The Shows Are ON! It’s April 2023, kicking off two great affordable aviation events: Sun ‘n Fun and Aero Friedrichshafen 2023.
March 27, 2023

CubCrafters has never made an aircraft powered by Rotax. Images accompanying this article portray their very first example using the 9-series engine in a model intended for production.
March 31, 2023

If I hear one thing over and over it is this: “I want a four-stroke engine for my Part 103 ultralight.
March 30, 2023

In a splendid professional presentation, Waco Aircraft unveiled their newest vintage-style aircraft.
March 29, 2023

Sun ‘n Fun 2023 — Day 1 During 2023, in only three months, I’ve lost count how many airframe producers have told me a story that goes something like this… “We (some manufacturer) offer two 100-horsepower choices: a Rotax 912ULS (carbureted) and 912iS (fuel injected), plus the new 141-horsepower 915iS (fuel injected, intercooled).
March 28, 2023

M-Squared Aircraft is one of the light sector’s pioneering airframe producers.
March 27, 2023

Air taxis — eVTOLs — UAVs — UASs — UAMs. I like “multicopters,” but the name game continues.
March 25, 2023

Recreational aviation can be hugely rewarding in many ways, but creating a well-functioning and useful business in this sector of flying has challenges.
March 23, 2023

Sun ‘n Fun 2023 means spring and helps kick off a season of recreational flying.
March 17, 2023

Whoo, Hoo! It’s almost showtime! April 2023 seems destined to finally overcome all the Covid baggage as attendees sign up in droves for Sun ‘n Fun.
March 13, 2023

I have followed Super Petrel since before it went to Brazil* more than 20 years ago.
March 6, 2023

I regularly say this website follows aircraft you can afford. Whenever I write that word, I know someone will object saying that (fill-in-the-price) is too expensive.
March 2, 2023

It’s cold up north. So, time for a winter boat show?
February 27, 2023

A winning airshow attraction over the last few years has been STOL competitions.
February 23, 2023

Darkest before dawn? I hear growing concern about FAA’s new Mosaic regulation and what it will or won’t do. 
February 16, 2023

Brrrr, it’s mighty cold in northern places like Oshkosh, Wisconsin, headquarters for EAA.
February 9, 2023

Zenith’s headline read: “All-electric Zenith ‘Sky Jeep’ completes first flight, with plans to transport doctors and medical supplies in remote areas of the world.” Several aviation publishers jumped on the news* from light kit-built market leader, Zenith Aircraft.
February 1, 2023

When the Sebring U.S. Sport Aviation Expo launched back in 2004 — the same year the SP/LSA regulation was released — the central Florida location began serving a then-new aviation segment.
January 26, 2023

When Light-Sport Aircraft arrived on the scene almost 20 years ago, one early model that caught my attention was Kappa KP-5.
January 18, 2023

The year started with hope. As 2022 arrived, America and most countries (China excepted) were emerging from two years of difficult lockdowns and Covid.
January 12, 2023

These new-millennia flying machines have inspired multiple names. While an eventual winner is determined, a common handle seems to be the rather awkward “eVTOL” — for electric vertical takeoff and landing.
January 5, 2023

Some might say Icon Aircraft has experienced a rather turbulent flight.
December 29, 2022

Once upon a time, I was able to report three or more new Special Light-Sport Aircraft every month.
December 21, 2022

Fifteen years ago, in 2007, Guisset brothers Jean-Marie and Jean-Baptiste were dealers in France and Belgium for a company then known as Aveko.
December 15, 2022

Web stats showed a strong response to my article about Ukraine-based light aircraft builders continuing on even as the missiles fly and the bombs fall around them.
December 8, 2022

When I was a kid, I was a New York Yankees baseball fan.
December 4, 2022

Pilots love airplanes (duh!). Pilots also love engines, especially when they are truly powerful.
November 30, 2022

A Message of Thanks on a Day of Thanksgiving Does a “simple aircraft” seem a contradiction in modern aviation?
November 24, 2022

Rotax’s 9-series engines have propelled several aircraft in round-the-world flights. One major user of the Austrian powerplants is  The Airplane Factory in South Africa.
November 21, 2022

American and European pilots can plan a trip across the continent with surprising ease and with great support from air traffic controllers, airport operators, and businesses that serve aviation.
November 13, 2022

The following story is one that moved me and might affect you similarly.
November 7, 2022

At airshows throughout 2022, I repeatedly spoke to pilots interested in ultralights, the true Part 103 variety.
November 2, 2022

