ByDanJohnson.com

Welcome one and all to EAA’s Sport Pilot Tour in Nashville, Tennessee this Saturday (5/6/06) where you can see the SportCruiser. For more info on the Smyrna airport, visit Smyrna Air Center or get more details. Photo by Jim Raeder

Perhaps it’s the start of a new trend…early consolidation. Or maybe it’s simply a good fit between two top LSA providers. Either way, customers and sport pilots win in my opinion. Today, a joint announcement was issued by SportairUSA (national importer of the StingSport) and Czech Aircraft Works (builder of the Mermaid, Parrot, and SportCruiser). The two organizations said that SportairUSA will begin distribution of the Parrot high wing and SportCruiser low wing using their nationwide network of dealers. Czech Aircraft Works U.S. partner, Sport Aircraft Works, run by Danny Defelici welcomes the new arrangement saying, “To minimize our time to market, we required an established distributor that knows the sport aircraft market and possesses an extensive dealer network, so the logical choice was to team up with SportairUSA.” SportairUSA chief Bill Canino stated, “We are excited to represent the Parrot and SportCruiser in North America.” He added that bringing a high wing to their portfolio fills out their line and he views the SportCruiser as an exceptional trainer with a modest price tag. Both SportCruiser and StingSport can be viewed this weekend at EAA’s Sport Pilot Tour in Nashville, TN (Smyrna airport: MQY).

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Savannah is an all metal, high wing, tricycle gear, STOL airplane with side-by-side seating. Eric Giles poses with his new Special Light-Sport Aircraft. A Savannah SLSA will sell for “under $60,000.” For more info click to send e-mail.

The first Canadian company to win SLSA approval was Summit and their powered parachute, itself the first (and still only) such to declare compliance with ASTM standards. Now comes the High River, Alberta-based Savannah (photo). Skykits Corporation president Eric Giles — whom I met at his display at the Arlington Fly-in — called to say he had gained approval for two Savannahs on August 15th, becoming the 39th SLSA. Savannah was created in Italy as a variation of the CH-701 though to many eyes it enjoys a more pleasing appearance. Savannah is available in three models all using the same fuselage but with different wings. The standard Savannah offers fixed, leading-edge slats while the VG model uses vortex generators to increase STOL capabilities. Savannah ADV has a tapered wing featuring electrically operated slats and electrically operated double-slotted flaps with separate ailerons. For those seeking a utility airplane with very short takeoff and landing, Savannah offers a new choice.

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Highlander is the award-winning SLSA from Just Aircraft — judges at AirVenture and Sun ‘n Fun seem to love it. The design is factory prepared for float fitting such as this lovely example from Cornell Aero Works.

Summer fly-ins are an institution in recreational aviation. I attended one last weekend at Don Zank’s field near Bloomer, Wisconsin (north of Eau Claire). Of 50 or more planes that flew in, one was a handsome Just Aircraft Highlander “Marine” decked out in sleek amphibious floats. This time of year, while plenty of outdoorsmen pursue hunting and fishing, the amphib floatplane is versatile and desirable. Just Aircraft earned its SLSA airworthiness for Highlander — one of only seven American producers out of the 30 supplying Special Light-Sport Aircraft using ASTM consensus standards. Some customers are attracted to Highlander for its bushplane qualities. Others like its high useful load. Just Aircraft reports the 100-hp R-912 model weighs only 600 pounds empty, leaving a useful load of more than 700 pounds. With 18 gallons of fuel, Highlander claims a payload of more than 600 pounds though optional extras will cut into its carrying capacity. Click for specifications on the basic Highlander.

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Assembled in celebration, we see FAA Designated Airworthiness Rep, John Shablow (left), giving importer Matt Liknaitzky his coveted Airworthiness Certificate on July 15th. Congratulations to the whole team that worked hard on this achievement.

Matt Liknaitzky, the U.S. importer for the French-designed DTA weight-shift aircraft is the newest winner of an Airworthiness Certificate for this world-spanning trike. A DTA Voyageur was used in a spectacular 1999 flight from the tip of South America through the USA across the Atlantic and back down through Europe to South Africa. This immense 26,703-mile cross country trip was accomplished by Mike Blyth and Olivier Aubert and was beautifully documented on a DVD video called “South to South.” The very tough Rotax 912-powered DTA trike is distinguished by its structural mast that makes a forward support tube unnecessary, thereby improving visibility. *** Matt is also the importer of a line of electronic flight instruments under the brand name Stratomaster. I’ve flown with them and loved their clean, clear display. His business, Sport Flying Shop, also carries a wide variety of other flying gear, and is based at the Torrence, California airport.

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Welcome to the 2-cylinder, 4-stroke HKS, now available for Light-Sport Aircraft. You can read my evaluation of the HKS engine as mounted by ASAP for their Chinook Plus 2.

After Rotax announced ASTM compliance for their lightweight 582 two-stroke engine, many American pilots celebrated. This lighter, simpler powerplant (compared to the 9-series engines) gave ultralight builders seeking SLSA certification more flexibility while significantly lowering cost for buyers. Now HKS enters the arena issuing a Statement of Compliance for the horizontally opposed, twin-cylinder, four-stroke, 60-hp 700E engine. HKS is lighter than four-cylinder engines and can save buyers several thousand dollars. American importer HPower has assisted at least 29 companies as they became HKS-powered, including such leading names as RANS, Quicksilver, Murphy, Earthstar, CGS, Titan, ASAP, and Flightstar. The Japanese company, HKS Aviation Co., Ltd., made their declaration on July 16, one month after the Rotax 582. Behind HKS Aviation is real depth in a 400-employee company active in high-performance auto components. I’ve flown a number of airplanes with this engine and have become converted to its smooth power.

