One sure way to know if a show works is to observe vendor participation over a number of years. As this is my 14th year attending the Midwest LSA Expo, I can tell you 2023 represents a strong turnout. Companies come back year after year because it works to connect them with interested customers. Both sides end up with smiles.
In this article, I will give you a glimpse of what you can see if you can attend on Friday and Saturday. For those that cannot come, this will provide some taste of what happens in Mount Vernon, Illinois in early September. Hopefully, you can come in 2024.
Every image you see below shows that vendors did not just bring one airplane to test the market. In every case, these companies brought two, three, or even four aircraft to show. That’s very rare even at AirVenture or Sun ‘n Fun.
What this illustrates is that the Midwest LSA Expo (about an hour’s drive east of St.Midwest LSA Expo — Opening Day Highlights Strong Aircraft Turnout and Lots of Demo Flying
One sure way to know if a show works is to observe vendor participation over a number of years. As this is my 14th year attending the Midwest LSA Expo, I can tell you 2023 represents a strong turnout. Companies come back year after year because it works to connect them with interested customers. Both sides end up with smiles.
In this article, I will give you a glimpse of what you can see if you can attend on Friday and Saturday. For those that cannot come, this will provide some taste of what happens in Mount Vernon, Illinois in early September. Hopefully, you can come in 2024.
Every image you see below shows that vendors did not just bring one airplane to test the market. In every case, these companies brought two, three, or even four aircraft to show. That’s very rare even at AirVenture or Sun ‘n Fun.
What this illustrates is that the Midwest LSA Expo (about an hour’s drive east of St. Louis) has become a standard bearer in the aviation calendar. Indeed, this is Midwest’s 15th event, tying the longest-running prior such show, which was the Sebring Sport Aviation Expo. After beginning these LSA-focused shows, Sebring concluded its 15-year run in 2019.
Congratulations to Chris Collins and his entire team of orange-shirted volunteers!
Who’s Here?
AeroTrek returned after a few year’s absence and they came in force. On opening day three aircraft had arrived and two more are expected. In addition, the company showed off their new open trailer which looks enormously easier to load and secure so long as you’re not trying to drive all the way across the country. For transportation in a local or regional area, this looks like a great choice with significantly lower costs.
Rob Rollison, the longtime importer of this very successful brand of modestly-priced LSA, has long maintained a very steady rate of business because his supplier overseas in Europe has maintained an prudent approach to business. This has helped that manufacturer remain very stable but it also means delivery times now reach about one year. Rob indicated most customers are willing to wait. It was good to see him back in Mt. Vernon with his handsome airplanes and new trailer.
For More Info — Aerotrek
Texas Aircraft appeared at Midwest some years back when their Colt LSA was a new entry in the game (#151 on our List). Now the company reports they just delivered the first batch of airplanes to a nearby flight school and they are excited about the future of Mosaic with their new four-seat Stallion model already flying in Brazil.
In some ways, the Texas company, which is directly associated with the Brazilian organization, is ahead of the game because Brazil’s ANAC has already created a very Mosaic-like regulation with minor differences. Approving that aircraft in their home country should make for a much easier entry to the U.S. market and this Hondo, Texas organization is ready to roll.
For More Info — Texas Aircraft
Bristell representative Piston Aviation reports running an active flight school operation. I plan to discuss this further with them to see how their flight school operates with the LSA of today. In the Mosaic preamble, FAA said extra weight was needed to make LSA into viable flight school aircraft, but I think they’re missing that these aircraft are already working well in that environment, assuming good flight school management and properly qualified instructors. (To be forthright, Piston also operates Piper Cherokees.)
Joe Ord’s Piston Aviation operates at Creve Coeur airport in the St. Louis area. They offer a wide range of flight instruction and list their prices right on their home page. You can tell by the nearby image that this company has a sense of style and they had handsome, custom-painted aircraft on display. Again you see the commitment people make to the Midwest LSA Expo if Piston will bring aircraft that could be in flight training to display for you at the show.
For More Info — Piston Aviation
Vashon brought two of their Ranger LSA to Midwest perhaps five years ago and they’ve been back every year since and they don’t come with just a single airplane. I hope you’re starting to get the message that these companies like this show and they don’t come here just to bond with their fellow vendors. They know they will meet people like you. Likewise, people that come to this event tend to be serious and ready to take their aviation interest to the next level.