As I departed DeLand airport on Saturday at the close of Aero Showcase 2022, I recalled multiple conversations with attendees regarding the airplanes on display.
October 26, 2022

I have long recognized that one of the toughest things a group can do is decide to launch and operate a new event.
October 22, 2022

When I asked “Mosaic LSA?” in the lead image of this article, was I simply being provocative?
October 20, 2022

One of the longest-awaited Light-Sport development projects has been Vickers Aircraft’s Wave, a sophisticated amphibious LSA seaplane.
October 18, 2022

Shortly after the Midwest LSA Expo each year, a nearby company hosts a homecoming for its builders.
October 12, 2022

UPDATE Note (10/15/22): I urge all readers to take special note of two comments below that greatly add to the respect I intended to show John Ballantyne and Chuck Slusarczyk.
October 7, 2022

While those of us in Florida hangared our aircraft and hunkered down for Hurricane Ian, elsewhere in the world, many pilots were preparing their airplanes and gearing up for one of the biggest aviation events you’ll never see.
October 5, 2022

Sun ‘n Fun does it. EAA AirVenture Oshkosh did it. Why not the smaller, sector-specific shows?
September 26, 2022

I am honored that the room was full to standing room only capacity but even that gratifying turn-out at the Midwest LSA Expo 2022 represents a fraction of pilots keen to learn more about Mosaic.
September 18, 2022

Problem: The fleet of aircraft trainers in the USA is getting old.
September 14, 2022

Some kind of remarkable thing happened here in Mt. Vernon, Illinois where the Midwest LSA Expo is taking place.
September 10, 2022

While I have been familiar with AVI’s Swan for several years, having earlier seen it at the German Aero show, this was a first appearance for Swan in the United States.
September 9, 2022

A common question from affordable aviation enthusiasts asks about four stroke engines, either for genuine Part 103 ultralights (available but somewhat more challenging) or for very light aircraft.
September 7, 2022

As Labor Day approaches each year, pilots in the Midwest U.S.
September 2, 2022

Capitalism and competition are one thing. Government policies and actions are quite another.
August 26, 2022

Is it an LSA or is it not an LSA? Is that the question?
August 16, 2022

We leave the grounds of Oshkosh ghosted with images of planes that attracted major interest.
August 8, 2022

One of the most-read articles from my coverage of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2022 was the news that FAA missed their deadline as originally projected and will be a year or more late with the Mosaic rule.
August 4, 2022

Somewhere, it seems like a group of light plane developers must have held a meeting and decided that low wing manufacturers needed to broaden their line to include high wings.
July 29, 2022

EAA has reported that the Warbird displays (ground and flight) are the single biggest draw at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.
July 28, 2022

A year ago at Oshkosh, I became intrigued by the way Composite FX had developed the older Mosquito into their XE line; multiple models running from a legitimate Part 103 helicopter, their XEL model, to the turbine XET model.
July 27, 2022

Many of you have been asking about FAA and their Mosaic regulation.
July 26, 2022

I write this on the eve of Oshkosh 2022. The big summer celebration of flight opens officially on Monday, July 25 running through next Sunday, July 31st.
July 25, 2022

Get ready for summer’s big celebration of flight. It starts Monday, July 25th for the week.
July 24, 2022

When I look at Dingo from Future Vehicles, I see a fascinating blend of designs combining the looks of Aviad’s Zigolo Mg21 and Mike Loehle’s former Easy Riser.
July 20, 2022

“Time to spare? Go by air!” is a familiar humor line, speaking to weather uncertainties, mechanical delays, or relaxed cruise speeds that can slow or stall a cross-country flight in our fun, recreational aircraft.
July 15, 2022

Talk about being ahead of its time, Junkers’ A50 Junior was designed to 600 kilograms / 1,320 pounds …93 years ago!
July 11, 2022

Fifty three years ago this month, Neil Armstrong made history when he declared first, “The Eagle has landed.” His words described a momentous occasion: humans about to set foot on the moon.
July 8, 2022

Considering the company has always been a western U.S. manufacturer, a name that sounds like “six shooter” conjures a cowboy image, horse-riding westerners packing a pistol on their hip.
July 1, 2022

This year, 2022, saw a return to all the great airshows we have come to know and love.
June 22, 2022

Airspace from ground level to 400 feet is about to get really crowded. 
June 16, 2022

The title of this article contains a lot of information. If you are a close observer of light aircraft, you may recognize B.O.T.’s Speed Cruiser but you didn’t get the rest right away, did you?
June 10, 2022

In a time of great spectator enthusiasm for STOL competitions, wouldn’t a VTOL be even better?
June 2, 2022

