Announced in July ’04, the Light-Sport
Aircraft (LSA) category is still relatively new, and has
yet to celebrate its fourth birthday. But many of the airplanes
getting all the attention today were not born in
the last 3 1/2 years. Many have rather long histories,
some in Europe’s microlight category and others in countries
that have applicable standards.
Among the longest in production is the Tecnam family
of airplanes. The central Italian company reports more
than 2,000 of their light planes flying in what may be the
largest fleet in this market segment. Given this company’s
track record, these airplanes have gone through
rounds of improvement. Our subject this month, the
P2002 Sierra, came from the P-96. The numbers relate to
the year of development and show the low-wing Special
Light-Sport Aircraft (SLSA) from Tecnam has a dozen
years of history.
Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam (the company’s complete
name) is 57 years old and traces its roots back to
the 1950 P48B Astore.
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2008 In Review; a Look at the Year for LSA Sales
With one month to go (and it’s hard to imagine a big December), we have figures to report for this most extraordinary year. We’re all (painfully) aware of the economic predicament, but how has this impacted light-sport aviation? Here’s my observations. *** In 11 months, the industry has increased fleet size by 35% to 1,510 fixed wing airplanes from 1,118 on January 1st. Annualizing the numbers, all airplane LSA should register 427 airplanes, which equates to about 35 aircraft per month, which means sales were about 20% off the monthly pace recorded since early 2006. *** Flight Design held its top spot and again delivered the most, but just barely. Remos has been the rising star of 2008 with a 147% increase over their total on January 1st. Tecnam became only the third company to pass 100 units registered. Other solid gains were logged by Czech Aircraft Works (up 69% in the year); Jabiru (up 53%); FPNA (up 55%, though from a lower number, which makes larger percentage gains easier); Aeropro (up 52%).
LAMA Pushing Hard to Provide Audit Oversight
These days, “oversight” is a heavily used word on national media. But far from the strangeness of government bailouts is the world of Light-Sport Aircraft. For the new aviation sector, industry oversight is seen as critical by LAMA and many aviation leaders. *** A conversation with LAMA founder* Larry Burke shows the LSA industry organization is moving steadily toward its oversight goals. Insurance companies and others hope LAMA will audit companies supplying 80% of purchased LSA. Once that “critical mass” is reached, insurers feel they can advise customers do as LAMA encourages…”Look for the LAMA Label.” *** A LAMA audit verifies that a company which declares compliance to ASTM standards actually possesses the documentation to prove their declaration. After successfully passing a LAMA audit, a company can place LAMA Labels on their LSA so that potential customers are aware the company has satisfactorily completed a voluntary third party audit.
LSA on their Way to San Jose (AOPA Expo)
Everyone is talking about tough economic times and aviators note the effect on the LSA and GA industries. But that won’t stop a good selection of Light-Sport Aircraft from appearing at AOPA’s annual Expo, this year in San Jose, California over November 6-7-8. In fact, with 60+ display airplanes expected and 14-15 of them LSA (list below photo), the light sector once again has a strong presence. *** Thanks to cooperation from AOPA static aircraft display organizers, LSA will once again be presented largely as a group (think LSA Mall). And the location for the collected LSA is sweet indeed: immediately inside the entryway to AOPA’s static aircraft display at Norman Mineta airport. You won’t be able to miss the LSA collection, so come on out and do a little shopping. *** In addition to aircraft displays, AOPA offers a wide range of seminars, including two presentations I will give called, “State of the Light-Sport Aircraft Industry” (TH-11/6 and SA-11/8, both at 11 AM to noon).
Hanging with the Jet Crowd; LSA at NBAA
Earlier it appeared that the Flight Design MC would be the first Light-Sport Aircraft ever displayed at the giant National Business Aircraft Association show. NBAA is the organization representing business jets plus a large range of exhibitors serving executive transportation. The trade show happening now in Orlando is a stupendous event with many more exhibitors than Oshkosh. Numerous displays are fantastic creations that cost more for a three-day show than LSA producers spend to market themselves for an entire year. *** So it is fascinating indeed that any LSA would be present at this event. And, in fact, two are seen by the bizjet crowd: the MC and Icon‘s handsome amphibious LSA project, the A5. Icon mounted their own display and reported good response, especially when one of their team hits the auto wing fold button. Even jaded aviators tend to have a jaw-drop reaction to this feature.
