Meet the top model from FK Lightplanes.
The frenzy over the FAA’s light-sport aircraft (LSA) and sport pilot proposal continues. Pilots from ultralight to general aviation are discussing it, and the new rule may be released soon, according to those aware of FAA deliberations. We may be about to witness the birth of a new aviation segment. But unlike its predecessors, this one may come with aircraft ready to meet the need. An interesting twist on this American story is that European designs may dominate the first aircraft to fly under the rule, providing they comply with the consensus standards currently being drafted by the community.
This month, let’s meet one of the sleekest, FK Lightplanes’ Polaris FK-14 from Germany.
A Family Business
Peter and Otto Funk are the family members behind the Polaris and its siblings, the high-wing FK-9 (which has gone through three distinct versions) and the folding-wing biplane FK-12.
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GA Flight Schools Starting to Pursue Sport Pilot
In late 2005 I began visiting general aviation flight schools around the country on behalf of EAA and industry. I found a few schools already embracing FAA’s newest class of pilots and aircraft. One is Falcon Executive Aviation in Mesa, Arizona. When I visited this school at the occasion of the Phoenix Sport Pilot Tour, I asked Vic Hannig how he felt about their use of an LSA. Specifically, I wanted to know if the LSA was taking flight hours away from their fleet of GA aircraft trainers. His answer, “No. It’s new money.” His comment referred to students they would not have trained otherwise were it not for their acquisition of a LSA and their pursuit of Sport Pilot instruction. Falcon isn’t the only school to support SP/LSA. St. Charles Flying Service (St. Louis area) and Aero-Tech (2 schools in Kentucky) are also enthused about the new category, plus others I don’t have room to list here.
EAA’s Sport Pilot Tour Scores Another Big Success
Snowbirds like Arizona in the winter and for good reason. Beautiful skies, pleasantly warm temperatures, and lots of smiling faces. Phoenix and neighboring city, Mesa (just a bit east) are also havens for aviation. Falcon Field is home to a huge variety of aircraft and proved friendly to Light-Sport Aircraft as no less than 18 of them arrived for EAA’s last-of-2005 Sport Pilot Tour event. Thirteen manufacturers showed their models to more than 500 registered visitors (plus quite a few more that didn’t register) on the ramp of the excellent Commemorative Air Force (CAF) facility at Falcon Field. Great EAA volunteers helped pull it off along with a very welcoming CAF organization. Now, EAA is deep into planning for eight more events in the next year, starting in April and running through next February. If one gets within a few hours drive of your home, you’ll find it worthwhile to attend.
Earthstar Soaring Gull 2000; Light Motorglider
An old friend just brought home an airplane I’ve long admired. Bob Chase of California’s Perris Valley airport is the proud new owner of Soaring Gull 2000 No. 1 from Earthstar Aircraft designer Mark Beierle. Though its wingspan is only 28 feet (think: easy storage), Soaring Gull 2000 manages a 16:1 glide that will assure you can stay aloft on most days with decent thermal or ridge lift. The Gull 2000 single seater fuselage is fitted with a wing two bays (~ 2 ft.) longer than Earthstar’s two seat Odyssey. Because the airplane is small and efficient, the 133 square foot wing has plenty of area; she is said to soar quite well. My favorite old Cloud Dancer had 16:1 performance (on 40-ft. wings of the same area); I managed two hours engine off for every powered hour. I loved soaring it and I look forward to accepting Bob’s offer to fly his.
Air Creation Buggy/Kiss
For many years, I’ve been critical of trike handling. While I try never to forecast the future, I’ve gone out on a limb and predicted that rigid-wings will eventually become commonplace on trikes (though I don’t also predict delta wings will disappear).
Going Rigid?
Rigid-wings look a lot like modern hang gliders and trike wings in many ways, but they have control surfaces. Because these surfaces are deployed via weight-shift movements they neatly combine the benefits of 3-axis ultralights – lower control forces and good control authority – with the elegant simplicity of weight-shift. Rigid-wings can carry good weight and are somewhat faster than delta wings (called “flex wings” by hang glider pilots), and they also handle more easily. I think this makes them a nearly inevitable development.