For years, one company has led the fleet of light aircraft.
May 28, 2022

Let’s return to affordable aviation after two wonderful shows full of shiny new aircraft.
May 22, 2022

Our concluding report from Europe’s most interesting airshow (certainly for those interested in affordable aviation) speaks to the challenges for big event organizers in the restrictive atmosphere of Covid mandates.
May 16, 2022

Sun ‘n Fun started the recreational flying season as it always does, taking place this year in the beginning of April.
May 11, 2022

“Now, wait a minute,” I hear some object! “You can’t do aerobatics in a Light-Sport Aircraft.
May 5, 2022

Over many years as an affordable aviation journalist I have learned two things.
May 3, 2022

How about this? Among the loudest “buzz” at Aero Friedrichshafen 2022 was the introduction of turbine engines on Light-Sport Aircraft.
April 29, 2022

My moment of truth is fast approaching. Will I succeed or fail to predict the future?
April 28, 2022

After Sun ‘n Fun 2022 ended, as pilots were flying home to bases across the USA, a couple aircraft stopped nearby at the DeLand Airport.
April 18, 2022

As Sun ‘n Fun 2022 comes to a close, so does my daily reporting.
April 10, 2022

I have been working in this industry since, well… before it was an industry, so a long time.
April 9, 2022

At Sun ‘n Fun, as with AirVenture Oshkosh, recent years have created a new attraction using the Lightplane airstrip at both the nation’s two largest airshows.
April 7, 2022

A year ago at Sun ‘n Fun 2021, I reported on a Rotax 503 replacement built in Russia.
April 6, 2022

When Sun ‘n Fun 2022 starts, a signal can be heard ’round the world.
April 5, 2022

Long in development to incorporate a raft of distinctive ideas, Vickers Wave took its first flight last month, mere weeks before the launch of Sun ‘n Fun 2022, which kicks off a new flying season.
April 3, 2022

Welcome to the newest Special Light-Sport Aircraft in the fleet: Savage Norden.
April 1, 2022

Did you read “Jet Access” and think this article was not for you?
March 31, 2022

I can remember firsthand when one of aviation’s true characters — Chuck Slusaczyk, of Chuck’s Glider Supplies or CGS — brought his first Hawk to Sun ‘n Fun.
March 24, 2022

Pilot, builder, owner Roger Jennings is singular in an uncommon way.
March 18, 2022

I am longtime enthusiast of single place aircraft. Clearly, I am not alone.
March 12, 2022

Two wildly divergent events occurred in the last few days. They are completely unrelated yet they show the global interplay in modern light aviation.
March 6, 2022

Article Update — Photos of the designer’s own project… see at bottom.
March 1, 2022

Americans know Zigolo thanks to U.S. importer, Chip Erwin.
February 24, 2022

I promise I will not keep reporting futuristic eVTOLS or multicopters.
February 20, 2022

By my study and reports from several other organizations, the world has somewhere north of 1,000,000 pilots.
February 16, 2022

It’s always exciting to welcome a new entry into recreational aviation.
February 11, 2022

For years — no, make that decades — numerous pilots of light aircraft have told me the Rotax 503 was their favorite two-stroke engine.
February 3, 2022

In the early days of Light-Sport Aircraft, a veritable tsunami of flying machines crossed the Atlantic or Pacific to land on American shores.
January 27, 2022

Barely after we rang in the new year, here’s a review of 2021 market shares and info regarding the state of the light, recreational aircraft industry.
January 21, 2022

To welcome a brand new year in affordable aviation, I am pleased to announce the launch of our Part 103 List.
January 13, 2022

You can hardly follow any media without finding some article about the latest whizzbang electric propulsion multicopter project that “will transform urban transportation!” Or so they breathlessly exclaim.
January 6, 2022

Now that 2021 is historical and following two years of Covid uncertainty and business interruptions, many readers can breathe a sigh of relief for an better 2022.
January 1, 2022

Over the years, curious pilots have asked me what aircraft I fly.
December 29, 2021

Rather loudly and persistently I beat the drum about “affordable aircraft,” but readers also enjoy learning about other aircraft.
December 21, 2021

The last airshow of 2021 is over. The Christmas holidays are beginning to dominate everyone’s calendar.
December 16, 2021

This website regularly promotes affordable aviation. Can you genuinely find an aircraft you like that is affordable?
December 8, 2021

You’ve seen this airplane before but recreational flying enthusiasts with a good memory may ask, “Hmm, that looks a lot like an older LSA …what is it?” Those LSA veterans may be recalling Kappa KP5, one of the earliest entries on our SLSA List (#9).
December 2, 2021

