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News & Video on Light-Sport Aircraft, Sport Pilot Kits, and Ultralight Aircraft

New Flight Design Offerings — Summer 2010

By Dan Johnson || Leave a Comment

The Flight Design team speaks to journalists at AirVenture as they describe new offerings from the LSA market leader.

Given their market leading position, adding an amphibious floatplanes helps the company serve new markets.

The lower photo shows the manual retract handle for the float rudder. The upper photo shows the retract switch with land/water alert system: switch up will show two blue lights (for water); or switch down, showing three green lights (for wheels down before hard surface landing).

Flight Design engineering chief Oliver Reinhardt checks out the new near-full-motion flight simulator in the company’s Oshkosh display.

Flight Design has maintained their substantial lead in market share partly through a strategy of steady innovation. The German company and its U.S. partners regularly develop new products and introduce them with pizzazz. The company’s press conference and exhibit space at Oshkosh 2010 revealed this methodology. *** AirVenture visitors got to examine the CTLS Lite on amphibious floats. CTLS Lite — unveiled at a significantly-reduced price and dramatically-reduced empty weight — was introduced only three months earlier at Sun ‘n Fun. By Oshkosh 2010, that new model sat atop amphib floats that have already recorded a number of flights from water and land. *** The floats are from Clamar and were developed in concert with Flight Design distributor Airtime Aviation of Tulsa, Oklahoma, arguably the nation’s largest dealer of LSA. “The Clamar floats match the structure and the feel of the Flight Design planes,” said Tom Peghiny, president of importer Flight Design USA. Airtime Aviation indicated the system is presently available only for the CTLS model but work has started to add floats to the CTsw model from Flight Design; hundreds are flying worldwide. *** The Clamar float system is constructed from carbon fiber, kevlar and S-glass, which the developer says “make the floats substantially lighter in overall weight than aluminum or composite floats of same displacement.” Gear movements are produced by an all-electric 12-volt system. A visual notification system for gear position (photo) is standard and audio gear warning is available at extra cost. *** Another interesting offering involved a near-full-motion simulator for training. But this one costs only a few thousand making it much more affordable to flight schools. Developed by a Canadian company, Dreamflyer™ uses a deceptively simple yet clever mechanism to capture the motion based on simple gravitational movements of the chair initiated by the user in response to the views on the screen. By using gravitational force to generate motions, Dreamflyer™ eliminates the need for and costly maintenance of hydraulics and motors. *** Staying ahead of the competition by sheer inventiveness, Flight Design remains a company to watch.

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Flight Design has maintained their substantial lead in market share partly through a strategy of steady innovation. The German company and its U.S. partners regularly develop new products and introduce them with pizzazz. The company’s press conference and exhibit space at Oshkosh 2010 revealed this methodology. *** AirVenture visitors got to examine the CTLS Lite on amphibious floats. CTLS Lite — unveiled at a significantly-reduced price and dramatically-reduced empty weight — was introduced only three months earlier at Sun ‘n Fun. By Oshkosh 2010, that new model sat atop amphib floats that have already recorded a number of flights from water and land. *** The floats are from Clamar and were developed in concert with Flight Design distributor Airtime Aviation of Tulsa, Oklahoma, arguably the nation’s largest dealer of LSA. “The Clamar floats match the structure and the feel of the Flight Design planes,” said Tom Peghiny, president of importer Flight Design USA.

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‘Net Surfin’ for LSA News

By James Lawrence || Leave a Comment

photo courtesy Skyraider Aviation

photo courtesy Skyraider Aviation

photos courtesy AeroVironment

photo courtesy Quad City Challenger

Knocking around the ‘Net looking for signs that Light Sport is alive and well… *** Michael Combs is nearing the end of his 19,000 mile odyssey — what a vision. Latest word from PR dude Dave Gustafson is that the Flight for the Human Spirit in a Remos GX has made it to my old west coast stompin’ grounds. Five jewels of the left coast — San Diego, Burbank, San Luis Obispo, Monterey and San Jose — were on the itinerary for one magical flight day over one of the most beautiful stretches of coastal landscape in the world. God speed Michael, 18,000 miles and 45 states and you’re nearly done. • Imagine the human experience he’s having, flying all summer, meeting all the great people he’s met. I’m jealous, I admit it. • BTW, pilots are encouraged to fly along for any portion of Michael’s Flight. *** Slow recovery? Double-dip recession? Not as far as Skyraider Aviation is concerned. This hustling sport pilot flying club and training center is plenty active at Denver’s busy Centennial Airport as well as at it’s Erie Municipal location nearby. A new PiperSport just joined the training and rental fleet — that’s bound to perk anybody up — to share duties with two Gobosh 700s, an Evektor SportStar and a Remos G-3. • The outfit has operated for four years and claims to be the first in Colorado to offer specific Sport Pilot training. *** Loosely-Connected-to-Light-Sport-Dept. — Another of those weird and wonderful experimental alternative-powered aircraft just made its maiden flight. *** AeroVironment, the braintrust company begun by the late Dr. Paul MacCready, who gave us Gossamer Albatross, the first successful human-powered aircraft, back in the ’70s, has begun flight test on Global Observer,an unmanned hybrid-electric surveillance prototype that will eventually be powered by a liquid hydrogen fuel system. • It launched from California’s famed Edwards Air Force Base and flew for an hour at 4,000, controlled from a ground LRE (Launch and Recovery Element, officialese for a flight sim-like control booth) with a retired Air Force light colonel at the controls. Can you say “X-Box?” • Here’s an interesting image phrase the company uses: “The future is unmanned.” Indeed, it’s pioneering all kinds of hand-launched small electric-powered surveillance aircraft for the military. • Global Observer will ultimately fly between 55,000 and 65,000 feet for up to a week at a time for disaster relief, reconnaissance and surveillance. Expect some sophisticated tech fallout that will in time trickle down to general aviation from projects like this. *** Not to be outdone by the West, a local news organ in the Greenville, South Carolina area reports that Spartanburg’s downtown aircraft have discovered Light Sport aircraft and anticipate it will “fuel growth” at the airport. The report compares the initial purchase price and operating costs between LSA and GA aircraft. • Although it was a bit wide-eyed in its example of an LSA that will fly at 120 knots for 9 hours straight, the story clearly gets the advantage the public is beginning to perceive from our piece of the personal flight pie, and that’s a good thing. *** Finishing up back on the west coast comes a news story, this time from Yakima, WA, that profiles a retired LSA pilot who flies his Challenger II from nearby Prosser Airport. The article accurately chronicles the inception of the Sport Pilot rule and claims Light Sport training is the biggest student draw at the airport — a “miniature boom in activity” — an increase of 50% in operations since 2007. *** In this economy, it’s good to see the word is getting out and people remember that instead of moping around, there are still plenty of affordable ways to get out and enjoy life — like flying an LSA!

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Knocking around the ‘Net looking for signs that Light Sport is alive and well… *** Michael Combs is nearing the end of his 19,000 mile odyssey — what a vision. Latest word from PR dude Dave Gustafson is that the Flight for the Human Spirit in a Remos GX has made it to my old west coast stompin’ grounds. Five jewels of the left coast — San Diego, Burbank, San Luis Obispo, Monterey and San Jose — were on the itinerary for one magical flight day over one of the most beautiful stretches of coastal landscape in the world. God speed Michael, 18,000 miles and 45 states and you’re nearly done. • Imagine the human experience he’s having, flying all summer, meeting all the great people he’s met. I’m jealous, I admit it. • BTW, pilots are encouraged to fly along for any portion of Michael’s Flight.

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LSA Sales Continue Slowly; Change Among Leaders

By Dan Johnson || Leave a Comment

In the chart above, the Top 20 companies represent going businesses. Companies with enough registered aircraft to qualify for the Top 20 but which are insolvent or inactive were removed to present a truer picture of the current fleet of active companies.

While most of the LSA industry — as with most of aviation — endures unprecedented slow sales, at least two companies are showing reasonably good 2010 performances. *** Washington-based CubCrafters is the clear market leader for the first seven months of 2010, with 27 new registrations. We repeat, as always, that FAA registrations do not equal sales; individual company statistics may be different. Following CubCrafters is CSA’s PiperSport with 18 new registrations and Flight Design with an even dozen. *** All the Big Six companies remain the same — in their rank for the entire LSA fleet — though some shifting occurred: Flight Design; American Legend; CubCrafters (moving from 4th to 3rd ranked); Tecnam (3rd to 4th); Czech Sport Aircraft (builder of the PiperSport, 6th to 5th); and Remos (5th to 6th). These Big Six all have more than 100 registered airplanes in FAA’s database, though they are trailed by only a few airplanes by Jabiru USA and Evektor. AMD and TL Ultralight (up to 9th from 10th) are in a third tier of the top ten. *** Two companies advanced into the Top 20 rank positions for the first time: Paradise; and airplane manufacturing giant, Cessna. Other brands to watch include Arion, and FK Lightplanes. *** Of the three companies with the most action this year, CubCrafters has moved forward smartly. Flight Design is always a contender. But the main one to watch closely may be Piper. According to LSA project manager Russ Greenberg, the company is “on track to meet our January forecast of 75 airplanes sold in 2010.” Though their FAA registrations show 18 for the year, Piper reported 40 sales consummated by AirVenture 2010. If the company hits their target and if all were registered in 2010 (unlikely), PiperSport-producer CSA could dislodge American Legend in the number two spot. However, forecasting the future is hazardous at best; for true information we’ll have to wait for the final answer just before January’s Sebring LSA Expo.