While Vashon’s prices have risen slightly over the last couple years – along with virtually everything else you buy — they are still affordable to a wide range of pilots and have particular appeal to some by virtue of their use of a Continental O-200 powerplant. Lots of pilots and mechanics are familiar with that engine and, combined with a new and spacious airframe, the company is finding customers. Clearly, they find some of them right here in Mt. Vernon, Illinois.
For More Info — Vashon Aircraft
TL Sport Aircraft had two of their four models on display at Mt. Vernon. After a couple U.S. distributors that didn’t work as well as expected, Trey Murdaugh’s TL Sport Aircraft is bringing a more business-like approach. At Midwest LSA Expo he appropriately had on display a TL-3000 Sirius and an S-4 Sting. The latter (in an earlier model) was the #5 aircraft accepted by FAA as a Special LSA out of 158 now on our SLSA List.
However, Trey is also nicely positioned for Mosaic with his other two aircraft that did not travel to Mt. Vernon. One is the tandem-seating Stream, which I flew with him after Sun ‘n Fun 2022. That was a fine experience in a beautiful-flying aircraft. I look forward later this year to a flight in their side-by-side Mosaic-ready entry called Sparker that is the highest performing of their line. Of course, prices follow capability, so the Sirius or Sting may be the more affordable buy, but this company has got choices for you.
For More Info — TL Sport Aircraft
Zenith arrived with two of their popular Sport Pilot-eligible kit aircraft, Cruzer and Super Duty. Probably most readers of this website are aware that Zenith is the leading kit builder in the light aircraft space (as only one Van’s model can presently qualify as an LSA). This should surprise no one as these aircraft are highly proven, and the manufacturing of their kits has become quite sophisticated under the leadership of Sebastien Heintz.
The Mexico, Missouri based kit producer also hosts one of the largest events of its kind in the country, in fact, drawing even more people to it than the Midwest LSA Expo. Now in its 32nd year “Homecoming” is a must-go for any Zenith enthusiast. I’ve never been able to make it because it occurs right after the Midwest event but I hope many of you can and will attend. You can learn a lot at their event plus enjoy the camaraderie of others with similar interests.
For More Info — Zenith Aircraft
Magni Gyro rep’ Greg Gremminger brought two of his gyroplanes as he often has. Greg is one of those regulars that has made every Midwest event along with a handful of others. It helps that he’s based not far away, but this has proven to be a good event for him where he can give ramp-side talks about gyros to people that are interested. He’s done this for years and every time I’ve seen quite a collection of people listening intently as he describes his rotary-winged aircraft and how they fly.
A couple years ago my wife and I each took a flight with Greg and had a marvelous experience. I’m not qualified to fly gyroplanes solo, but I have learned from some experiences and I see the magic that so many enjoy. Greg was one of the original people to fight for 10 years asking FAA to finally allow fully-built gyroplanes. They wore him out without saying yes, but when Roy Beisswenger and I started our advocacy work, we took up the case again. Between his efforts and ours, I’m pleased that we will finally have factory-built gyros available for those enthusiasts.
For More Info — Magni Gyro USA
All this and more was available on opening day despite weather challenges to the east, holding up the arrival of some aircraft. BushCat is expecting two aircraft as is Jabiru. What I believe this list shows is that these companies are all willing to spend the money and take the time to bring multiple aircraft to the Midwest LSA Expo. One of the main reasons the show is popular and successful is the great ease of getting a demo flight in an airplane. Get on the schedule and when it’s your turn, it takes literally a few minutes to get airborne. Marvelous! Plus… entry to the show and parking are FREE.
Mosaic and More
I will have more on other aircraft that are at the show and other activities that I observe. In addition, the whole place is buzzing with talk of Mosaic, as you might expect a month and change after FAA dropped their new regulation on America.
These members of Midwest LSA Expo’s orange shirt brigade worked to keep flight demo operations humming and safe. Thanks to all the orange shirters!
I genuinely look forward to the question-and-answer session at the end of my two talks (Friday and Saturday at 11 AM). I’m pleased to give out what I believe is good information on the new proposed rule, but the most valuable interplay comes from pilots expressing their concerns and opinions. If you’re in the area, please join us. If you can’t make it. I will plan to video it and I’ll get that up as soon as I can.
Stay tuned for more from the Midwest LSA Expo 2023!
