Thanks to Jim Lawrence for keeping SPLOG full of fun-to-read info while I was massively occupied with a move of the ByDanJohnson.com and LAMA offices from Minnesota to a new home in Florida… Spruce Creek Fly-in near Daytona Beach to be precise. As I return to SPLOG, I have a few interesting tidbits involving LSA or other aircraft Sport Pilot may fly. *** Speaking of Sport Pilots, aviators with that certificate may now legally use it to fly to the Bahamas — the first country outside of the USA to accept the newest FAA license. So far, 21 LSA are signed up for the first Bahamas International Sport Pilot Fly-in. Lucky me… thanks to a generous offer from Breezer Aircraft USA boss Mike Z, my wife Randee and I get to join the over-water parade to the Bahamas. Watch video of Mike Z about his earlier flight to the Bahamas.
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Full-Blown Midwest LSA Expo
That title is a bit tongue-in-cheek, since the first day of the Midwest LSA Expo here in Mount Vernon, IL was what you’d call winnnnnndy! *** The big storm front grounded our flight of two Evektor SportStar MAXs two hours east of here Wednesday. That was after our long, headwind-bashing flight from Art Tarola’s Allentown, PA AB Flight center that added two extra hours to the journey (glad it was a MAX — super comfortable airplane to fly and spend time in). *** The heat and humidity (95 degrees) at least had 25 knot winds to help keep it bearable all day, but there was no flying to speak of until the last hour of the day when the wind died down. *** I took the opportunity to jump up and shoot a few landings with Bill Canino in his iCub, which was a hoot.
Breezin’ the Bahamas
Just heard from Mike Zidziunas of Breezer Aircraft USA who gave me a touch of the end-of-summer blues with his chronicle of a trip he just made with two Breezers to those magical isles in the Caribbean. *** “I was probably the most excited person at Airventure this year,” Mike writes, “when I heard the government of the Bahamas would allow sport pilots to fly there from the States using a driver’s license instead of a medical.” *** Mike knows the Sport Pilot turf well: he was one of the first to get the ticket and has been a Sport Pilot CFI since 2005. His flight school is strictly Sport Aviation and he’s flown LSA on hundreds of hours of cross country trips all over the US. *** “And now I can fly to my favorite place on earth!” *** Before the trek, there was of course the paperwork, including securing radio station licenses for the planes, radio telephone operators licenses for the pilots, customs user decals, and registration with eAPIS for customs manifest filing.
Best LSA Picks of 2010
More than 20 Top LSA You Can Buy
The light-sport aircraft industry hangs in there, although sales numbers, as with general aviation, still struggle to gain safe altitude in the stormy economic skies. Encouraging item: LSA sales in 2009 represented nearly 25% of all GA piston purchases. Another surprise: Most of the 107 models available for sale here and abroad are still in production with more new models in the pipeline! Nobody’s getting rich (this is aviation, remember?), but most makers believe the turnaround will come. That’s the spirit!
And with the Euro taking heat against the dollar lately as Europe goes through its own econoclysm, U.S. prices for foreign-produced LSA could drop. Many airframe makers lowered prices, but the industry still faces challenges: ongoing dyspepsia imbued by the sluggish recovery; market recognition… many people still aren’t aware of what an LSA is, maybe that’s why 20% of all U.S. sales in the U.S.
Oshkosh A-Poppin’
Posting from the road: I’m in Illinois covering a major DC-3 75th Anniversary event for Plane & Pilot for the next couple days, then on up to Oshkosh Airventure for the show all next week. I’ll be posting LSA news from the road but before I head out into the super-humid, super hot thunderstormy day, here’s a couple things to look for if you’re Oshkosh bound: *** LAMA Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association headed by Pres. Dan Johnson expects a robust event schedule for Airventure so I’ll bring you updates whenever possible. *** Some tidbits for what’s to come: *** <> The LSA Mall is full again this year even with the sluggish economy. Here’s who signed up: *** <> Flight Design (CTLS) *** <> Remos (GX) *** <> Piper (PiperSport) *** <> Arion (Lightning LS-1) *** <> Rainbow Aviation / 3Xtrim (Navigator) *** <> Breezer Aircraft (Breezer II) *** <> Pipistrel (Virus) *** <> Hansen Air Group / FK Lightplanes (FK-9 ELA) *** <> Tecnam (P-92 Echo Super) *** <> Evektor (Sportstar) *** <> Jabiru, with two models (J-230 and J-170) *** <> X-Air (LS) *** <> Progressive Aerodyne (SeaRey) *** <> IndUS Aviation’s Thorpedo *** <> Renegade Aircraft (Falcon) *** LAMA also signals a surprise announcement from IndUS at the show. *** Aviators Hot Line, the sponsor of the LSA Mall, has a new “Aviators Helping Aviators” promotion to help LAMA members.
