These days, “oversight” is a heavily used word on national media. But far from the strangeness of government bailouts is the world of Light-Sport Aircraft. For the new aviation sector, industry oversight is seen as critical by LAMA and many aviation leaders. *** A conversation with LAMA founder* Larry Burke shows the LSA industry organization is moving steadily toward its oversight goals. Insurance companies and others hope LAMA will audit companies supplying 80% of purchased LSA. Once that “critical mass” is reached, insurers feel they can advise customers do as LAMA encourages…”Look for the LAMA Label.” *** A LAMA audit verifies that a company which declares compliance to ASTM standards actually possesses the documentation to prove their declaration. After successfully passing a LAMA audit, a company can place LAMA Labels on their LSA so that potential customers are aware the company has satisfactorily completed a voluntary third party audit.
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LSA on their Way to San Jose (AOPA Expo)
Everyone is talking about tough economic times and aviators note the effect on the LSA and GA industries. But that won’t stop a good selection of Light-Sport Aircraft from appearing at AOPA’s annual Expo, this year in San Jose, California over November 6-7-8. In fact, with 60+ display airplanes expected and 14-15 of them LSA (list below photo), the light sector once again has a strong presence. *** Thanks to cooperation from AOPA static aircraft display organizers, LSA will once again be presented largely as a group (think LSA Mall). And the location for the collected LSA is sweet indeed: immediately inside the entryway to AOPA’s static aircraft display at Norman Mineta airport. You won’t be able to miss the LSA collection, so come on out and do a little shopping. *** In addition to aircraft displays, AOPA offers a wide range of seminars, including two presentations I will give called, “State of the Light-Sport Aircraft Industry” (TH-11/6 and SA-11/8, both at 11 AM to noon).
Hanging with the Jet Crowd; LSA at NBAA
Earlier it appeared that the Flight Design MC would be the first Light-Sport Aircraft ever displayed at the giant National Business Aircraft Association show. NBAA is the organization representing business jets plus a large range of exhibitors serving executive transportation. The trade show happening now in Orlando is a stupendous event with many more exhibitors than Oshkosh. Numerous displays are fantastic creations that cost more for a three-day show than LSA producers spend to market themselves for an entire year. *** So it is fascinating indeed that any LSA would be present at this event. And, in fact, two are seen by the bizjet crowd: the MC and Icon‘s handsome amphibious LSA project, the A5. Icon mounted their own display and reported good response, especially when one of their team hits the auto wing fold button. Even jaded aviators tend to have a jaw-drop reaction to this feature.
“New Wave” LSA, Part 1 — Terrafugia Transition
Recently, I visited three brand-new LSA developments. All are American. All are propelled by young engineers and enthusiasts. All are remarkably sophisticated. All companies have been successful at raising funds. And, perhaps most notably, all projects were started specifically because of the emergence of the Light-Sport Aircraft rule. *** All three are emphatically not reconfigured European microlights or vintage American designs…not that I have any objection to such aircraft. I am simply encouraged by fresh new designs from fresh young faces. Aviation needs that! *** My first example (others soon) is the Terrafugia Transition. Called a “roadable aircraft” rather than a “flying car,” Terrafuguia does what others have done but in a new, far more practical way. Compared to the Transition, Molt Taylor’s Aerocar is so last century. Transition folds its wings without leaving the cockpit. The company has produced a professional video that explains the concept and the award winning people behind it.
Shifting LSA Market Share Positions in Tough 2008
Reading the headlines these days shows the USA is flying through turbulence. Light-Sport Aircraft sales are suffering as are GA sales. Growth rates are off, without question, but not uniformly. We have a few companies that improved their positions in this difficult year. *** If you measure by the number of aircraft registered, top producers held on quite well, with Flight Design, Remos, Tecnam, Jabiru, Czech Aircraft Works and Legend, in order, recording the most registrations through eight months of 2008. If you measure by percentage of growth, we observe some interesting developments. But remember, those with the most total registrations are unlikely to also show the highest percentage of growth since their count on January 1, 2008. Smaller or new players logging some sales may have high percentages as they started low. *** Leading the percentage action was Urban Air, whose Lambada fleet has grown 140% (to 12).