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CubCrafters’ Sport Cub represents only the seventh American-made Special Light-Sport Aircraft in the list of 37 ASTM-certified aircraft. The 26-year-old business is based in Yakima, Washington.

CubCrafters, builder of the Part 23 Top Cub, won their SLSA airworthiness today, becoming SLSA #37 to make their Statement of Compliance under ASTM consensus standards. The Washington state company brings the third J-3 Cub-like product to the market following Texas-based Legend Cub and the Zlin Savage from Italy. CubCrafters’ version follows their conventionally certified Top Cub and the company prides itself on building the Sport Cub CC11-100 on the same assembly line, which some buyers will value. AirFleet Capital, EAA’s official aircraft financing partner, is willing to finance a Sport Cub over a 20-year period (longer than other brands) because it is built on a Part 23 production line. Sport Cub is powered by the 100-hp O-200 Continental engine (as is the Legend Cub, though that company is also working with the Jabiru 3300) which allows the CubCrafters’ model to cruise at 105 mph (91 knots). If you’re attending AirVenture Oshkosh, you can check out the Sport Cub in person.

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Among EAA Fly-Ins, Arlington is number three behind AirVenture Oshkosh and Sun ‘n Fun.

One of the most beautiful areas in the 48 states is Washington state, especially in summer. So, no wonder the third largest fly-in of the USA takes place north of Seattle in July. Some 50-60,000 visitors attend. With Boeing nearby, tons of seaplane activity, plus being relatively close to aviation-crazy Alaska, Arlington is the major western event. This year it will be even better as Arlington has its own LSA Mall, modeled after the same concept at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. *** Thankfully, I’m recovering well from my injuries in early April and will attend. If you can come to Arlington, look me up in the Mall on the 5-6-7th of July. Later in July, I’ll do duty in Oshkosh’s LSA Mall from July 23-30. I hope to see you at one of these or at a Sport Pilot Tour stop — Minneapolis (Aug. 19), Boston (Sep. 9), Riverside, CA (Dec. 2) San Diego (Dec. 9), and Houston (Feb. 17, 2007). It’s great to be back in the airshow circuit!

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SLSA expected at Chicago — Remos G-3, EuroFox, Jabiru J-250 and J-170, Allegro, Thorpedo (photo), StingSport, Flight Design CTsw, Evektor SportStar, Zenith 601, Kappa KP-5. Come see them all!

The country’s third largest metro area will soon be visited by a collection of Light-Sport Aircraft plus hundreds of pilots and friends interested in Sport Pilot. On Saturday, June 17th get out and enjoy these activities — EAA experts will answer questions on the Sport Pilot license. You can sign up for a free Sport Pilot certificate if you’re an EAA member. You can close-up examine SLSA in a relaxed environment that will give you time to ask your questions and try on the aircraft for fit. The Sport Pilot Tour brings all this to an airport near you, this month on the outskirts of the Windy City. Food is available. The event is free. All Sport Pilot Tour stops are staged near areas with large general and pilot populations to insure the best results. Minneapolis will be next (Aug. 19), Boston (Sep. 9), Riverside CA (Dec. 2) San Diego (Dec. 9), and Houston (Feb. 17, 2007). When one comes to you, get out and see it.

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Assuming they go forward with an LSA, will Cessna emulate their familiar shape or create a clean-sheet design? Either way, this adds credibility to the Sport Pilot/Light-Sport Aircraft segment.

Earlier this year at Sebring Cessna officials including boss Jack Pelton made a stealth visit to the LSA Expo (see SPLOG of January 14, 2006). Well, a bizjet hiding among Light-Sport Aircraft wasn’t particularly stealthy but they were apparently serious. Today the rumor mill kicked into overdrive with the big company’s formal announcement that it is “studying the feasibility of developing and producing a Light Sport Aircraft (LSA).” Cessna said they’ll have have a mockup in the LSA Mall at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2006 and noted that LSA represents “the highest growth sector of general aviation.” This announcement is both exciting and more than a little scary for current LSA providers. Cessna jumped into the Very Light Jet (VLJ) market with their Mustang, and they are supposedly creating a “Cirrus Killer.” The storied brand is glancing over its shoulder in several aviation markets. Big companies are often less nimble than small players. Cessna indicated they will make their decision about a LSA early in 2007.

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The ubiquitous Rotax 912 or 912S powers the majority of LSA (Jabiru and Continental have smaller slices of the market). But many general aviation mechanics and flight school operators have given the powerplant a bad rap. With education they may come to love the efficient engine as do many sport pilots.

As I’ve traveled for EAA approaching major flight schools to interest them in pursuing Sport Pilot training and using LSA, I’ve often heard one retort. These large general aviation schools — using Cessna, Piper, Diamond — say, “We’ve gotten poor reports about Rotax.” The problem appears to stem from Diamond’s original Katana powered by a 912 Rotax. While European A&P mechanics knew the engine, American maintenance people did not. Diamond didn’t fully train mechanics so they handled the engine incorrectly. Eventually, engine reliability suffered. Now, one of the country’s top sellers of Rotax engines aims to change that unfortunate perception through education. Former Cirrus executive, Dean Vogel, has teamed up with Phil Lockwood to form the Aero Technical Institute (ATI). They’ll start May 25-26 offering training sessions on Rotax powerplants. Courses will be at Lockwood‘s sprawling operation at the Sebring airport and perhaps ATI will travel to A&Ps later. As the GA community learns more about Rotax maintenance, I hope their attitude will change. Hopefully it’ll be ATI to the rescue!

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