UPDATE 11/28/21 — Vickers Aircraft sent fresh images and additional comments.
November 27, 2021

With the DeLand Showcase 2021 ended, we have officially wrapped up the airshow season for 2021.
November 23, 2021

At the season-ending DeLand Showcase 2021, I gave a keynote address on Saturday attended by airplane owners and sellers.
November 15, 2021

A few years back at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, I discovered a good-looking design but I did not see it each year.
November 11, 2021

Two decades into the new millennia, few aviation companies can claim impressive growth.
November 7, 2021

Over many years, many people have done solid work to accommodate people who are physically challenged in one way or another.
November 2, 2021

A company based in Trenton, Florida has taken the Mosquito helicopter designed by Canadian John Uptigrove and brought it into the modern age.
November 2, 2021

North American’s World War II-era P-51 Mustang has consistently won polls of pilots asking to identify their favorite aircraft.
October 26, 2021

Video Updated 10/25/21 — See at bottom for a video recorded at Sun ‘n Fun 2021… —DJ Ever in search of recreational aircraft pilots can afford, I had a closer look at Excalibur’s display at Sun ‘n Fun 2021.
October 21, 2021

Probably like a lot of you, I enjoy different kinds of flying but if asked to state one favorite, it’s an easy question to answer.
October 14, 2021

Since Chuck Slusarczyk’s first Hawk won Best New Design at Sun ‘n Fun in the spring of 1982 — the same year Part 103 was released — this affordable series of models has continued to increase its flock of smiling owners.
October 8, 2021

Let’s keep a focus on aircraft affordability. Look, we love recreational aircraft.
October 3, 2021

Numerous reports involve rising inflation in the last year. What’s driving this?
September 23, 2021

I consistently promote that this website focuses on “affordable” aircraft. I used quotes because affordable literally means something different to every single individual.
September 20, 2021

On the final day of the Midwest LSA Expo 2021, winds came up as predicted and energy levels began to come down to Earth, but it was a fitting conclusion to what appeared to be a very successful show.
September 12, 2021

Midwest LSA Expo‘s forum organizers called it a “record crowd” that turned out to hear my talk about coming changes in FAA’s latest regulation.
September 11, 2021

One area of light aircraft flight — LSA, kits, or ultralights — that gets less attention is aerobatics.
September 10, 2021

Many readers know I love this event, the Midwest LSA Expo at Mt.
September 9, 2021

A month ago as EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2021 ended, the most popular article from my week of reporting from the big show focused on Composite FX.
September 1, 2021

Sun ‘n Fun kicked off the 2021 season but also restarted the idea of returning to airshows.
August 28, 2021

For 18 months, the world has been under assault from a bug so small you can’t see it without a big microscope.
August 23, 2021

For a week last month, the center of the aviation universe was headquartered in Oshkosh, Wisconsin — population around 50,000 until AirVenture brings in five times that many on the biggest days.
August 16, 2021

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2021 is one for the history books. Initial reporting from the big member organization suggests 2021 was a return to normal attendance and exhibitors were not far behind.
August 8, 2021

As EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2021 winds down to a conclusion, a chance conversation brought the handsome aircraft below into clearer focus.
August 1, 2021

A mid-week demonstration featured Europe’s Volocopter and America’s Opener BlackFly. The two (three actually, a pair of BlackFlys flew) demonstrated their eVTOL flying capability.
July 30, 2021

As you readers must know, I prefer to focus mainly on the airplanes, on light aircraft.
July 29, 2021

Day 2 AirVenture began with “rain that went sideways,” according to one vendor.
July 28, 2021

WOW! It’s great to be back at a major airshow. I imagine every single person on that immense stretch of show grounds (way past a mile north to south!) felt largely the same way I did.
July 27, 2021

As AirVenture Oshkosh 2021 starts, we have arrived at a long-awaited beginning to the world’s biggest airshow.
July 25, 2021

Well, FINALLY, AirVenture Oshkosh is barely a week away. It seems like forever, doesn’t it?
July 20, 2021

The age of Light Personal Aircraft is not far off in the future but is that where “fast-glass” LSA are headed?
July 16, 2021

Taking a welcome break from FAA news, let’s check out our favorite topic: cool new airplanes.
July 9, 2021

UPDATE 7/8/21 — BREAKING NEWS: EAA issued a report today saying FAA took some steps to resolve this matter, but it is far from an elegant solution and does not fully address the problem.
July 6, 2021

Normally, this website focuses tightly on airplanes and the equipment and services needed to keep them flying.
July 2, 2021