Bilsam Sky Cruiser Wins SLSA (#84)
They still sneak by…under the radar. Welcome to Sky Cruiser, which won approval before Oshkosh. As the LSA industry heads toward its #100 SLSA approval — perhaps by the April 2009 fourth-year anniversary date since the first approval — welcome to #84 (previously reported #85). *** Built by Bilsam Aviation in Poland, the Sky Cruiser is represented in the U.S. by Joe Carswell’s Light Wing Sport Aircraft. His company also sells Allegro and X-Air plus Titan kit-built aircraft, all of which occupy the lower price range of Light-Sport Aircraft. Based in Morganton NC, Light Wing provides flight training at Clyde Valley Airport. *** To top out their line of modestly priced LSA, the Carolina company imports the Sky Cruiser. Plenty of technology details or specs can be found on the Bilsam website but the highlights are: Cruise 108 knots with a 100-hp Rotax 912 swinging a 3-blade carbon prop; stall 40 knots; climb 1,050 fpm; gross weight 1,298 pounds; empty weight 704-770 pounds, depending on equipment selected, which can include an optional factory installed parachute; 26-gallon fuel capacity yielding a 600 mile range; and a broad 48-inch wide cabin.
Remos Aircraft Announces New GX Model
Among many new aircraft shown at Oshkosh, one long-anticipated model was the updated Remos GX. The German company has moved steadily up the market share ranking of Special Light-Sport Aircraft using the earlier G-3 model designed in the 1990s. Following a major engineering effort, GX was shown to American buyers at the Wisconsin event. I was fortunate to fly the new model and found it has light and pleasant handling with several new features. *** Most notably, the wing has changed from the fabric covered version to a composite exterior that will likely be appreciated by customers including flight schools. The outer span is now tapered and the wing section is thinner, helping GX run close to the maximum speed allowed under LSA rules. GX, which is 100% built in Germany, retained the wing folding that attracts many buyers. Directional stability was enhanced by a longer “strake” or dorsal fin leading to the vertical stabilizer.
LSA Dominate $300,000 NASA Challenge 2008
Amid furious preparations for Oshkosh, CAFE Foundation, the efficiency folks, announced teams that will vie for a second year of prizes. CAFE has a $300,000 purse thanks to their partnership with NASA, which is celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2008. *** It may not surprise you to hear that four of five teams entered will fly Light-Sport Aircraft, and at least one is sure to end in the money as one prize ($10,000) is for “Quietest LSA.” Other prizes are a maximum of $150,000 for lowest community noise; two $50,000 prizes, one for “Green,” another for safety judged by handling qualities; a $25,000 speed prize; and four $3,750 “Showcase Prizes” covering quietest cabin, best angle of climb, shortest takeoff, and best glide. Winning a couple of the larger prizes is enough money “to actually buy someone their own LSA,” said CAFE President, Brien Seeley. *** The teams competing will fly a Pipistrel Virus (last year’s big winner of $165,000!–photo); a modified Diamond DA20-A1; a Dynamic WT9; the UFM-13 Lambada, and a Flight Design CTsw.
Icon’s A5 Flies! Check the YouTube Video
I’ve rarely promoted watching a YouTube video in a blog post. And this obviously isn’t the first SLSA (candidate) to make a first flight. But I’d repeat this many times if all first flights were as well documented as the first flight of the Icon A5 LSA seaplane. *** The L.A. company has shown unusual levels of professionalism and showmanship. So their creation of a quality video for a first flight comes as little surprise. *** Icon engineering team member Jon Karkow made the first flight on Wednesday, July 9th. Beside his engineering duties, Jon is an accomplished test pilot with a slate of first flights including the late Steve Fossett’s GlobalFlyer from Scaled Composites. *** “Everything went as well as an initial test flight possibly could go; so I was very pleased,” said Karkow. “The aircraft flew exceptionally well and met or exceeded our design expectations.
Strong Survive 2008; LSA Market Share Adjustments
Through the first six months of 2008, Light-Sport Aircraft deliveries have reflected the same challenges afflicting the rest of general or sport aviation…and for that matter, the overall U.S. economy. In fact, LSA registrations aren’t off as badly as are GA deliveries, perhaps due to significantly better fuel economy in an LSA. These FAA registrations can be analyzed to show trends. *** In the first half of 2008, the LSA industry registered 248 aircraft, which is 22% of all registrations from April 2005 through December 2007 (1,118). Many find it interesting to observe how market leaders compare. If a supplier registered less than 22% of their fleet in 2008, they slipped in market share (even if they registered more total airplanes). If they exceeded that figure, they gained market share. In the first half of 2008 gainers included: Remos up 62%; Czech Aircraft Works 47%; FPNA 45%; Gobosh 38%; Tecnam 35%; Aeropro 32%; and AMD 28%.
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