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While most of the LSA industry — as with most of aviation — endures unprecedented slow sales, at least two companies are showing reasonably good 2010 performances. *** Washington-based CubCrafters is the clear market leader for the first seven months of 2010, with 27 new registrations. We repeat, as always, that FAA registrations do not equal sales; individual company statistics may be different. Following CubCrafters is CSA’s PiperSport with 18 new registrations and Flight Design with an even dozen. *** All the Big Six companies remain the same — in their rank for the entire LSA fleet — though some shifting occurred: Flight Design; American Legend; CubCrafters (moving from 4th to 3rd ranked); Tecnam (3rd to 4th); Czech Sport Aircraft (builder of the PiperSport, 6th to 5th); and Remos (5th to 6th). These Big Six all have more than 100 registered airplanes in FAA’s database, though they are trailed by only a few airplanes by Jabiru USA and Evektor.

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Icon A5 Update

By James Lawrence || Leave a Comment

In mid-water taxi toward its anticipated production date sometime next year, Icon Aircraft was at Oshkosh again with an impressive display booth/tent/hangar, and every time I walked by, whether early morning or late at night, there were always people ogling that beautiful airplane. *** The company has made two major design changes over the last few months which are interesting and worthy of attention. (1) The wing flaps are gone, ostensibly to “simplify” pilot operations. Company spokesfolk say they weren’t getting sufficient benefit from the flaps to justify their weight and complexity. (2) A desire to work in more spin resistance has led to airframe tweaks, including wing cuffs to lower the stall speed of the composite carbon fiber SLSA. *** I and others had wondered, after our first looks at that streamlined profile when the A5 debuted a couple years back, how Icon was ever going to get stall speed below the 45-knot minimum, even with flaps. *** Icon already has an AOA (Angle of Attack indicator) on board so pilots will be able to monitor actual wing performance in reference to incipient stall, but the more docility the better in the Light Sport category, eh what? *** Meanwhile, Icon says Liberty Aerospace of Florida, which makes the composite Liberty XL2 monoplane, and Flytech Kft. of Hungary will be the prime structural composite makers for the A5. *** Stated reason for the “outsourcing” is to hasten the arrival of delivery day for the hundreds of buyers who’ve already plunked down deposits. *** As many other U.S. LSA companies already do with foreign-produced components, Icon will assemble the entire airplane, install systems and perform all flight testing and finishing, at its Southern California plant. *** The online techzine Gizmag just posted an interesting quote from Icon: the company claims fully one-third of its customers are not yet pilots!  That tells me how well Icon has penetrated the non-pilot market in its attempt to link the A5 with broadly popular recreational water sports such as jetskiing and power boating. *** Current price quote to order a standard A5 is $139,000, for delivery in 2012.

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In mid-water taxi toward its anticipated production date sometime next year, Icon Aircraft was at Oshkosh again with an impressive display booth/tent/hangar, and every time I walked by, whether early morning or late at night, there were always people ogling that beautiful airplane. *** The company has made two major design changes over the last few months which are interesting and worthy of attention. (1) The wing flaps are gone, ostensibly to “simplify” pilot operations. Company spokesfolk say they weren’t getting sufficient benefit from the flaps to justify their weight and complexity. (2) A desire to work in more spin resistance has led to airframe tweaks, including wing cuffs to lower the stall speed of the composite carbon fiber SLSA. *** I and others had wondered, after our first looks at that streamlined profile when the A5 debuted a couple years back, how Icon was ever going to get stall speed below the 45-knot minimum, even with flaps.

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Sport Pilots: Fly to the Bahamas in Your LSA!

By Dan Johnson || 4 Comments

A Progressive Aerodyne SeaRey makes a good LSA candidate to fly to the Islands of the Bahamas.

Bahamas and EAA officials (L-R): Greg Rolle, Dave Oord, Charles Albury, Kendric Sands, Randy Hansen, Lenord Stuart, Tony Anthony. Photo courtesy EAA

It’s a first… the acceptance of Sport Pilots into another country. I don’t refer to acceptance of Light-Sport Aircraft in other nations; that’s already happening in a dozen countries with 30 more studying the method of certification. When the Islands of the Bahamas said it would accept Sport Pilot certificate holders to pilot their LSA to the Bahamas, that was a first in another country recognizing the pilot side of FAA’s 2004 regulatory innovation. *** Thanks go to EAA for stimulating discussion and for staffers Randy Hansen and David Oord, both of whom work in EAA’s government relations office. *** At the 2010 Oshkosh event Deputy Permanent Secretary for the Bahamas’ Ministry of Tourism and Aviation, Charles Albury, told EAA AirVenture Today writer Jeb Burnside, “We felt this was another area to expand because of the growth of sport pilots in the United States.” Government and Advocacy Specialist Oord said, “We look forward to similar recognition of the sport pilot certificate by our international neighbors.” In celebration of the latest changes to Bahamian rules, EAA, the Ministry and Florida-based EAA chapters are organizing a sport-pilot fly-out to the Bahamas, planned for the near future. *** To qualify for the new privilege Sport Pilot certificate holders must meet similar rules as in the USA. A Sport Pilot operating in the Bahamas must hold a current and valid U.S. driver’s license or better and have logbook endorsements certifying proficiency in Class B, C and D airspace. The pilot must have all required aircraft documents on board and must meet all FAA regulations. Sport Pilots in the Bahamas follow the same privileges and limitations as in the USA.

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It’s a first… the acceptance of Sport Pilots into another country. I don’t refer to acceptance of Light-Sport Aircraft in other nations; that’s already happening in a dozen countries with 30 more studying the method of certification. When the Islands of the Bahamas said it would accept Sport Pilot certificate holders to pilot their LSA to the Bahamas, that was a first in another country recognizing the pilot side of FAA’s 2004 regulatory innovation. *** Thanks go to EAA for stimulating discussion and for staffers Randy Hansen and David Oord, both of whom work in EAA’s government relations office. *** At the 2010 Oshkosh event Deputy Permanent Secretary for the Bahamas’ Ministry of Tourism and Aviation, Charles Albury, told EAA AirVenture Today writer Jeb Burnside, “We felt this was another area to expand because of the growth of sport pilots in the United States.” Government and Advocacy Specialist Oord said, “We look forward to similar recognition of the sport pilot certificate by our international neighbors.” In celebration of the latest changes to Bahamian rules, EAA, the Ministry and Florida-based EAA chapters are organizing a sport-pilot fly-out to the Bahamas, planned for the near future.