“WE DID IT!” boasted the team from down under! “We are thrilled to announce that this afternoon we achieved a World Endurance Record for an electric aircraft, breaking the previous mark set in Germany last year.” (Note: Official recognition always takes more time.) Pipistrel distributor Michael Coates, wrote, “South Australian-based Eyre to There Aviation … Flying a Pipistrel Alpha Electro plane, arrived in Port Augusta late yesterday (Friday June 25) after breaking the previous mark of 750 kilometers on the leg between Shoalwater Point Station and Whyalla.” Lead by Eyre to There Aviation Managing Director, Barrie Rogers, the team will continue to Adelaide aiming to fly 1,350 kilometers by the end of the journey.
June 27, 2021

Most of us would be mighty pleased to sit comfortably and gaze upon our pace-setting aircraft.
June 25, 2021

Does Alpha have the tiny little motor that could? Article updated 6/22/21 —DJ That sounds like an old childhood story (“The Little Engine that Could…”) but here we are in the new millennia with electric cars, huge wind farms, vast solar collector projects, biofuels, and more.
June 21, 2021

How does modern-day Rotax relate to the Wright Brothers? Here’s a trivia test for light aviation enthusiasts.
June 16, 2021

“Winds are going to be rather sporty,” observed AirCam developer, Phil Lockwood, as he and Robert Meyer and the AirCam team finalized arrangements for another fly-out, this one to Jekyll Island (09J).
June 14, 2021

Summer is fast approaching and for much of the northern hemisphere, that means seaplane flying.
June 11, 2021

Recently I interacted with a reader, someone considering a light aircraft for purchase.
June 7, 2021

This flying dream has been years in the making. Admittedly, it’s a big project, but so authentic is this 70%-scale P-51 Mustang lookalike that I think I see you already starting to drool.
June 2, 2021

The appeal is obvious. What pilot doesn’t like the idea of flying faster?
May 30, 2021

Down under, heads are down and wrenches are wrenching. A team in New Zealand has been working for years on what might be the most sophisticated new aircraft to emerge …well, anywhere among Light-Sport Aircraft but certainly in LSA seaplanes.
May 26, 2021

In about one year, FAA may announce their new regulation for Light-Sport Aircraft.
May 20, 2021

I don’t believe the line about young people ignoring aviation. Maybe we older pilots don’t see enough action at flight schools, but not all flying happens at major flight centers.
May 12, 2021

We continue with further coverage from the first major airshow in almost two years… THANKS to Sun ‘n Fun 2021 for helping present these interesting aircraft and more.
May 9, 2021

Continuing news from Sun ‘n Fun 2021 is rolling in from across the country.
May 1, 2021

Everyone has returned home from the first major airshow in too long (other than the wonderful sector-specific event called Midwest LSA Expo).
April 21, 2021

Usually, aviation journalists attending airshows seek the latest and greatest in aircraft.
April 17, 2021

Perhaps you knew years ago that Brazil was an aviation beehive of activity.
April 16, 2021

Think about this: A Rotax-powered aircraft capable of high-speed cruising at 185 miles an hour?
April 15, 2021

For years I’ve said that of all aircraft to succeed with battery electric flight, the first truly usable, enjoyable aircraft would be a Part 103 ultralight.
April 14, 2021

Pilots heading to Sun ‘n Fun 2021 had no real idea what to expect.
April 13, 2021

Can aviation lead us back toward normal? Globally, governments have ordered their citizens to stay at home and all the rest, as you’ve heard ad naseum.
April 11, 2021

Americans have seen Comco Ikarus‘ C42 before. At least three different importers have represented C42 versions to the U.S.
April 9, 2021

Affordable is a word I often hear as I explore the ever-expanding world of light aircraft.
April 2, 2021

Bulgarian designer Tony Ilieff is on a mission to find new representatives for his handsome light aircraft after concluding earlier representation in Canada.
March 24, 2021

“Nynja lifts off after a ridiculously short ground roll and soars skyward at a precipitously steep angle.
March 16, 2021

You’ve heard some pilot say: “That airplane is so sleek it looks fast even when sitting parked on the ramp.” This is one of those airplanes.
March 10, 2021

Recently I wrote about an American classic, Luscombe’s Model 8 LSA.
March 4, 2021

Welcome our newest entry to the Special LSA fleet: Montaer’s MC01.
February 28, 2021

Of all the airplanes earning rave reviews over the years, one model stands out above most others in the distinction of handling quality.
February 23, 2021

One of the most successful airplane designs of all time is the Quicksilver.
February 17, 2021