One sure way to know if a show works is to observe vendor participation over a number of years. As this is my 14th year attending the Midwest LSA Expo, I can tell you 2023 represents a strong turnout. Companies come back year after year because it works to connect them with interested customers. Both sides end up with smiles.
In this article, I will give you a glimpse of what you can see if you can attend on Friday and Saturday. For those that cannot come, this will provide some taste of what happens in Mount Vernon, Illinois in early September. Hopefully, you can come in 2024.
Every image you see below shows that vendors did not just bring one airplane to test the market. In every case, these companies brought two, three, or even four aircraft to show. That’s very rare even at AirVenture or Sun ‘n Fun.
What this illustrates is that the Midwest LSA Expo (about an hour’s drive east of St.
“We did retool and redesign the aircraft and invest in the tooling necessary to be able to produce the majority of the aircraft in-house. This redesign and investment cost more than the original design of the EMG-6. This set the project back by nearly two years.
Work also continued with the MGM Compro motor system. This was early in electric aircraft development; motor and controller delays also stymied the EMG project.
Brian yearned at the end of our phone call, “I’m dying to get back on it. I have three in the rafters and I have motors [and many other components].” The tooling did travel from California to Missouri, he noted.
If you haven’t been paying attention, MOSAIC is an acronym for a regulation that affects all aircraft with Special airworthiness certificates. Aircraft built by Cessna, Piper, Cirrus, Diamond, and others instead have Standard certificates and are not touched by this Mosaic regulation. In contrast, all LSA, Experimental Amateur Built airplanes, and warbirds have Special certificates. (FYI, I stopped writing Mosaic in all-caps because it looks like shouting.)
It is possible to request an extension, but of course, that will simply add time to the end, delaying the new rule’s release. Pilots would have to wait longer for its benefits.
Or, at least express yourself if you are dissatisfied with the product FAA offers. While I urge you not to rant, you can most certainly offer constructive criticism, but that will be most effective if you add a possible solution for them. That will not be possible for everybody, but some of you will be inspired in various ways, and I hope you’ll all give it a shot.
Fun flying in northern climates might begin to slow but in the southern half of the U.S., flying for fun is entering its best season.
In Mount Vernon, Illinois, 2023 will be the 15th running of the Expo, and I have zero doubt it will happen again in 2024.
Activities include two full days of educational seminars and workshops, an aircraft show, contests, social activities, as well as a Zenith barbecue dinner on Friday evening plus a fried-chicken dinner with awards presentations on Saturday.
This year Aero Showcase will broaden its focus from only Light-Sport Aircraft to include general aviation brands to offer a wider scope of aircraft and products.
“Rod bought Phil out in 2005 and continued the adventure at Jabiru,” wrote Mick Halloran, now Executive Director of Jabiru. “After thirty-five years of inspiration and perspiration, Jabiru stands as Australia’s premier aircraft manufacturer, with one of the world’s best affordable touring aircraft and even more remarkably, one of the few light aero engines in continuous production. Rod built a team that has delivered (at the time of writing) 2,124 aircraft and 7,223 engines, has a customer list that spans the world and a complex international supply chain.” Mick summarized, “It’s a global enterprise run from a couple of sheds in Bundaberg (Queensland, Australia, on the country’s east coast).”
“Two months ago, I took over the business,” he wrote. He reported previous roles in the “big corporate world,” at companies such as British Aerospace and Lockheed Martin. He worked in the USA and Europe as well as Australia, “on everything from the original design of the Joint Strike Fighter.”
Amazingly, it’s not all bad. While heads of state send troops into harms way, most of a nation’s citizenry merely attempts to live a normal life amid the chaos of war. Doing business and living your life while bomb warning sirens shriek is something most Americans can’t grasp, thankfully.
Yet, “They are back to ten aircraft per month,” said Andy. “Their best-ever steady performance was 12 aircraft per month before Covid and then Russia’s invasion. So, they are doing surprisingly well.”
After A-32’s introduction five years ago, Aeroprakt has continued to upgrade A-22 even after the original was greatly streamlined to arrive at A-32.
After eight months of 2023, Andy’s 
But… uggghhh! Who wants to read this stuff? If it doesn’t put you to sleep, it might infuriate you.