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Oshkosh Day 5

By James Lawrence || Leave a Comment

The Sleeping Giant Wakes… Big news from China: IndUS Aviation threw a big lunch bash today at Oshkosh to break word of its exciting new program to shift production of all its Thorpedo LSA to China, as part of a unique collaboration with the country’s government and private industry to begin to grow Chinese General Aviation. *** The program will launch this fall at the new LuYangHU General Aviation Development Zone in Weinan, China. There is currently no GA permitted in the country. This will be the first — carefully studied and controlled, to be sure — attempt to bring private aviation to Chinese citizens: a fascinating period in history, and one that, with this partnership, aims to open the country wide to sales of light sport aircraft from all over the world. *** Indus will build LSA for its domestic market as well as worldwide — including Chinese citizens. *** Boeing, Diamond, Cessna and Airbus have also established manufacturing sites at Weinan, but Indus is the first LSA company to be invited to build a “primary entry level aircraft in large numbers to meet the expected demand for such aircraft in India and China,” said Dr. Ram Pattisapu, IndUS CEO. *** The “prototype” airspace will be 124 square kilometers (50 sq. mi.) in size, with a legal ceiling up to 3,000 meters, and will be the only place for now where private Chinese aviators will be allowed to fly. Congratulations to all involved. *** Had a good talk with Tecnam’s Ray Swanson, VP of Distribution and Avionics, about the company’s new iPad (or computer)-based Sport Pilot Course which was introduced here and will be offered to TFC (Tecnam Flight Center) members across the country. *** Through TFC, flight schools can gain access to software flight training programs, such as the Tecnam Sport Pilot Course Dan demoed for me and P&P Publisher Mike McMann. I’ll be going through it in a few weeks as I refresh for my biennial flight review in Nov. *** The programs were developed in collab with MS Aviation and Hilton Software, LLC to maximize student pilot training. *** Students can carry the iPad with them everywhere, drop it into the center panel slot on their Tecnam trainer for geo-referencing sectionals, airport info and much more. Tecnam North America Prez Tommy Grimes, above, presents an iPad loaded with the Sport Pilot course to the first student to go through the program. *** Course materials are constantly refined and uploaded wirelessly to students…very cool, I’ll have more on it down the road. *** Today I spent the day dreaming of electric sheep… or airplanes, listening to an all-day symposium with the likes of legendary aeronautical designer Burt Rutan, FAA’s head Randy Babbitt, Bertrand Piccard who spearheads the Solar Impulse project, Erik Lindbergh, visionary grandson of Lucky Lindy himself, Craig Willan, emcee, research engineer and I gather the person who brought these luminaries and several others under one roof for the EAA Electric Aircraft World Symposium 2010. *** It was fascinating, and I’ll have more to say about it when I put the article on electric flight together for Plane & Pilot but here’s a few highlights: *** Rutan: “I want to watch the young designers, I want to inspire you to do the new stuff even if it doesn’t work right the first time. I want to see an electric manned aerobatic airplane here at Oshkosh.” *** Chris van Buiten (Sikorsky’s Firefly electric helicopter): “Electric airplanes are hard; electric choppers are very hard.” *** Piccard: “The bottleneck in manned electric flight isn’t energy capture, but energy storage. The Solar Impulse project (which flew all night recently on battery-stored solar power) is not only an airplane project but an energy project. We proved we can fly all day and all night and have energy left over.” *** Eric Lindbergh presented the 2010 LEAP awards — and $25,000 in cash prizes (which recipients donated right back to LEAP!) — to: Yuneec for its e430 (Best practical electric aircraft) Sonex (Best electrical aircraft subsystems) and the Antares 20E electric motorglider (first certified production electric aircraft.) *** I watched the Antares fly yesterday (see photos). Two words: most impressive. *** General Electric, Tesla Motors and Ford Motor Company all had excellent presentations on electric-powered cars and discussed applications and implications for electric flight. *** As I’ve said before (and Erik Lindbergh among others echoed today), these are the Wright Brothers days of electric flight. So what if flight times are “only 1 or 2 hours” so far? Remember how long the Wright’s first flight was? *** Of course, many technical challenges are ahead…but the first flights are happening, history is being made, and interest is surging, as this well-attended seminar in the vast EAA Museum Eagles Hangar proved today.

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The Sleeping Giant Wakes… Big news from China: IndUS Aviation threw a big lunch bash today at Oshkosh to break word of its exciting new program to shift production of all its Thorpedo LSA to China, as part of a unique collaboration with the country’s government and private industry to begin to grow Chinese General Aviation. *** The program will launch this fall at the new LuYangHU General Aviation Development Zone in Weinan, China. There is currently no GA permitted in the country. This will be the first — carefully studied and controlled, to be sure — attempt to bring private aviation to Chinese citizens: a fascinating period in history, and one that, with this partnership, aims to open the country wide to sales of light sport aircraft from all over the world. *** Indus will build LSA for its domestic market as well as worldwide — including Chinese citizens.

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Oshkosh Day 2

By James Lawrence || Leave a Comment

Recovering from the mud soup floods that crippled arrivals a few days ago (so many airplanes typically park on the grass), things began to dry out enough yesterday to bring robust opening day attendance, helped in large part by the beautiful weather.  Humidity was manageable, temps were in the mid-80s. *** A great start for EAA (which reportedly draws 45% of its yearly revenue from Airventure), with lots to see and talk about. *** Highlights: *** Yuneec, (which seriously needs to update its website), is the Chinese electric aircraft company that blew open the hangar doors of everybody’s electric flight dreams last year with the debut of the beautiful E-430 all-electric S-LSA.  They’ve guarded some tasty secrets since, which came to light yesterday. *** I spent a half hour with Managing Director Clive Coote to get updated, here are some highlights (more details down the road, and in my electric flight article which will run in a P&P issue this fall). *** <> The E430 will likely begin deliveries end of 2011 or early 2012. *** <> Many improvements big and small to the graceful design, including removable wingtip to shorten the span by 7 feet for easier hangaring; *** <> Two – not one but two – new electric aircraft have been acquired and will be part of the rapidly-expanding Yuneec product line.  Both come from noted German designer Martin Wezel: the two-seat, t-tail Viva motorglider, German designed, that will also be S-LSA, with some phenomenal specs, including a folding propeller that streamlines to the nose cone, and a 38:1 glide ratio!  More on that soon. *** <> The second new airplane is called the Apis 2.  It’s a single-seater with a retractable propeller pylon behind the pilot.  Here’s a brief profile on Yuneec that ran last week in the NY Times. *** <> Meanwhile Yuneec displayed the eSpyder, an electric-powered single-seat ultralight based on the FlightStar marketed by Flight Design’s Tom Peghiny that wowed the airshow crowds last year.  The e-Spyder is refined: longer wingspan, lighter structure…and twice the battery capacity. Clive Coote said flight times anticipated to be around an hour – the original projection when it debuted last year – and final price should be $27,995.  Still in development, deliveries next year also. *** <> Terrafugia had itsTransition Roadable Aircraft (“flying car” for us non-marketing types) on display.  The new model, which ditched the disappointing canard, sports a twin-tail boom design instead.  Here’s a rendering, they don’t have the full-scale mockup out yet. *** Current specs: *** Max, Vh: *** Cruise, Vc: *** Stall, Vs: *** Range: *** Takeoff: 100 kts (115 mph) *** 93 kts (105 mph) *** 45 kts (51 mph) *** 425 nmi (490 mi) *** 1700′ (518 m) over 50′ obstacle *** *** <> The boys at Midwest Sport Aviation showed off their Cheetah XLS, a tasty tube/fabric S-LSA which I hope to fly after the show.  Nice paint job!  *** <> The gang at Legend Cub had a good first two quarters although things inexplicably slowed down in June.  Enthusiasm for the new Cub Classic (under $100,000 – typically outfitted Legend Cubs go for upwards of $125,000) is yet to kick into high gear but company head Darin Hart says they’re doing a lot of kit business.  Consensus is if pilots have the moolah to buy a Cub, they’ll buy one fully tricked out.  Those more financially challenged (like myself) will typically find a used Cub or a rental at a local airport. *** <> Piper Aircraft reportedly sold 40 aircraft since announcing the PiperSport last January at Sebring.  One person who visited the Czech production facility saw 10 on the assembly line and another 12 ready to start. *** <> Those and other sales won’t show up on the radar until they’re actually registered.  FAA registration numbers for all S-LSA according to Jan Fridrich’s latest tally were a fairly weak 68…but actual sales seem to be significantly higher. *** <> Meanwhile, other significant news is coming in a couple days from a longtime LSA producer and LAMA…stay tuned for news on Thursday.

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Recovering from the mud soup floods that crippled arrivals a few days ago (so many airplanes typically park on the grass), things began to dry out enough yesterday to bring robust opening day attendance, helped in large part by the beautiful weather.  Humidity was manageable, temps were in the mid-80s. *** A great start for EAA (which reportedly draws 45% of its yearly revenue from Airventure), with lots to see and talk about. *** Highlights: *** Yuneec, (which seriously needs to update its website), is the Chinese electric aircraft company that blew open the hangar doors of everybody’s electric flight dreams last year with the debut of the beautiful E-430 all-electric S-LSA.  They’ve guarded some tasty secrets since, which came to light yesterday. *** I spent a half hour with Managing Director Clive Coote to get updated, here are some highlights (more details down the road, and in my electric flight article which will run in a P&P issue this fall).

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Big Fall Show Looms

By James Lawrence || Leave a Comment

Oshkosh is over but wait! There’s more! *** One of the surprise hits last year was the Midwest LSA Expo lead by capable Chris Collins. Held at Mount Vernon Outland Airport (MVN) in Illinois, the new show attracted 42 airplanes and 30 exhibitors and what was reported far and wide as a focused and motivated LSA crowd. *** Many sales were closed in the months following the 2009 gathering. One main factor was the psychological continuity Midwest provided after Sebring (Jan.), Sun ‘n Fun (Apr.) and Oshkosh (July/Aug). By postponing the “end of summer” flying mindset into early Fall, normally an aviation wind-down time for pilots who live in the less temperate parts of the country, potential customers got one more opportunity to refine their buying decision process. *** The Midwest LSA Expo will run a week earlier this year: from Sept. 23-25. Mark your digital calendars! *** Attendance should be strong: there’s a huge population base in the midwestern market that stretches from Chicago to New Orleans, Denver to Charlotte. *** Chris Collins hopes to grow the event and does everything to make it as enjoyable an experience as possible, including shuttles to local restaurants and lodging from the airport. *** So far, more than 35 vendors are scheduled to show up and they’re bringing many of the most popular LSA. Quite a few of the biggest players and several others you’ve wanted to see up close are expected. *** I’ll be at the Midwest LSA Expo too, to get in some flying and flight reporting that proved to be impossible in the crush of Oshkosh. *** If you’re flying in, here are some particulars: • 6500’ x 150’ main runway • five precision approaches including ILS • 9.25 acres of concrete ramp space • Class “E” airspace • ARFF (Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting) Index A for those of you familiar with this safety index. • Aircraft exhibitor spaces will be right out on the main ramp to make lots of demo flights easy…that’s important when you’re out there kicking tires.