While I still believe rigid-wings are coming to trikes, it may take longer than I thought because the trike industry may finally be rising to the challenge.
Sebring Expo 2005 Will Be Huge for LSA
Last year the Sebring (FL) Airport broke new ground with their U.S. Sport Aviation Expo at the end of October. Expo is on again for 2005 and will have the largest collection of Light-Sport Aircraft anywhere. Organizer Bob Wood reports, “I expect over 130 aircraft on display.” By any measure, that deserves a “Wow!” Sebring was also named GA Airport of the Year and just signed a deal to be the home of the new Cub Air Academy. The latter is a well-funded effort to introduce more folks to flying LSA in a structured environment. I highly recommend the “Sebring Expo.” If you can come, look me up…
SpaceShipOne and White Knight at Oshkosh 2005
It was just too cool for a space buff like me…that is, me and hundreds of thousands more at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. I know this isn’t Sport Pilot or Light-Sport Aircraft stuff but I feel SpaceShipOne represents one of the great accomplishments of our age and I can’t resist showing you what it looked like on arrival for its one-and-only-EVER appearance in public. Folks who go to Oshkosh can see the enormous machine up close. Then, they can walk 100 yards south to the first-ever LSA Mall which features 35 light sport planes of every description. The area has proved a home-run hit and is drawing big crowds. This is a great year to visit Oshkosh; it runs through Sunday the 31st. If you come to the LSA Mall, look me up…
More S-LSA Approved by FAA
IndUS Aviation of Dallas, Texas received FAA approval for their Thorpedo model as a Special-Light Sport Aircraft. IndUS is the first U.S.-based manufacturer to earn a S-LSA certificate; the company takes airframe components fabricated in India and assembles them at their Texas facility. IndUS can now sell fully built LSA that can be used for paid flight training or rentals. (My review of this aircraft is available here.) For more info go to the IndUS website. Two other companies have also received approvals recently. SportAir USA was issued a certificate for their StingSport just before Hansen Air Group got their approval for the Tecnam Sierra.
All the Plane You May Want
Over the years, Titan Aircraft has made their Tornado a familiar aircraft seen at flight parks and airports around the nation. Since it was introduced in ’91, the sleek, efficient plane has evolved into a variety of models.
This month we examine the fine work of Roger Bacon who created a lovely red-and-white Tornado II 912, powered by the 100-hp Rotax 912S 4-stroke powerplant expected to be commonplace on light-sport aircraft. Bacon’s airplane is licensed in the Amateur-built category but its facts and figures suggest it could be flown with FAA’s proposed Sport Pilot certificate (until FAA’s new rule is introduced, a private pilot’s certificate or better is required).
Usually I prefer to fly a factory airplane to make sure it correctly represents what a buyer might receive. However, Bacon’s model is so well done, Titan Aircraft encouraged a test flight. Thanks to Bacon for his willingness to let me take his pride and joy aloft.
Hybrid Powered Chute
As focus sharpens on FAA’s proposed Light-Sport Aircraft regulation, the first aircraft segment to complete an ASTM airworthiness consensus standard is powered parachutes. While these aircraft are simpler, which helped speed the process, participating manufacturers got together well and hammered out their certification rules efficiently.
Summit Powered Parachutes of Canada hasn’t yet chosen to enter the Light-Sport Aircraft arena. They aren’t worried, just wary of new regulations. In fact, the company started work under England’s BCAR S regulation. Just recently, Summit was working to qualify for German DHV certification. They see no great challenge passing the proposed U.S. powered parachute standards, as currently defined.
Fortunately, the proposed Light-Sport Aircraft is not the only destination in sport aviation. It may be part of the spectrum of aviation regulations.
We’re seeing more new designs tuned to Part 103. And the Amateur-Built 51% rule will still allow many 2-seat ultralights to be built and flown as they are today.
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