It just got a lot easier, thanks to 
“Now, with the advent of FAA’s Mosaic,” continued Shalom, “MC-04 enters the market as a ‘family-size’ aircraft that boasts a formidable powerplant, the turbocharged Rotax 916iS with 160 horsepower that gives cruising speeds of 132 knots while ranging of 800 nautical miles, and a rate of climb hitting 1,300 feet per minute.”
As a single point, price is important to nearly all consumers. Even in 2023, Aerolite 103 is available for around $25,000 (details below). That price comes after three years of high inflation (you know how many prices have increased significantly), after the upset of Covid and its effect on supply chains, after quadrupled shipping costs, and after the outbreak of hostilities in Ukraine. Despite an overload of upsetting, price-increasing actions, 
Dennis moved 
I love the Aerolite 103. I flew one on several occasions and found it a friendly flying machine with no evil qualities that will fly exactly as you’d expect.
Add a fuel engine from Hirth or MZ for 28 to 50 horsepower for a cost of $6,500 to $13,500. You can also choose an electric option that runs from $10-14,000.
AEROPRAKT
HAWK ULTRA AIR
AQUILAE
FUSION NANO GYRO
GOGETAIR 750
All that leaves out how well it flies, which developer Nick Pfannenstiel reported was the #1 appeal of the airplane. So after enjoying an easy, relaxing flight in your Jenny, you land to be swarmed by people who believe they’ve just witnessed a piece of history fly into their lives.
“Thousands of surplus Jennys were sold at bargain prices to private owners in the years after WWI and became central to the barnstorming era that helped awaken the U.S. to civil aviation through much of the 1920,” according to Wikipedia. “It was the first airplane many people ever saw,” said Timber Tiger Aircraft.
Early Bird Aircraft created their “Generation 1” Jenny at two-thirds scale. The “Generation 2” Jenny by Timber Tiger Aircraft is a three-quarters scale replica featuring “improved hardware, improved documentation, more accurate replica looks, more advanced kit preparation, and reinforcements in key areas,” explained Nick.
Jenny is offered in a variety of kits. Start with a basic kit (for experienced builders) for $6,900. A group of extra kits can be bought separately: quick-build wing kits, a snazzy louvered engine cowl kit, and several others. All that’s lacking is an engine, prop, instruments (and perhaps an electrical system), tires and tubes, plus covering and paint.
Here is another entry that qualifies as affordable (though that means something different for each person reading). “Estimated average cost to build to completion is $25,000 to $45,000,” said Nick at AirVenture Oshkosh 2023. Here’s how that breaks out.
Where did American Aircraft come from and how does it relate to earlier aircraft associated with prolific Columbian aeronautical designer Max Tedesco (using his somewhat Americanized name)?
Now at AirVenture 2023, I spoke again with Danny Labovic who had worked with the man from Sila. Although he gave it a good effort, he said it proved impossible to work with the Sila developer and he ended the relationship.
Like all Max Tedesco designs I have examined, Freedom is an all-metal construction, accented with chromoly steel in stressful locations along with limited use of composites. From my previous experience in his creations, I would expect slow stalls in the mid-30-knot range, spirited climb rates beyond 1,000 feet per minute, and quite cooperative handling. Max has been designing light aircraft for 50 years and he knows his trade based on my discoveries when flying earlier entries.
The bigger and more accurate picture is that KFA is yet another light aviation success story for South Africa
The gray-over-black Explorer looks familiar to Oshkosh attendees. I overheard more than one person say it “looks like a Kitfox.” This comment is not original or accurate because even Kitfox started out as a modification of an Avid Flyer, the true original of this planform by designer Dean Wilson 40 years ago. Many other variations on the theme have been developed over the decades.
Even though Safari XL must be Experimental Amateur Built, KFA is happy to support different skill sets with a variety of kit packages. Beside the basic kit that may consume 700 hours, the company offers at least two levels that are commonly called quick-build kits.
Part 103 has always been a choice — no medical, N-numbers, or pilot certificate needed — yet not everybody wants that. A great many pilots desire a two seater, even if they nearly always fly it solo. You usually pay more for a two seater, making it less likely to be affordable.
Does “complete” mean a full parts kit? Yes, including wing coverings but everything else you need as well: 80-horsepower Rotax 912 (more than enough; I thought one flew well even with a 582), Kiev 3-blade prop, custom exhaust system, carb heat, Kanardia instruments, and engine instruments.
If you prefer a smoother fuselage, the Nynja model is available for $10,000 more ($59,985, still quite a value in 2023).The extra funds buy a composite fuselage exterior plus a 100-horse 912.