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Oshkosh is over but wait! There’s more! *** One of the surprise hits last year was the Midwest LSA Expo lead by capable Chris Collins. Held at Mount Vernon Outland Airport (MVN) in Illinois, the new show attracted 42 airplanes and 30 exhibitors and what was reported far and wide as a focused and motivated LSA crowd. *** Many sales were closed in the months following the 2009 gathering. One main factor was the psychological continuity Midwest provided after Sebring (Jan.), Sun ‘n Fun (Apr.) and Oshkosh (July/Aug). By postponing the “end of summer” flying mindset into early Fall, normally an aviation wind-down time for pilots who live in the less temperate parts of the country, potential customers got one more opportunity to refine their buying decision process. *** The Midwest LSA Expo will run a week earlier this year: from Sept. 23-25. Mark your digital calendars! *** Attendance should be strong: there’s a huge population base in the midwestern market that stretches from Chicago to New Orleans, Denver to Charlotte.

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Electric Part 103 Ultralights and Battery Science

By Dan Johnson || 2 Comments

Checking out an e103 at AirVenture 2010. On right is Powrachute boss and Voyager ElectraChute developer Galen Geigley. On the left is Powered Sport Flying magazine publisher and PSF Radio Show host, Roy Beisswenger.

Lean & Clean – The tiny little motor with a belt-drive reduction and 128-volt battery pack plus a four-blade prop should let the Voyager fly for an hour on quiet(er) electric power.

Publisher Roy models the Voyager ElectraChute at AirVenture 2010.

I am not alone in thinking Part 103 ultralight aircraft are the ideal platform for initial development of electric powered aircraft. Sure, someday you’ll be able to fly your 2-4 seater for 300-400 miles or more, recharge in the time it takes you to use the facilities, and be on your way again. But today, electric-powered Part 103s are available. *** You can buy the eSpyder for under $30,000 and fly for an hour or more. Accompanying photos show the Voyager ElectraChute from Powrachute, another possibility. Or, how about an electric trike? Longer-trip capability depends on better batteries. And thanks to a multibillion-dollar push from the auto industry, battery tech should develop rapidly. Ready for a short science lesson?*** According to an article in Nature Nanotechnology, researchers at MIT have developed a new method of adding carbon nanotubes to lithium-ion batteries that give the batteries the best characteristics of both capacitors and traditional lithium-ion batteries while simultaneously increasing their energy storage. *** Using layered carbon nanotubes as the positive electrode (the cathode) and a lithium titanium oxide as the negative electrode (the anode), batteries demonstrated an impressive ability to deliver power at the very fast rates of capacitors while being able to store more energy and last much longer than even the best lithium-ion batteries available today. *** Researchers dipped a base material repeatedly into a solution loaded with carbon nanotubes building up layers like a candle. Researchers referred to spraying techniques as a means to achieve mass production. *** All batteries are made up of three components: two electrodes (the negative anode and the positive cathode) separated by an electrolyte. When lithium ion batteries are producing energy, positively charged lithium ions move through the electrolyte and deposit at the cathode, which makes electricity. Alternatively when they are recharged, an external energy source such as your outlet causes these lithium ions to move the back across the electrolyte and embed in the anode.*** Because of the enormous surface area of the carbon nanotubes, the batteries can hold much more charge than traditional cathodes, enabling carbon nanotubes for the first time to serve as the positive electrode in lithium batteries, instead of just the negative electrode. *** At an energy content of about 200 Watt hours per kilogram, these experimental batteries rank way up with the very best lithium ion batteries, yet they also can provide very high short bursts of energy. As an added benefit, the carbon nanotubes seem to provide the batteries with an incredible durability. After 1,000 charge/discharge cycles, researchers saw no appreciable degradation in the battery’s function. *** In practical use, this could mean new batteries that can supply ample power, say, for climbing to altitude, and then hold a charge for much longer. Earlier studies have also pointed the way to extremely fast recharging. This is getting interesting!

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I am not alone in thinking Part 103 ultralight aircraft are the ideal platform for initial development of electric powered aircraft. Sure, someday you’ll be able to fly your 2-4 seater for 300-400 miles or more, recharge in the time it takes you to use the facilities, and be on your way again. But today, electric-powered Part 103s are available. *** You can buy the eSpyder for under $30,000 and fly for an hour or more. Accompanying photos show the Voyager ElectraChute from Powrachute, another possibility. Or, how about an electric trike? Longer-trip capability depends on better batteries. And thanks to a multibillion-dollar push from the auto industry, battery tech should develop rapidly. Ready for a short science lesson?*** According to an article in Nature Nanotechnology, researchers at MIT have developed a new method of adding carbon nanotubes to lithium-ion batteries that give the batteries the best characteristics of both capacitors and traditional lithium-ion batteries while simultaneously increasing their energy storage.

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How to Count Training by a Sport Pilot Instructor

By Dan Johnson || Leave a Comment

Web impresario, Paul Hamilton, hails from out west where he flies a variety of aircraft. Here Paul demonstrates steep turns.

Here’s some good bedtime reading. But it does have all the answers.

Thanks to our new blogger Paul Hamilton for this info. Visit his Be a Sport Pilot website.

A gentleman at Oshkosh asked me a question about Sport Pilot Instructors and I’m afraid I gave a misleading answer. Even though I inhabit the SP/LSA space all day long every day, it isn’t hard to get a detail incorrect. My expertise is on the LSA side and less so the SP side, so I called in my expert friend, Paul Hamilton. Paul agreed to blog on this subject area from time to time, and here’s his first installment. Welcome, Paul! *** So the question is: Can Sport Pilot training be used for Private Pilot training? The answer: Yes… and no. It depends on the type of flight instructor rating. *** First off, solo time is solo time. So, yes, all solo time for Sport Pilot certificate can be used towards the Private Pilot license. *** Dual training is where it gets tricky. To understand the differences in qualifying Sport and Private Pilot training you have to understand the differences in flight instructor types. A CFI (Subpart H) able to train Private Pilots can also train Sport Pilots and can teach in both LSA and non-LSA. A Flight Instructor with a Sport rating, CFIS (Subpart K), may only teach Sport Pilots and may only teach in Light-Sport Aircraft. *** So yes, if your flight instructor is qualified and current as a Private Pilot Flight Instructor (CFI), then all your dual training time counts towards the Sport and the Private Pilot tickets. *** When you start training — even if you complete your Sport Pilot certificate first — all your dual training with a Subpart H CFI counts towards the Private Pilot license. But no, if your flight instructor has a Flight Instructor with a Sport rating (CFIS from Subpart K), then your dual training does not count towards the dual training for the Private Pilot license *** The good news? Typically, to go from a Sport to a Private Pilot would take an additional 20 hours anyway for the extra night, instrument, VOR navigation, and towered airports dual training. [One thing no one can take away or fail to count is the knowledge you acquired flying a Light-Sport Aircraft, regardless of which instructor you had. —DJ]

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A gentleman at Oshkosh asked me a question about Sport Pilot Instructors and I’m afraid I gave a misleading answer. Even though I inhabit the SP/LSA space all day long every day, it isn’t hard to get a detail incorrect. My expertise is on the LSA side and less so the SP side, so I called in my expert friend, Paul Hamilton. Paul agreed to blog on this subject area from time to time, and here’s his first installment. Welcome, Paul! *** So the question is: Can Sport Pilot training be used for Private Pilot training? The answer: Yes… and no. It depends on the type of flight instructor rating. *** First off, solo time is solo time. So, yes, all solo time for Sport Pilot certificate can be used towards the Private Pilot license. *** Dual training is where it gets tricky. To understand the differences in qualifying Sport and Private Pilot training you have to understand the differences in flight instructor types.

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Best LSA Picks of 2010

By James Lawrence || Leave a Comment

Cubcrafters Carbon Cub SS

Matt Verdieck

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. are Piper Cub replicas; and reservations over reliability of ASTM airworthiness standards. And how in the world do you make a good buying decision when there are 107 different aircraft to evaluate?

Never fear: Help is here. Our survey of top sellers and up-and-comers awaits your scrutiny. Special thanks to Dan Johnson for supplying Jan Fridrich’s exhaustive market-data crunching of FAA registrations, posted regularly at LSA Market Info. Clear prop!

THE TOP TIER
Flight Design
Since 2004, the German company Flight Design has dominated the U.S. market. Its 312 sales represent a 17.4% market share. New this year are the all-composite CTLS Lite (50 pounds more payload than the CTLS; $20,000 lower cost) and the MC (all-metal, super roomy, recreational/flight-school appeal). The company’s excellent U.S.-based service and support network, quality construction and the CT’s reputation for top performance keep bringing sales; it’s second in registrations so far this year. Price (CTLS Lite): $119,800. Contact: www.flightdesignusa.com.