Aviation preaches safety long and loud. This dedication within the aviation community has made flying safer than driving despite what landlubbers believe is a risky way to travel.
February 11, 2021

This website promotes a focus on affordable aviation, but the word “affordable” means different things to different people at different times.
February 4, 2021

Everyone knows 2020 was arguably the most unusual year in anyone’s recollection.
January 31, 2021

After nearly a year of precious few such events, trying to plan for airshows you wish to attend in 2021 remains complicated by a variety of factors.
January 21, 2021

In the early 1930s, Sensenich began making propellers …from wood.
January 20, 2021

Excitement surrounding Part 103 Ultralights continues. Considering what a nightmare of a year the entire world has experienced, many find it incredible that 103s are not only surviving, but thriving.
January 14, 2021

UPDATE 1/14/21 — Regretfully, I must announce that DeLand has cancelled its Flyway to Highway event “due to Covid-19.” —DJ After a year of great uncertainty, the earliest airshows of 2021 are feeling the pressure.
January 8, 2021

As work on my Part 103 List continues, I have reached out to producers of the lightest, most affordable airplanes you can buy.
January 5, 2021

Welcome to a New Year! …and to a new airplane, a new Part 103 entry to be specific.
January 1, 2021

Back when Light-Sport Aircraft were still youngsters in aviation (LSA are teenagers now), Ron Corbi imported the Direct Fly Alto 100.
December 23, 2020

When I first reported about — and did videos about — Just Aircraft’s Part 103 entry back in 2017 and 2018, lots of readers got excited.
December 17, 2020

Priced between an RV-7 and RV-14, Whisper is clearly a very similar aircraft but sleekly built of all carbon fiber composites.
December 13, 2020

On an overcast day with mild temperatures, my wife Randee and I hopped in an RV-12 and zipped from Daytona to Lakeland, Florida, home of the famous Sun ‘n Fun campus situated on the south side of the municipal airport.
December 8, 2020

UPDATED (again!) 12/11/20: Still refining the list. —DJ A great many of you read the article about the new Part 103 List.
December 2, 2020

As regular readers know, I promote ByDanJohnson.com as the home of “affordable aviation.” I even own the domain name AffordableAviation.com.
November 24, 2020

Then… In the 1990s, a pair of Canadian aircraft dominated the light aviation market in America’s neighbor to the north.
November 17, 2020

As 2020 nears its end, I have news about the first airshow of the new year.
November 16, 2020

In the earliest Light-Sport Aircraft days, nearly 70% of available models came from Europe.
November 11, 2020

Pilots around the world are aware of Part 103 Ultralights but many have a blurry view of the industry that produces these aircraft.
November 5, 2020

➡️ Update 11/3/20 — A new video interview with Flight Design USA importer Tom Peghiny appears at the bottom of this article.
October 29, 2020

The most popular article of this crazy year — when people have been visiting in record numbers — was about Aeromarine-LSA‘s Merlin Lite.
October 23, 2020

After thousands of articles, I’ve have heard over and over about two common ingredients sought by pilots who visit this website: Affordability and Availability.
October 16, 2020

You can see market numbers for the last quarter in this article — or review all LSA and Sport Pilot kit market info in this dedicated area.
October 13, 2020

By any measure 2020 has been an unusual year. While millions were thrown out of work by lockdowns to prevent the virus from spreading, we all read or hear that plenty of other workers can work from home or have businesses that cannot be restricted by government decrees.
October 8, 2020

Thank goodness for the Midwest LSA Expo. As the one and only airshow (other than some small local gatherings) since Copperstate/Buckeye back in February, Midwest 2020 was a breath of fresh air… literally for those of us who attended (quite a few did).
October 3, 2020

A new engine was debuted at Midwest LSA Expo 2020 for light aircraft from Aeromarine-LSA.
September 25, 2020

Lots of doubters expressed their opinions in the weeks and days before Mt.
September 17, 2020

On the last day of the last airshow of the year — unbelievable as that sounds — I examined a superbly-finished gyroplane that Powered Sport Flying‘s Vickie Betts saw at the Mentone PRA fly-in earlier this year.
September 14, 2020

If you know light, recreational aviation, you simply must know the Quicksilver brand.
September 12, 2020

I saw a lot of smiles at Midwest LSA Expo 2020.
September 11, 2020

Are you looking for an affordably-priced airplane? On this website, you can find many choices of aircraft that qualify, with something to fit the budget of almost any pilot.
September 8, 2020

I hope you can attend 2020’s Midwest LSA Expo — the last airshow in 2020.
September 5, 2020