Construction features include: Pin-jointed tubular construction; no welded structure; only straight tubes are used (except wing ribs), which aids assembly; airframe uses aircraft grade 2024 aluminum tubing. Other parts are made from steel and stainless steel.
Since 2017, Britain’s 
For those that want ultimate STOL, the original long wing is also available on request.
The night before opening, with literally hours before the show starts, the place appears in a state of chaos. Pandemonium reigns. Vehicles, crates, equipment of every kind is seemingly strewn about as if by a storm (which did do some damage on Saturday night, ironically most affecting those who started earlier).
I close out this tour of set-up day at AirVenture Oshkosh 2023 with a look at an AirCam.
Tom Peghiny of Flight Design USA fame, wrote, “Jan Jilek is one of the design engineers of Future Vehicles as well as their test pilot. He is also a talented aerobatic performer. We flew together in a few planes while I was working in Sumperk, CZ [as a consultant to Flight Design].”
Dingo’s main landing gear is welded from thin-walled steel tubes and bolts to the fuselage. Tail gear is steerable and straightened by spring. Ailerons and elevator are connected to the stick by push-pull rods, and the rudder is connected to welded pedals by cables.
Dingo is a single-seat open cockpit biplane, powerplant in pusher configuration, a classic taildragger with a T-tail empennage. It was designed with a focus on easy and quick assembly. That promise is aided by using match-hole technology that assures a homebuilder without fancy jigs can accurately assemble Dingo subassemblies. This is now widely used in LSA but it is far less common on Part 103 entries.
“The detailed assembly directions include both a PDF manual with excellent CAD drawings and parts lists of each assembly and companion videos of how each assembly is built,” noted Future Vehicles.
Leaders encouraged F37 committee members (more than 200 persons around the world), “Once the NPRM is posted (see below!), if you have available time, please try to review as much as you can and capture your questions/comments for group discussion next week [at AirVenture 2023 meetings]. These are generally pretty lengthy documents. We’ll all be freshly digesting the NPRM, so everyone’s perspectives and interpretations will be important to help bring clarity as quickly as possible.”
From FAA’s official lead…
The STC is currently available and shipment of pre-order propellers has begun.
Sensenich seems determined to be on the nose of every airplane they can identify — and on the aft of dozens more. The company offers props for all manner of aircraft plus does a large business with airboats that are used all over Florida.
That was unfortunate but unavoidable. The show must go on (and be reported). I’m always amazed at how many aircraft make first flights or other notable events just as some show is opening.
Land-based aircraft don’t require such testing, which relates to 
Fitting the new engine, completing all water-based testing, and preparing for ASTM’s lengthy flight test requirements will keep Team Vickers close to their shop for the next few months.
Who would argue these points? Yet it takes patience — and money — to go at a deliberate pace.
As the mainstream media hyperfocuses on multicopter air taxi ideas consuming vast amounts of money (why media pays attention in the first place), people like Chip have different thoughts about using electric power on aircraft. Depod is one of those concepts.
Indeed, Chip’s term sounds made-for-military. DEPOD is awkward but does describe the idea.
“Now covered by two U.S. patents (see at bottom) this new on-demand propulsion system gives the pilot instant added thrust for takeoff or for a go-around, and instant reverse thrust to allow shorter landing rolls,” explain Chip.. “It helps achieve extreme short takeoff and landing performance in three ways, and it provides added aircraft ‘envelope protection’.”
These small wing motors, used briefly to enhance a phase of flight, need only a battery you can hold in your hand because they are not primary thrust power (though they add a good measure to the total).
By pushing air across the aileron, a Merlin Lite with these small motors buried in the wings could maintain control down to nearly zero airspeed. The small wing-mounted motor also helps generate more lift, making for very short takeoffs. “It could cut takeoff roll by three times,” Chip suggested.
From eleven years ago comes the #3 in our list of 
Great detail is unnecessary since you cannot buy a new ArrowCopter and I know of no used ones for sale although at least two were sold into the United States (they appear in pictures). Still, it’s worthwhile to look at some of its unique qualities.
ArrowCopter’s aerodynamically shaped landing gear strakes provide lift in horizontal flight, claimed some reviewers, and serve as fuel tanks. This design feature is one of several distinctive ideas that ArrowCopter designer Dietmar Fuchs incorporated.