American Legend
This friendly, well-run Texas company remains in second place (154 sales, 8.6% of market share), thanks to market sensitivity, quality construction methods and the enduring appeal of its flagship, the Legend Cub. In addition to the Texas Star E-LSA kit version, there’s a new, budget-wise Classic J3 S-LSA powered by a Continental O-200 engine (price: $94,895); a Garmin G3X Glass Cockpit multifunction display option; and the AmphibCub float-equipped version. Contact: www.legend.aero.

Remos
The impeccably finished, all-composite, carbon fiber-winged Remos GX was 2009’s leading seller. Made in Germany, the flagship GX holds fifth place overall and remains a top contender in the market, due to its quality and the company’s deep funding base and consistently high-profile marketing strategy. More germane to pilots: This is one handsome, excellent performer, with top-tier handling and construction/finish, among the best examples available of S-LSA. Price (Aviator II model): $148,900. Contact: www.remos.com.

Tecnam
Nipping at Legend’s heels, this decades-old Italian-based aircraft enterprise produces several top-notch, all-metal light- sport designs for Europe and the U.S. Latest is the P2008, a gorgeous, hybrid metal/composite high-winger that represents Tecnam’s attempt to capture the luxury LSA market… and priced accordingly from $154,000 to $169,999. Its mainstay Sierra is accompanied by the Echo Classic, still moderately priced in the low-$100K range, the P-92 Eaglet trainer and the Bravo. Contact: www.tecnam.net.
CubCrafters
A surprise success story so far this year is the boffo sales of the beautifully made Carbon Cub SS and Sport Cub S2, which landed CubCrafters in fourth place overall… and leading the pack for 2010. The Carbon Cub’s CC340 engine, TBO’d at 2,400 hours, drives this story: It cranks out 180 hp — yes, it’s LSA legal — and is a major draw for traditional GA pilot types. The high deck angle at takeoff is a kick! Initial climb rate: 2,100 fpm. Price: $163,280. Contact: www.cubcrafters.com.

Evektor
One of a host of quality Czech Republic-made LSA, SportStar Max is the latest SportStar refinement. The company ranks eighth overall with 5.1% of total U.S. market share. A nimble handler and comfortable cruiser, the all-metal LSA (SL version available as an E-LSA 200-hour quick-build kit) climbs and cruises fast, is a joy to fly, and employs
quality riveted/bonded construction and corrosion proofing throughout. Also available in full-IFR version for instrument-rated pilots at $155,000. Contact: www.evektor-aircraft.com.

Sportair
The lively, sweet-handling, low-wing Sting S3 has a new version… the Sting S4, and a new sibling due for ASTM certification this year: the elegantly beautiful Sirius high-wing cruiser. Every Sting and Sirius comes with a Galaxy ballistic parachute system. The Sirius has performance to go with its good looks: 553 pounds of useful load, 1,100 fpm climb, 120-knot cruise and 34-gallon fuel tank for extended range. Price (Sirius with Dynon EFIS): $139,000. Contact: www.sting.aero.

Rans
This top American producer of ultralights and LSA (13th overall) continues to impress with quality low-cost offerings (the delightful-handling S-6 ELS at $63,000) and an all-metal charmer (low-wing S-19LS at $123,000). Rans also offers the S-6LS Coyote and S-7LS Courier fabric-covered flivvers and a top-selling line of recumbent bicycles, too, if you’re so inclined! Rans products are consistent wonders of construction ingenuity, classic aerodynamic integrity and plain fun flying. Contact: www.rans.com.

Piper
Arguably the biggest story of the year is Piper becoming the worldwide distributor of the Czech Sport Aircraft SportCruiser, a big winner abroad and in the U.S. (sixth in sales since ’04). Redubbed PiperSport, it debuted at Sebring in January. CEO Kevin J. Gould kept his January promise and delivered the first three airplanes at Sun ‘n Fun in April. The PiperSport already ranks fourth in sales for 2010. Sleek and sexy, it fits Piper’s GA line perfectly; you’ll see them everywhere in time. Price: $119,000. Contact: www.newpiper.com.

Jabiru
Jabiru USA has consistently placed in the top 10 since ’04 with its J-Series imports: the J-250, J-230 and J-170. Stable, solid, refined and efficient, there are many qualities to praise with these rugged composites, not the least of which is an unusually roomy baggage compartment and the highly respected Jabiru engines (two sizes: 2200cc and 3300cc). Well-priced for an import at $96,900 to $111,900 base prices. Kits available, too. Contact: www.usjabiru.com.

Cessna
Although 1,000 customers ordered the C-162 Skycatcher after it was announced in 2006, only one aircraft has been delivered. Testing and production setbacks are the culprits. Yet how can we leave out this major player from our top-tier list? The company is on track to catch up to the pack after receiving ASTM certification, and production airplanes should at last begin arriving at airfields as you read this. CEO Jack Pelton hopes for 300-400 deliveries per year. Price: $112,500. Contact: www.cessna.com.

UP-AND-COMERS
Some airplanes achieve wild popularity long before they even come to market, such as the Cessna Skycatcher, PiperSport and Icon A5 amphibian. Others of comparable quality, performance and visual appeal may take longer to work their way into the LSA vernacular.

Herewith we present our selection of LSA we feel worthy of your closer attention. Some have yet to be delivered. Some target niche flyers (amphibians, motorgliders). Many are solid performers from Europe, but less known here. And a few are brand new but already establishing reputations.

Arion
The Lightning is a flat-out stunning, new, all-composite design that’s turning heads and opening wallets. Tied for sixth place in registrations this year, it won Reserve Grand Champion at Sun ‘n Fun 2010. First flown as a kit in 2006, the LSA version is tested well beyond ASTM specs… including a 270 mph flutter test. The S-LSA version is just one year old, though 83 kits are out there. Quick specs: All-composite construction; 120 hp Jabiru 3300 engine; 44 knots clean stall; 1,200 fpm climb at full gross!; AN hardware, Matco wheels and brakes, other quality American components; 120-knot cruise; 42-inch cockpit; U.S. built. Price (base): $93,900. Contact: www.flylightning.net.

Paradise
A perfect example of an up-and-coming S-LSA: The Paradise P-1 is the S-LSA version of a popular Brazilian homebuilt that first flew in 1999. Adapted from a four-seater, there’s room for lots of baggage, not a typical LSA feature. Airframe is welded chrome-moly steel tubing with aluminum skin: a time-honored construction method that’s strong yet light. Solid-aluminum spring gear, docile and comfortable handling, all-leather interior, Amsafe seatbelt airbags, dual yokes, steerable nosewheel…definitely worth a look. Price: $108,830. Contact: www.paradiseaircraft.us.
Aeropro
A real up-and-comer (tied for eighth for 2009), the Czech-built Aerotrek comes in two versions: A220 taildragger and A240 tricycle gear. Built in the Czech Republic and assembled in America, 300 of the fabric/tube sportsters are flying worldwide. A cool feature: folding wings. One person, 10 minutes, and into the garage or onto the trailer it goes. Lightweight, comfortable, with good visibility and a real fun-flying feel, these airplanes are considerably evolved from their original Kitfox ancestor. Optional 100 hp Rotax… or standard-equipped 80 hp 912UL for $67,950. Contact: www.fly-aerotrek.com.
Skykits
Tied for seventh in 2010, Skykits is tapping into the — Lower prices please! — zeitgeist with three Italian-built, ASTM-certified performers priced from $74,000 to $85,000: Savanna VG (for vortex generators), Savannah Rampage VGW (for wide-body) and Rampage, a pretty, semi-monocoque all-metal bird with — get this — electric leading-edge slats and double-slatted Fowler flaps! The flaps and slats give a 34 mph stall speed…and takeoff in under 147 feet! The Savannahs have float rigs and come in kit form, too. Contact: www.skykits.com.

Bar D Aviation
The graceful Allegro (11th since 2004) began life as a Czech-produced bird. The third-ever ASTM-certified LSA, it’s now built exclusively in Oregon. Includes Kevlar-reinforced composite fuselage; aluminum wings, tail and empennage; T-tail; 17 gallons fuel; 80 hp or 100 hp Rotax engines. Performance: 120 knots max, 35-knot stall, 1,000 fpm climb, 12:1 glide. Contact: www.b-bar-daviation.com.

Indus
The Thorpedo and Sky Skooter all-metal low-wingers are both based on famed kit designer John Thorp’s celebrated designs. The all-American company holds 14th position in registrations since 2004. Sky Skooter was FAA type-certificated in 1944! Corrugated aluminum wings increase strength while dropping weight: useful load (645 pounds) is greater than the 625 pounds empty weight! Thorpedo has a big six-cylinder, 120 hp Jabiru 3300 engine for short takeoffs, 1,020 fpm climbs and a respectable top level speed of 115 knots. Price (Thorpedo): $85,995. Contact: www.indusav.com.