Mike Z Sport Aviation
Mike Z Sport Aviation
If you live in Central Florida and pursue
recreational aviation, odds are you know
or have heard of Mike Z. His last name
is Zidziunas and now you know why everyone
calls him “Mike Z.”
Mike is well known in the hang gliding community
and among ultralight enthusiasts. He
has wide experience, including sail repairs
(the same kind of work sometimes needed by
hang glider pilots), being an A&P mechanic
and LSA Repairman with plenty of knowledge
of aircraft repairs. More than being qualified
himself, Mike’s Plant City, Florida, airport
operation has been the host quarters for
one of Rainbow Aviation’s LSA Repairman
courses.
Many of the people who have come to know
Mike took flight lessons from him or had
maintenance done by him. Some LSA enthusiasts
know he assembles airplanes for
Sportsplanes.com, specifically models like the
Breezer II, the Skylark, the C-42, and others.
Mike has also worked closely with another
Central Florida legend, Jay Kurtz, a DAR who
attracted attention last year by gaining ELSA
approval for a Van’s RV-9 done as lightly as
possible so that it could qualify as a light
sport aircraft.
“Spring Break for Pilots” About to Open Big
I’m taking a short setup break here in the LSA Mall at Sun ‘n Fun to post this SPLOG. It’s the evening before the big show opens and this is a happening place. Vendors everywhere are scurrying to turn pandemonium into a highly organized show by morning. It’s windy but beautiful with temperatures in the low 80s and low humidity. C’mon down! *** The LSA Mall is a new location and by most reports, the location is even better than last year’s dynamite spot, with walkway or road access to two long rows of Light-Sport Aircraft. We’ve got $35,000 and $40,000 SLSA (M-Squared and CGS Hawk LSA) plus top brands like Piper (top photo, and see legend for more brands present), Flight Design, Remos, and leaders like Jabiru offering special bargains. We might squeeze one more airplane but I consider the LSA Mall full to capacity and ready to please.
Florida LSA Schools Coming On Line
Cessna’s in the hunt for flight schools, like everybody else. Word comes via a city blog that Orlando Flight Training is ramping up a Sport Pilot training program that will use four Cessna Skycatchers at its Kissimmee Gateway Airport facility. *** The piece claims OFT is the first to offer the C-162 in Florida, and plans to have them operational this summer. *** While we’re at it, let’s highlight a few more Sport Pilot ops in the Sunshine State: *** ^ Another Sport Pilot training program at Apopka is Grizzly Aviation Services. It also uses a Gobosh 700S, which rents out at $97/hr. *** ^ Yet another Orlando-area operation is Orlando-Gateway Sport Pilot Training LLC, which gets things done out of Kissimmee Airport with a Remos GX and a SportCruiser. *** ^ Mike Z.
Come Visit the LSA Mall at Sun ‘n Fun 2010
After becoming a hit feature of AirVenture in 2006, LSA Malls have become a fixture at major U.S. airshows. Visitors to EAA’s big summer celebration of flight are now joined by crowds attending AOPA’s Summit as well as the season-opening Sun ‘n Fun “Spring Break for Pilots.” Folks attending these top-drawing aviation trade shows have shown great enthusiasm for the LSA Mall concept — derived from also-popular auto malls in major metro areas. *** They are appreciated because the LSA Malls gather a large group of the best-selling Light-Sport Aircraft for visitors to consider side-by-side. After perusing many of the top brands, visitors can then trek to a company’s primary display for additional detail. *** In addition to positioning as many as 20 LSA in close proximity, the LAMA tent houses other companies that can dispense information on financing, flight training, engines, instrument panel gear, other LSA events, and publications.
Sun ‘n Fun LSA Mall 2009 Ready for Visitors
REPORTING FROM SUN ‘N FUN — For the last three years, Sun ‘n Fun management has generously provided an excellent location at this season-launching airshow. Coordinated by LAMA, the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association, the industry has responded warmly, each year populating the LSA Mall with some of the best selling aircraft in the sector. The LSA Mall has become a place where manufacturers want to show their newest products. (By example, the 2009 Mall has the very first Lightning SLSA and the soon-to-be SLSA & ELSA SeaRey amphibian.) *** So, once again, just inside the main entrance gate, visitors will immediately be greeted by a rainbow of Special Light-Sport Aircraft. LSA Malls have proven extremely popular with visitors because this industry showcase of models saves a lot of walking the grounds to compare one aircraft with another. Those still unfamiliar with the newest aviation segment can see a whole fleet of airplanes in close proximity; company reps are on hand to offer details and prices.
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