OK, let me admit right up front that I am something of an “airshow junkie.” I just gotta go.
September 1, 2020

I always enjoy when a new airplane company arrives on the market and sets plans in motion to expand and improve their flying machine.
August 30, 2020

If you flew better than 9,000 hours solely to give trike instruction, you would tend to develop ideas about how an aircraft can better fit the type of flying lessons you want to give.
August 26, 2020

Well, now we know what 2020 holds for airshows. I count three that did or will happen this year, but one of them — the much-anticipated November event, DeLand Sport Aviation Showcase, or DSAS — has now officially been delayed by action of the city leadership, which controls the DeLand airport.
August 22, 2020

Many years ago — back in February 2020 — I attended my last airshow.
August 19, 2020

What a weird season, or non-season, if we think about all the airshows we should be attending …but are not!
August 16, 2020

Although a mirror reflection of the greater global economy, many pilots are stunned that airshow after airshow has fallen to the virus.
August 12, 2020

The end is near! Or, is it? The reference is to the long-running effort to revise the FAA regulation affecting Light-Sport Aircraft.
August 6, 2020

➡️ This article was UPDATED on July 31, 2020 with additional information — see after video… Some pilots love to whirl their wings over their heads.
July 30, 2020

Most ultralight aircraft (officially: “ultralight vehicles”) are rather simple constructions. They must be to stay within the tight constraints of a 254-pound maximum empty weight.* That’s not a negative comment about them.
July 28, 2020

Some pilots are wary of taildraggers. This is hardly surprising since only tricycle-gear aircraft have been used in primary flight instruction dating back into the 1970s.
July 20, 2020

We live in an age of sophisticated two seaters, a large flock of wonderful aircraft of every description.
July 17, 2020

Perhaps it’s too bad the airplane sellers can’t do something similar, but avionics developers have found a way to be Almost-at-Oshkosh and they invite you to join them.
July 13, 2020

Garmin is going to Oshkosh 2020! No, wait, that can’t be.
July 10, 2020

ScaleBirds is not your run-of-the-mill kit aircraft company. In truth, all kit builders are amazing to me.
July 7, 2020

Our fastest-with-the-mostest partner tracks the health and performance of the light aircraft industry and is once again punctual.
July 2, 2020

It’s almost July and any active pilot knows what that means: Oshkosh!
June 29, 2020

You can call modern gyroplanes “wanna-be” helicopters if you want but that might miss a few important points.
June 25, 2020

If you pay any attention to LSA seaplanes, you should already know about Aventura.
June 22, 2020

What on Earth is the world coming to…?! A Cub with a nose wheel?
June 18, 2020

In April, lots of readers were clearly pleased with the “Vintage Ultralights” series.
June 14, 2020

In our strongest month ever, April 2020, our biggest story was about the Swedish Blackwing “Speed Monster.” Pilots almost universally admire a beautiful and fast aircraft.
June 8, 2020

Let me be honest. I’ve built one aircraft in my life.
June 4, 2020

In the last couple months as we’ve all been struggling under the lockdowns happening across the country (and around the world), some of our best-read articles have been about going fast using the most powerful engines.
May 31, 2020

Although airframes may present the look and offer the performance that stimulates an aircraft purchase, engines have long driven development of new airframes.
May 27, 2020

After a number of years with relatively modest rates for aircraft insurance — at least for the more easily insured aircraft and operations — rates have increased, even for experienced pilots with good records.
May 25, 2020

This website stresses affordable aviation and that sometimes generates questions or complaints about the cost of modern Light-Sport Aircraft.
May 20, 2020

Welcome to the newest Special Light-Sport Aircraft …except that it isn’t so new(1).
May 16, 2020

Special LSA seaplane maker, Seamax Aircraft, announced, “This week [we] delivered the first Seamax M-22 aircraft designed with IFR (Instrument Flying Rules) capability.
May 13, 2020

Although Special LSA plus Experimental LSA run neck-and-neck with Sport Pilot eligible kit-built aircraft in U.S.
May 11, 2020

Don’t hate me… I know this short article is not about Light-Sport Aircraft.
May 6, 2020

American are very gracious with their donations to good causes. Charitable giving in the USA exceeded $400 billion in 2018 alone.
May 4, 2020

Can you believe it? No, I am not writing about Oshkosh cancelling their big summer celebration of flight.
May 1, 2020

The need for speed is hard wired into humans, it seems.
April 30, 2020

Our most-read story of 2020 was this breaking report on Blackwing’s assault on the world speed record for the Microlight category.
April 27, 2020