Gobosh
A perfect example of an unsung company that offers two lovely, capable, lively S-LSA and deserves more awareness. The rakish composite 800XP and the super-handling all-metal 700S and 700X models are low-wing designs that are delightful to fly. They’re built to certificated aircraft standards in the Czech Republic and Poland, respectively. Gobosh jumped out early on and remains in 15th place overall. Evidence of its quality is the Best Commercial LSA award for the 700S at Sun ‘n Fun 2010. Both models come with several sophisticated EFIS instrumentation packages. Price: $124,500 (700S). Contact: www.gobosh.aero.
FPNA
Another company well known in the southeast is worthy of broader national attention for its fleet (an even dozen LSA, GA and ultralight models!) of fun flyers that take to land, sea…or both. Valor A-22 and its Cape Town float version are the S-LSA aircraft. They sport roomy (52-inch cabin), all-metal, fabric-covered fun flyers that cruise at 90 knots and start at $79,999. The company is tied for eighth in registrations for 2010, and operates several flight schools in Florida. Contact: www.fpna.com.

Phoenix Air
Last year, the spectacular S-LSA Lambada motorglider fell on hard times and is, at least temporarily, out of production. Right on its heels comes the Phoenix, with tantalizingly few details other than this from Jim Lee, champion soaring pilot and its U.S. importer: “The Phoenix will take the U.S. by storm!” Jim’s not given to hyperbole, so consider that a noteworthy rave. Produced in the Czech Republic, the Phoenix is an all-carbon-fiber composite, two-seat, 15 meter-span aircraft to be certified S-LSA. Sleeker and cleaner than its predecessor, it’s spec’d at 35:1 glide ratio, 32-knot stall, 115-knot cruise speed and under 140 fpm sink rate. Wow! Power is a Rotax 912ULS rated at 100 hp. Contact: www.phoenixairusa.com.

Breezer
Less known but solid is the German-made Breezer II, an all-metal, well-built low-winger with attractive lines reminiscent of the best of Wichita Tin. Marketed by Mike Z Aviation in Plant City, Fla., Breezer has been highly popular in Europe for years. Often it’s the little things that sell you on an airplane, such as powerful Beringer brakes, quality classic metal construction, dual sticks and throttle levers, solid landing gear, comfortable seats, excellent performance and stable, solid handling. Price: $119,900. Contact: www.breezeraircraft.de.

X-Air
Of strong appeal for the budget-conscious is LSA’s low-price leader: the X-Air LS. It’s a cute, capable, ultralight-style airplane that goes for $59,995. ASTM certified and with a full-fuel payload of 484 pounds, you can boat around quite comfortably at 85 mph, max cruise at 113, reach out 300 miles and enjoy low repair and maintenance costs thanks to the stabilized Dacron sewn-envelope covering. The wings fold for storage when you’re done flying. Contact: www.x-airlsa.com.

FK Lightplanes
The FK9 Mk IV is another sleeper. A quality German design, well proven overseas, it comes in three flavors: tri-gear, taildragger and float-equipped. Of mostly composite construction, welded-steel-tube cage for crash protection and optimized for a BRS parachute system, it’s an overall attractive, solid-performing, float-capable S-LSA, with a cruise of 104 knots and a 1,500 fpm climb. Another interesting design from the same manufacturer: the Fk12 Comet, an S-LSA folding-wing biplane! Price: $95,500. Contact: www.fk-lightplanesusa.com.

Kitfox
Based on the hugely successful homebuilt kit (4,500 delivered to 42 countries), copied under various names in ready-to-fly and kit form… it was itself born as a rework of the Avid Flyer kitplane, the Kitfox is now an S-LSA with the classic attributes of the original and many enhancements: folding wings, STOL performance, well supported in the U.S. and priced affordably at $83,495. It’s no slouch performer either: 320-foot takeoff roll, 1,150 fpm climb, 105-knot cruise at 7,500 feet at max gross weight… a real backcountry bird. Contact: www.kitfoxaircraft.com.
MySky
And finally, here’s something truly unique that we expect will find a place in the hearts of fighter-jock wannabes everywhere. Slated for production later this year or in 2011, the all-composite MS-One prototype has a slim, shark-like look, thanks to its tandem cockpit. Doing wingovers, you feel like you’re in an air show plane. It’s nimble, solid and retains energy well. Visibility with the shoulder-width canopy adds to the fighter-plane feel. Cruise: 120 knots. Range: 636 nm. Under-300-foot takeoff roll. Bottom line: a real kick to fly! Price (Mentor Edition): $124,500. Contact: www.mysky.aero.

AMBHIBIANS R US
Purpose-built amphibious LSA occupy a niche segment of the overall market, but if water/land ops are your cup of airborne tea, give these four water babies a look. The most splashworthy award goes to Icon A5 ($139,000), with its gorgeous design, high-profile marketing (John Travolta wants one) and a sculpted, sleek design to match. It’s still in testing, not available for another year but hundreds have already been ordered. Another notable S-LSA is the sexy composite SeaMax ($137,000). For amphibians on a budget, two kits: Aventura XLR kit ($66,200) and SeaRey (around $50,000 base price). Contact: www.iconaircraft.com, www.airmax.com.br, www.seaplane.com, www.searey.com.

Published in Plane & Pilot

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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.

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New EAA Electric Flight Prize

By James Lawrence || Leave a Comment

EAA’s Tom Poberezny (L) with electric flight prize sponsors (L-R) Scott Wick, Wicks Aircraft Supply; John Torode, Dynon Avionics; Jim Irwin, Aircraft Spruce & Specialty; and Nate Calvin, AeroLEDs. Photo courtesy EAA

Yuneec’s e340 continued to capture the attention of AirVenture 2010 visitors.

In the wake of its week long focus on electric-powered flight at the just-concluded Oshkosh AirVenture 2010, EAA just announced a $60,000 prize to “speed development of electric flight technology.” *** As I posted earlier here, during the World Symposium on Electric Aircraft, Erik Lindbergh awarded his LEAP prize to three companies for their contributions to the burgeoning technology: Yuneec International’s E430, Alex Lange’s in-production Antares 20E motorglider, and John Monett’s E-flight Initiative. *** Prize money will go to the individual or corporation that demonstrates the most promising level of achievement in electric-powered flight at AirVenture 2011. “Most promising” will be more fully detailed once EAA completes its “assessment of the status of electric flight”, according to the official release. *** EAA President Tom Poberezny praised the four companies that will make equal contributions to the $60,000 prize money: AeroLEDs, Aircraft Spruce & Specialty, Dynon Avionics, and Wicks Aircraft Supply. *** “They, like EAA, recognize that much of the innovation in the aviation world has come out of homebuilders’ workshops and the creative environment that is part of AirVenture Oshkosh,” Poberezny said. *** The E-Flight Prize is one of a to-be-disclosed series of programs EAA will establish over the next decade to stimulate R&D in electric flight. *** Poberezny encouraged other leaders in the EAA community to augment the prize over the next year. *** Entry forms and competition criteria will be posted on EAA’s website or by writing EAA E-Flight Prize, P.O. Box 3086, Oshkosh, WI 54903-3806.

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In the wake of its week long focus on electric-powered flight at the just-concluded Oshkosh AirVenture 2010, EAA just announced a $60,000 prize to “speed development of electric flight technology.” *** As I posted earlier here, during the World Symposium on Electric Aircraft, Erik Lindbergh awarded his LEAP prize to three companies for their contributions to the burgeoning technology: Yuneec International’s E430, Alex Lange’s in-production Antares 20E motorglider, and John Monett’s E-flight Initiative. *** Prize money will go to the individual or corporation that demonstrates the most promising level of achievement in electric-powered flight at AirVenture 2011. “Most promising” will be more fully detailed once EAA completes its “assessment of the status of electric flight”, according to the official release. *** EAA President Tom Poberezny praised the four companies that will make equal contributions to the $60,000 prize money: AeroLEDs, Aircraft Spruce & Specialty, Dynon Avionics, and Wicks Aircraft Supply.

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Electric Power — Getting Closer to LSA Usage?

By Dan Johnson || Leave a Comment

Randall Fishman’s ElectraFlyer Trike pumped me up. As a trike enthusiast, my real interest is soaring. A lightweight trike with an electric motor offers real advantages (see my earlier SPLOG).

I want to climb high enough to find lift, shut off the power, and hop from thermal to thermal. To me, that’s pure flying! An electric motor starts up readily if you lose the lift. It doesn’t vibrate. It doesn’t have smelly fuel or oil. It’s quiet, other than a bit of prop noise. But was it powerful enough?

With his second project, Randall has again motivated me. The Moni he renamed ElectraFlyer C is a motor glider at heart. Again, an electric powerplant sounds perfect.

“You can fly for an hour and a half on less than $1.00 of power”…and that assumes you keep the power on. Randall and I will look each other up in Florida this winter and I’ll investigate for a further report.

