Company owner Mike Loehle has a workable theme: give pilots airplanes loaded with nostalgia, price them right, make the kits buildable by ordinary humans, and back that up with good factory support. His 5151 Mustang broke this ground. Now the Tennessee builder has other designs in the stable.
One is the Sport Parasol. Looks may motivate most buyers of nostalgia, but it doesn’t hurt that the planes fly well. The Parasol in particular may look like a design that would fly very slowly and be very docile. In fact, the Parasol zips along at a good speed and offers rather brisk handling.
The Parasol was introduced at a paltry $2,500 without engine. Part of Loehle’s thinking was that buyers could easily find a used 447 Rotax or equivalent. Add a few more goodies desired by many pilots and you’re still aloft for about $6,000, quite a bargain in a time where everything seems priced at $10-20,000.
Some of this economy is based on the primary material: wood. Those who’ve only built bolt-together kits may be frightened by the effort. You needn’t be. Loehle takes pains to save you many hours by precutting most wood parts. On average, the factory says to expect a 350 hour investment. Considering the Sport Parasol could save you $7,000 over another choice, your time is worth $20/hour. No wonder it sells.
Full Review in Jul. ’92 UF!
Hello Dan,
Could you let me know where I might purchase a set of plans for the Loehle Sport Parasol ?
814-677-4680
wedoplans@gmail (I am an Architect)
Thank you in advance.
Dave
Mike Loehle is no longer in the aircraft-building business but he is back supplying paint and prep materials under his business Loehle Coatings. You can contact him at that business to see what, if anything, he might offer.
Someone somewhere must have a set of plans…I hope
I have plans for a Loehle Sport Parasol:
412-916-5476
We really need a set of plans for a
We really need a set of plans for the Loehle sport parasol. Tail section broke right above where the wheel attaches. Do you still have plans? 330-205-5179
Hello, I have recently bought a Loehle and would like to get some plans to it as a couple of the ribs are cracked and need to be replaced and I would like to have plans in case anything is wrong. Thanks!
Hi Lyle: I replied to you by private email Lyle, offering the contact I had for Mike Loehle. I hope you are able to get what you seek.
I have also recently acquired a 50% Loehle Sport Parasol and need a full set of instructions. Thank you!
Hi Bob: I saw Mike Loehle at AirVenture 2018 while we were shooting a video (so I could not reach out to him at that time). I never saw him again to speak to him and am not able to supply any information as to his enterprise, if still operating. A Van’s Aircraft builder wrote, “Loehle was mainly into aircraft coverings and paints but did offer support for kits that were already sold.” I wish I could offer more, but…