Shifting LSA Market Share Positions in Tough 2008
Reading the headlines these days shows the USA is flying through turbulence. Light-Sport Aircraft sales are suffering as are GA sales. Growth rates are off, without question, but not uniformly. We have a few companies that improved their positions in this difficult year. *** If you measure by the number of aircraft registered, top producers held on quite well, with Flight Design, Remos, Tecnam, Jabiru, Czech Aircraft Works and Legend, in order, recording the most registrations through eight months of 2008. If you measure by percentage of growth, we observe some interesting developments. But remember, those with the most total registrations are unlikely to also show the highest percentage of growth since their count on January 1, 2008. Smaller or new players logging some sales may have high percentages as they started low. *** Leading the percentage action was Urban Air, whose Lambada fleet has grown 140% (to 12).
Light-Sport Aircraft Massing for Sun ‘n Fun
Lots more fun than a military build-up but bearing some resemblance, companies across the USA are preparing for Sun ‘n Fun starting Tuesday the 4th. I was on the grounds today and it already looks busy. I also traveled to Lockwood Aviation at the Sebring, Florida airport. A busy crew was assembling airplanes from Flight Design and Tecnam in preparation for the show in nearby Lakeland. Other companies set up at South Lakeland Airpark — the relaxed strip a mere three air miles from Sun ‘n Fun (where I do the majority of my flight evaluations). Today, I got a chance to compare a late-model 2005 CTsw with the 2006 model; look for the full report in EAA Sport Pilot for June 2006. Tomorrow, the folks at Sport Aircraft Works are hosting me to fly the Parrot, Sport Cruiser, and Mermaid from Czech Aircraft Works.
Industry Reacts to Cessna’s “Study” of LSA Market
Industry response was swift and varied to Cessna‘s announcement that the big manufacturer will study the LSA market for a possible entry. Also, an earlier announcement from EAA was updated to reflect that the Cessna mock-up (now called a “proof-of-concept” display) will be south of AeroShell Square…which means just north of, but very near, the LSA Mall. Sportair USA president Bill Canino said, “We welcome Cessna to the LSA market; it is a tremendous impact to see a large player in our sandbox.” Others expressed curiosity as to what Cessna might bring to market, “If [Cessna’s LSA] is a ‘152 Lite,’ it may not be that appealing…[yet] this will legitimize sport planes particularly with flight schools.” Flight Design‘s Matthias Betsch and his U.S. importer Tom Peghiny also find Cessna’s potential entry to be a validation of their efforts and repeated the feeling that this will help convince flight schools that LSA are viable for training use.
LSA Dominate $300,000 NASA Challenge 2008
Amid furious preparations for Oshkosh, CAFE Foundation, the efficiency folks, announced teams that will vie for a second year of prizes. CAFE has a $300,000 purse thanks to their partnership with NASA, which is celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2008. *** It may not surprise you to hear that four of five teams entered will fly Light-Sport Aircraft, and at least one is sure to end in the money as one prize ($10,000) is for “Quietest LSA.” Other prizes are a maximum of $150,000 for lowest community noise; two $50,000 prizes, one for “Green,” another for safety judged by handling qualities; a $25,000 speed prize; and four $3,750 “Showcase Prizes” covering quietest cabin, best angle of climb, shortest takeoff, and best glide. Winning a couple of the larger prizes is enough money “to actually buy someone their own LSA,” said CAFE President, Brien Seeley. *** The teams competing will fly a Pipistrel Virus (last year’s big winner of $165,000!–photo); a modified Diamond DA20-A1; a Dynamic WT9; the UFM-13 Lambada, and a Flight Design CTsw.
Strong Survive 2008; LSA Market Share Adjustments
Through the first six months of 2008, Light-Sport Aircraft deliveries have reflected the same challenges afflicting the rest of general or sport aviation…and for that matter, the overall U.S. economy. In fact, LSA registrations aren’t off as badly as are GA deliveries, perhaps due to significantly better fuel economy in an LSA. These FAA registrations can be analyzed to show trends. *** In the first half of 2008, the LSA industry registered 248 aircraft, which is 22% of all registrations from April 2005 through December 2007 (1,118). Many find it interesting to observe how market leaders compare. If a supplier registered less than 22% of their fleet in 2008, they slipped in market share (even if they registered more total airplanes). If they exceeded that figure, they gained market share. In the first half of 2008 gainers included: Remos up 62%; Czech Aircraft Works 47%; FPNA 45%; Gobosh 38%; Tecnam 35%; Aeropro 32%; and AMD 28%.
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