Fishman’s project is not the only one. Sonex is also at work on ePower; another soaring enthusiast, Greg Cole, is electric powering his Sparrowhawk SL carbon motorglider; and the builder of the NASA-prize-winning Pipistrel is pursuing a two-seat electric-powered LSA.

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Randall Fishman’s ElectraFlyer Trike pumped me up. As a trike enthusiast, my real interest is soaring. A lightweight trike with an electric motor offers real advantages (see my earlier SPLOG). I want to climb high enough to find lift, shut off the power, and hop from thermal to thermal. To me, that’s pure flying! An electric motor starts up readily if you lose the lift. It doesn’t vibrate. It doesn’t have smelly fuel or oil. It’s quiet, other than a bit of prop noise. But was it powerful enough? With his second project, Randall has again motivated me. The Moni he renamed ElectraFlyer C is a motor glider at heart. Again, an electric powerplant sounds perfect. “You can fly for an hour and a half on less than $1.00 of power”…and that assumes you keep the power on. Randall and I will look each other up in Florida this winter and I’ll investigate for a further report.

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Oshkosh First Day

By James Lawrence || Leave a Comment

Oshkosh has been deluged with a record downpour the last few days, which complicated arrivals because of the soggified grass fields…where most of the planes park and campers do their camping thing. *** Many airplanes were turned away over the weekend but nothing deters the Airventure show, which must go on. *** Several things already buzz, then out to the field for me to discover more and get things rolling (I got here late last night from the wonderful DC-3 Fly-In 4 hours south of here – half of the flying DC-3s in America, 35 total, turned up to be admired by thousands of visitors – a wonderful show.) *** Back to Oshkosh and LSA-centric events: *** <> If two flying cars aren’t enough – the Terrafugia Transition and I-TEC Maverick I’ve reported on in the past- here’s another one: the Caravella.  It’s an intriguing work in progress and they’re exhibiting at the show. *** <> Oshkosh never fails to deliver sheer wonderment but here’s one for the books: a rocket-powered helicopter (terms you don’t expect to hear together!).  Read about it here, but the short tell is hydrogen peroxide powers rotor-tip jets to get things going.   Endurance claim is 1.5 hours!  Can you say LSA green helicopter in one breath?  This amazing project deserves a closer look. *** <> Sonex Aircraft, which is working on its own electric-powered project, introduced the Onex, a single-seat, homebuilt E-LSA.  I’ll have pix soon.  The bird has folding wings a la the F4U Corsair warbird (makes trailering legal) and will be powered by an AeroVee engine. *** Off to the show!

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Oshkosh has been deluged with a record downpour the last few days, which complicated arrivals because of the soggified grass fields…where most of the planes park and campers do their camping thing. *** Many airplanes were turned away over the weekend but nothing deters the Airventure show, which must go on. *** Several things already buzz, then out to the field for me to discover more and get things rolling (I got here late last night from the wonderful DC-3 Fly-In 4 hours south of here – half of the flying DC-3s in America, 35 total, turned up to be admired by thousands of visitors – a wonderful show.) *** Back to Oshkosh and LSA-centric events: *** <> If two flying cars aren’t enough – the Terrafugia Transition and I-TEC Maverick I’ve reported on in the past- here’s another one: the Caravella.  It’s an intriguing work in progress and they’re exhibiting at the show.

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Electricity In The Air!

By James Lawrence || Leave a Comment

All-electric airplane fans, this’ll stand your hair on end!  Next month’s 2010 EAA Airventure at Oshkosh, WI – easily the biggest air show in America every year – will feature activities focusing on the most exciting developments in electric flight all week long. *** Visitors to the show will find display booths, daily forums and demonstration flights out on the flight line.  Can you say…Zap!? *** And on July 30 there’s a major event: Airventure’s World Symposium on electric-powered flight.  The day-long discussion will cover all aspects on the future of electric aviation. *** Check out who’s on the panel of moderators of aviation industry leaders: * legendary Scaled Composites founder Burt Rutan * Electric Aircraft Corporation founder and electric flight pioneer Randall Fishman (currently working on ElectraFlyer-X two-seat S-LSA * Yuneec International founder Tian Yu (Yuneec made a sensation at Oshkosh ’09 with its two-place E430 electric LSA), * FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt * Sonex Aircraft founder John Monnett * Earthstar Aircraft founder Mark Beierle, whose eGull ultralight displayed at AirVenture ’09 * Erik Lindbergh, who launched an Electric Aircraft Prize through his Lindbergh Foundation at Sun ‘n Fun this year. *** There will also be forums every day at the Aviation Learning Center (like the Symposium, presented by GE Aviation Systems) on safety and airframes, motors, fuel cells, propulsion, advanced batteries and controls and regulations.  *** Expect to see all-electric concept mockups, displays and flying prototypes.  Yippee! *** To register for the free symposium or participate yourself in the forums or presentations, contact Kelly Meyer at EAA headquarters at kmeyer@eaa.org or 920-426-4800. *** AirVenture runs from July 26 to Aug. 1 this year at Wittman field. *** Be there or be reciprocating-spontaneous-combustion-powered square! ***     — photos courtesy ElectraFlyer and Sonex

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All-electric airplane fans, this’ll stand your hair on end!  Next month’s 2010 EAA Airventure at Oshkosh, WI – easily the biggest air show in America every year – will feature activities focusing on the most exciting developments in electric flight all week long. *** Visitors to the show will find display booths, daily forums and demonstration flights out on the flight line.  Can you say…Zap!? *** And on July 30 there’s a major event: Airventure’s World Symposium on electric-powered flight.  The day-long discussion will cover all aspects on the future of electric aviation. *** Check out who’s on the panel of moderators of aviation industry leaders: * legendary Scaled Composites founder Burt Rutan * Electric Aircraft Corporation founder and electric flight pioneer Randall Fishman (currently working on ElectraFlyer-X two-seat S-LSA * Yuneec International founder Tian Yu (Yuneec made a sensation at Oshkosh ’09 with its two-place E430 electric LSA), * FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt * Sonex Aircraft founder John Monnett * Earthstar Aircraft founder Mark Beierle, whose eGull ultralight displayed at AirVenture ’09 * Erik Lindbergh, who launched an Electric Aircraft Prize through his Lindbergh Foundation at Sun ‘n Fun this year.

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Sonex Electric Airplane & ElectraFlyer Trike

By Dan Johnson || Leave a Comment

Except for prop noise ePowered LSA are quiet, making for good neighbor relations. With avgas prices only going higher electrics look better and get dependable, no-hassle starting; just turn the power dial (lower photo). ElectraFlyer also offers a folding propeller for more efficiency.

Green Tech is hot in Silicon Valley. Electric power-augmented and flex-fuel cars are selling well. Why not alternative energy Light-Sport Aircraft? Two companies showed electric airplanes at AirVenture 2007. *** Sonex revealed their own green technologies including a full-electric Waiex with a 200-amp motor that is 90 percent efficient and operates on 270 volts of direct current. The motor was manufactured in-house by Sonex and uses 80 lithium polymer battery packs which the company believes will allow one hour flights. The electric Waiex is part of the Sonex eFlight initiative which also includes ethanol-based fuels in their AeroVee combustion engine. *** In the Part 103 ultralight category, Randall Fishman is already flying his 100% electric-powered ElectraFlyer trike. Electric motors as airplane powerplants carry several advantages, notes Randall: “No engine vibration or maintenance; no carbon buildup, no top or major overhauls, no carb adjustments, no handling smelly gasoline and oil.” The batteries alone on the ElectraFlyer trike cost $7,500 for a 1.5 hour duration but the entire trike, wing and all, is about $17,000.

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Green Tech is hot in Silicon Valley. Electric power-augmented and flex-fuel cars are selling well. Why not alternative energy Light-Sport Aircraft? Two companies showed electric airplanes at AirVenture 2007. *** Sonex revealed their own green technologies including a full-electric Waiex with a 200-amp motor that is 90 percent efficient and operates on 270 volts of direct current. The motor was manufactured in-house by Sonex and uses 80 lithium polymer battery packs which the company believes will allow one hour flights. The electric Waiex is part of the Sonex eFlight initiative which also includes ethanol-based fuels in their AeroVee combustion engine. *** In the Part 103 ultralight category, Randall Fishman is already flying his 100% electric-powered ElectraFlyer trike. Electric motors as airplane powerplants carry several advantages, notes Randall: “No engine vibration or maintenance; no carbon buildup, no top or major overhauls, no carb adjustments, no handling smelly gasoline and oil.” The batteries alone on the ElectraFlyer trike cost $7,500 for a 1.5 hour duration but the entire trike, wing and all, is about $17,000.

