots. The seat cushion does not move, however, the rudder pedals are adjustable so Nisus fits different sized pilots easily.
Custom-made luggage precisely fits those spaces aft of the seat. Also note fuel tank dipstick at top center.
✔️ The cabin with its large acrylic canopy is vented in front of pedals aided by a variable speed fan. Two canopy side-mounted inlets assure plenty of cabin airflow. For colder climates, Nisus also has heat.
✔️ A fuel cut-off is easy to reach; some design place this important emergency control in harder-to-reach locations.
✔️ Nisus uses pneumatic control supplied by an on-board air compressor for a rotor brake and for the rotor disk trim system. Hydraulics are used for wheel braking.
✔️ Nisus uses an integrated throttle, wheel-brake lever, and prerotator handle grouped for one-hand operation. Rich said that Nisus prerotator spins up the rotor quickly (15-20 seconds) and you can go full power as this happens. With a simple hand gesture, you can relax the wheel brake and release the prerotator without removing your hand from the throttle. This makes great sense in an important phase of flight.
✔️ A glove box aft of the throttle quadrant has inside it a zippered lining that when unzipped gives access the control cables and more for inspection… another minor but clever way to check your bird before flight.
Nisus’ canopy swings down but also slides fore and aft to ease entry and exit.
✔️ Less frequently, recommended every 100 hours, you can perform a simple check for weldment fatigue — cracks in the chrome moly welds — by using an access point to pressurize the steel tubes. With the correct technique this could uncover a major problem before it arises.
✔️ Nisus offers custom-designed passenger luggage that perfectly fits openings behind the seats while matching the interior.
✔️ Kanardia avionics are installed.
✔️ Nisus is amply powered by a 141 horsepower Rotax 915iS as standard. Engine inlets for cooling appear top and bottom of the engine compartment with plenums to direct the air.
✔️ Rich noted that Nisus offers a very tight turning radius.
✔️ Pre-configured weights that are custom fit to a location in front of the rudder pedals are provided. This mass is used during solo operation; the pilot-in-command sits in the right seat.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Nisus Gyroplane
all specifications provided by the Slovak factory
- Length — 16.6 feet
- Width — 5.5 feet
- Height — 8.9 feet
- Cabin Width — 51 inches
- Cruise Speed — 70-86 knots
- Maximum Speed — 105 knots
- Engine — Rotax 915iS, fuel injected, intercooled
- Power — 141 Horsepower
- Rotor — Gyrotech (brand) 28.25 feet diameter
- Fuel Tank Capacity — 24 U.S. gallons
- Airframe (primary structure) — Welded chrome molybdenum steel tubes
- Propeller — Composite, 3-blade
- Takeoff Distance — 656 feet
- Landing Distance — 492 feet
- Takeoff Roll — 230-390 feet
- Landing Roll — 0-60 feet
Nisus got their start in 2005 making the Joker Trike. It continues in production alongside the gyroplane.
All week at Sun and Fun 2023 my eye kept drifting to a rather distinctive gyroplane. We’ve seen side-by-side before (AutoGyro, Magni, and Rotorvox, the latter being closet to Nisus). I liked those for the same reason as most pilots. Generally, we enjoy sitting next to our cabin mate although some prefer the “dual solo” configuration of fore-and-aft tandem seating.
Since it wasn’t side by side that did it, was it the way the canopy seemed to hinge forward and nearly off? Was it the dual-boom empennage?
No, it was something much simpler.
Several years ago, Cadillac redesigned their line of luxury cars with what I’d call a “faceted” look, that is, body panels composed of straight or flat surfaces with angular lines (something like the “facets” that help a cut diamond catch the light). I had car-geek friends that simply hated Cadillac’s look.
Let’s begin with a focus on the modest cost of Merlin. I promote affordable aviation all day long. That word “affordable” means something different to every single pilot so every time I use the word someone is going to tell me, “It’s still too expensive.”
Look I get it. I’m a consumer, too. Plus, who doesn’t enjoy a deal? So here’s the short answer: “Finished Price: $34,000.” That’s a direct quote from 
One main reason given by Brad Damm, the company’s vice president of sales and marketing, is because customers asked for it. However, Brad has several other good reasons, which he shared in the video below.
“We invested in several new technologies to make the Carbon Cub UL even lighter and better performing than its predecessor, the Carbon Cub SS,” stated CubCrafters. “The goal is a new airplane that features multi-fuel technology (mogas and/or avgas), fully meets ASTM standards, and carries two adult people with a full fuel load and a reasonable amount of baggage at a takeoff weight of 600 kilograms or 1,320 pounds.”
“Our Carbon Cub was first introduced in 2009 and has been a successful aircraft for both CubCrafters and the entire backcountry flying community,” stated Patrick Horgan, CubCrafters President and CEO. “Now, we’re reimagining the Carbon Cub by incorporating the latest in pre-preg composites, more titanium components, and innovative manufacturing techniques, along with the best new engine and avionics technologies for even more performance and versatility.” Brad further elaborates some of these upgrades in the video below.
The production version of the new aircraft is slated to be initially built, certified, and test flown as a Light-Sport Aircraft at the CubCrafters factory in Yakima, Washington, but it will also meet Ultralight category requirements in many international jurisdictions.
The UL concept of a lighter and even better performing version of the Carbon Cub for international markets was first seen for a stunt in Dubai, UAE. A technology demonstrator version of the aircraft was able to successfully land and take off again from a 27-meter (about 90 foot) diameter heliport that is suspended 56 stories above the ground on top of Dubai’s iconic skyscraper, Burj Al Arab hotel as part of a recent Red Bull project that inspired audiences worldwide.
Quicksilver is now more stable than it’s been since the very beginning back in the late 1970s. That’s because in the last ownership shift, Bever and family bought the whole shebang. They purchased everything except the GT500 but covering the entire product line from the MX or Sprint/Sport series to the single seat GT400. It took several semi-truck loads to bring it all from southern California to Reserve, Louisiana.
Air Tech, Inc., has a broad product and. service capability. They have all the original Quicksilver parts, many accessory items (never produced by Quicksilver, Inc.), and can aid repair on any Quicksilver model.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Maybe these new-fangled flying contraptions have numerous (indecipherable) names because they’re still deciding which way they’re headed?
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.
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.”
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.
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.
In those two decades, LSA have arrived and flown in nearly every country on Earth.
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.
AeroJones has a patient investor with a longer horizon and the company has rewarded him by steadily increasing business.
AeroJones was established in 2013 and is completing its 10th year in business, a noteworthy accomplishment it will celebrate officially in 2023.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
“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.
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!
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.
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:
Durability and reliability: “Aventura is built with high-quality materials and is designed to withstand the rigors of operating in various environments.”
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Using their system that worked beautifully for homebuilders, EAA cooked up Virtual Ultralight Days.
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 
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.”
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.
“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.
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.
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 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.
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.”
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.