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The Lazarus Machine

By James Lawrence || Leave a Comment

Back finally from 12 days at Oshkosh and the DC-3 fly-in that preceded it, I’m cranking out images and stories gathered there but couldn’t wait to get this one to you. *** Below is a condensation of my column that will run in the November issue. It involves an airplane that caught everybody’s eye when it debuted a few years back, but languished from lack of development and promotion and seemed on its way to obscurity. *** It was called the Phantom then, when T&T Aviation brought it to America from its native Hungary. *** Cruising into the big Lycoming display at Oshkosh in search of the new 115 hp, IO-233-LSA, I was once again gobsmacked by the low-riding, beautiful Falcon LS — the name T&T certified it under back in 2008 — as number 82 on the current list of 109. *** In the interim, Renegade Light Sport and its principal go-to guy Chris “Doc” Bailey have just bought out T&T’s interest in the LSA. For various reasons T&T decided they couldn’t fully run with the project. *** Meanwhile, Doc has some big, big plans.  *** Here are the highlights: The supersexy Falcon LS resembles a Red Bull race plane for a good reason: its makers, Corvus Aircraft of Hungary, also build the Racer 540 that crack pilot Peter Bensenyei flies in Red Bull Air Races. 15,000 hour professional pilot Doc Bailey has already ordered the first 100 Lycoming IO-233 engines and plans to put them in Falcons…and sell the first 100 for $115,000! Why is that news? Every one of those Falcons will be delivered with Grand Rapids synthetic vision EFIS…with built in GPS…and built-in autopilot. That makes the price considerably more attractive.  Can you say “loss leader?” Doc plans to build the airplane entirely in Kansas City, making it an all-American product. The airplane is all-composite construction, with kevlar, carbon fiber and e-glass components. *** “We hope to give a boost to the market,” Doc says with infectious enthusiasm. If he can pull this off, it sure won’t hurt! He plans to have that first 100 Falcons out and flying “within two years — and every airplane will have the IO-233 — with fuel injection.” New owners will be given checkout transition training for free…as much as they need and want. *** Stay tuned…once they’ve flown off the hours, I hope to fly the airplane at the Midwest LSA Expo next month. *** Meanwhile, it’s great to see the Falcon LS back in the news…it is an exciting, gorgeous LSA with a conventional American powerplant that should push a lot of LSA buyers who’ve been waiting right off the fence and into LSA ownership…because that terrific price won’t hold forever.

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Back finally from 12 days at Oshkosh and the DC-3 fly-in that preceded it, I’m cranking out images and stories gathered there but couldn’t wait to get this one to you. *** Below is a condensation of my column that will run in the November issue. It involves an airplane that caught everybody’s eye when it debuted a few years back, but languished from lack of development and promotion and seemed on its way to obscurity. *** It was called the Phantom then, when T&T Aviation brought it to America from its native Hungary. *** Cruising into the big Lycoming display at Oshkosh in search of the new 115 hp, IO-233-LSA, I was once again gobsmacked by the low-riding, beautiful Falcon LS — the name T&T certified it under back in 2008 — as number 82 on the current list of 109. *** In the interim, Renegade Light Sport and its principal go-to guy Chris “Doc” Bailey have just bought out T&T’s interest in the LSA.

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FAA Administrator Congratulates LSA… Again!

By Dan Johnson || Leave a Comment

At AirVenture 2009, FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt visited the LSA Mall and met leading LSA producer Matthias Betsch of Flight Design GmbH (shaking hands). Flight Design importer Tom Peghiny (center) and other leaders also met the “new boss.” Photo courtesy EAA

I’m counting and that’s three times in a row that still-relatively-new FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt has maintained his positive view of Light-Sport Aircraft and the industry which produces them. When he was brand new — just a year ago in Oshkosh — Babbitt complimented the LSA safety record at AirVenture 2009. He repeated these congratulatory remarks in a public speech at Sun ‘n Fun 2010. Now he’s tripled down at AirVenture 2010. Here’s what other reporters heard him say… *** Aviation Week posted this (slightly edited) report by Fred George, “More than 300 EAA members stuffed the ‘Meet the Administrator’ forum at Oshkosh on Thursday July 29th, welcoming FAA administrator Randy Babbitt with unusually strong applause. He said he was ‘so impressed’ with the success of Light Sport Aircraft in the aviation industry, pointing out that… more than 3,500 pilots have earned licenses in LSAs in the past six years. According to Babbitt, the [LSA] safety record is ‘marvelous.’ He said that the government / industry partnership in developing the LSA standard was a prime reason.” *** Mary Grady, writing for our good friends at leading aviation web publisher AvWeb, observed (again, modestly edited), “FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt… took some time to express his satisfaction with the sport pilot / light sport aircraft experiment. Regarding LSAs, he said the safety record is ‘marvelous,’ and people in the industry ‘have done what they said they would do’.” *** I love that the top FAA man used the word “marvelous,” and this term is consistent with his earlier remarks. Despite the glowing remarks, FAA and the GA industry have their eye on LSA. Perhaps that’s because, as FAA has often repeated, if industry consensus standards work for LSA, the method could rise into GA aircraft. Logically, if the LSA “experiment” is deemed a failure, it would not be used for new Cessna and Piper four and six seaters. Hmmm? No wonder those big producers and the agency are watching so closely.

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I’m counting and that’s three times in a row that still-relatively-new FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt has maintained his positive view of Light-Sport Aircraft and the industry which produces them. When he was brand new — just a year ago in Oshkosh — Babbitt complimented the LSA safety record at AirVenture 2009. He repeated these congratulatory remarks in a public speech at Sun ‘n Fun 2010. Now he’s tripled down at AirVenture 2010. Here’s what other reporters heard him say… *** Aviation Week posted this (slightly edited) report by Fred George, “More than 300 EAA members stuffed the ‘Meet the Administrator’ forum at Oshkosh on Thursday July 29th, welcoming FAA administrator Randy Babbitt with unusually strong applause. He said he was ‘so impressed’ with the success of Light Sport Aircraft in the aviation industry, pointing out that… more than 3,500 pilots have earned licenses in LSAs in the past six years.

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Oshkosh Day 4

By James Lawrence || Leave a Comment

Catching up with Jon Hansen and James DeHart of Hansen Air Group in Georgia.  They rep the lovely line of FK Lightplanes German composite aircraft for all of North America (except Florida.) *** Jon had just delivered the first FK 9 ELA to a customer, who was there when I came by with four of his six children, all boys.  Three of them, at least so far, want to be pilots like their dad.  Nice looking family as you can see. *** The FK 9 ELA (which will be redubbed Sparrow to avoid confusion — some folks think “E” means Experimental) is a handsome, clean airplane that deserves to capture attention.  There are a whole line of these immaculate S-LSA, including the FA-04 that set a cross-country flight record for LSA last year and the gorgeous FK-14 Polaris that was originally going to be offered by Cirrus until that company ran into difficulties last year. *** Jon also told me that Lycoming has given word that it’s LSA-destined 233-LSA engine will begin deliveries at the end of the year after a period of R&D. The company is now taking orders, and it’s reportedly less expensive than the 100-hp Rotax 912.  Although 30 pounds heavier than the Rotax, it delivers 115 horsepower and has an alternator that pumps out 60 amps to power everything in the cockpit including the smoothie blender.  *** What?  You don’t have an ASTM-certified smoothie blender in your airplane?  It’s what’s happening… I call mine the iSmoothie.  *** More on the Lycoming tomorrow. *** Also spent time with Powrachute‘s Voyager ElectraChute which as you can guess is electric-powered on 128 volts of li-po batteries.  These guys are a happening company with several gas-powered LSA models but the electric model is in a class by itself, if powered parachutes are your bag, so to speak.  More on this tomorrow too, gotta get to the field.

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Catching up with Jon Hansen and James DeHart of Hansen Air Group in Georgia.  They rep the lovely line of FK Lightplanes German composite aircraft for all of North America (except Florida.) *** Jon had just delivered the first FK 9 ELA to a customer, who was there when I came by with four of his six children, all boys.  Three of them, at least so far, want to be pilots like their dad.  Nice looking family as you can see. *** The FK 9 ELA (which will be redubbed Sparrow to avoid confusion — some folks think “E” means Experimental) is a handsome, clean airplane that deserves to capture attention.  There are a whole line of these immaculate S-LSA, including the FA-04 that set a cross-country flight record for LSA last year and the gorgeous FK-14 Polaris that was originally going to be offered by Cirrus until that company ran into difficulties last year.

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Oshkosh A-Poppin’

By James Lawrence || Leave a Comment

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. *** Also on the bubble from our friends at Flight Design: *** At its annual press lunch next Tuesday, July 27, Flight Design USA prez Tom Peghiny and sales dude John Gilmore will have some things to talk about, including: *** <> New CTLS Floatplane is flying and on display at the booth *** <> CTLS Full-Motion Simulator (I’ve been wanting to try this out to see how well it mimics the CT – the ship I got my Sport Pilot ticket in) *** <> the CTLS Lite, announced at Sun ‘n Fun, will be on display, I’ll be flying it soon *** <> The MC is now an ASTM-certified legal SLSA (#109) and also approved in Europe *** <> Updates will be announced on FD’s exciting Hybrid Powerplant project which I blogged some time ago *** <> And a surprise announcement from FD also. ***    —photos courtesy Pipistrel and Flight Design

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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.

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