In the rush of coverage of Vintage Ultralights and other late-breaking stories such as the Blackwing speed record, I had to set aside a few news items.
April 26, 2020

Having celebrated the inventiveness of ultralight designer Wayne Ison in the last post, it seems quite appropriate to recognize another, Ernie Carlson.
April 21, 2020

The grand finale to this series on Vintage Ultralights during the month of April 2020 focuses on an airplane that can be very inexpensive if bought used.
April 20, 2020

Five years back at my favorite airshow in Europe — Aero Friedrichshafen — I could not pass the supersleek blue and black low wing from Sweden, my father’s ancestral home.
April 18, 2020

This first year I ever saw Randy Schlitter fly one his models at an airshow seems a hundred years ago.
April 17, 2020

Ah, the Quicksilver! Where to start with this veritable icon of the ultralight sector?
April 15, 2020

The Coronavirus madness is far from being a U.S. problem. Naturally, we tend to focus on our own part of the world …as we must.
April 14, 2020

When the Phantom was introduced to the ultralight market at Sun ‘n Fun in 1982, it won the Best New Design award, not only for good looks and strong performance but for its structural integrity! 
April 13, 2020

The first time I ever saw Lazair fly — a fly-in at the Tullahoma Airport, as I recall — a then-young Peter Corley flew the lightweight aircraft as though he was the pilot of a military fighter of the day.
April 12, 2020

While I continue to worry about the cash crunch faced by two of my favorite shows, I am still driven to provide content as if those shows had occurred this year and not been postponed to 2021.
April 11, 2020

Amazingly enough, here in 2020, we have noticeably returned to our roots in very light aircraft.
April 9, 2020

As we continue with this fourth in a series of ten about very affordable light aircraft from earlier times, we stress again that all the aircraft presented in this series still have some essential qualities that warranted their inclusion.
April 8, 2020

As everyone on the planet knows by now, aviation has nary an airshow in sight.
April 7, 2020

When Fisher was still located where it began, in North Dakota, I paid a visit to the factory.
April 6, 2020

Way back when, long before the birth of the Light-Sport Aircraft segment (in 2004), lots of us flew ultralights.
April 5, 2020

In recent months many light aviation enthusiasts have been asking about progress on FAA’s proposed rewrite of the Light-Sport Aircraft regulations. 
April 3, 2020

A frequent comment I hear is that the price of recreational aircraft are too high.
April 1, 2020

Had not both shows been cancelled or postponed, I would be gearing up for Sun ‘n Fun and Aero Friedrichshafen.
March 26, 2020

Coronavirus or not, departures from the Golden State of California continue unabated.
March 22, 2020

“This, too, shall pass…” said my neighbor, Bill Chernish, who flies for Southwest Airlines.
March 17, 2020

Delay, postpone, or cancel — that seems to be the question organizers of events faced in the current pandemic scare.
March 16, 2020

Update: April 2020 — Faced with a difficult decision and under enormous pressure, Sun ‘n Fun organizers changed plans and have now rescheduled the event for April 13-18, 2021.
March 13, 2020

That was several hours of my life I will never get back — booking airline, rental car, and a series of hotel rooms… and then cancelling all of them! 
March 6, 2020

How does one LSA brand rise and stay above others? Many reasons can be introduced; all possibly valid.
February 29, 2020

If you like airplane statistics and facts, this article may interest you.
February 19, 2020

Update 2/17/20 — From a commenter whose handle is “Concerned Citizen” on Videoman Dave’s YouTube channel comes this update on Mike’s flight home:  “Mike left Copperstate Sunday morning and made three legs, stopping in Blythe, Bermuda Dunes, then Banning due to severe winds and rain.
February 10, 2020

Copperstate is proving to be as valuable for the collection of Video Pilot Reports as Midwest and DeLand.
February 9, 2020

One of the reasons why Videoman Dave and I attend smaller events is because we can do a particular kind of work while visiting: Video Pilot Reports.
February 8, 2020

Copperstate is officially the show that starts off the new aviation year these days.
February 7, 2020

It started with a seemingly simple product. Since long before recreational aircraft arrived, the invention that launched the Rotax brand was a “rotary axle,” a freewheeling hub that advanced the then-state-of-the-art in bicycles.
February 1, 2020

Welcome to the two-seat Sherwood Scout. We previously presented Sherwood’s single-place Kub.
January 24, 2020

We have a new year upon us. With our new reporting capabilities for LSA and SP kit market shares, we can now quickly report results from 2019.
January 15, 2020

How about this for a great way to start off the new year — a brand-new airplane?
January 9, 2020

As we kick off a new year and a new decade, it feels like the starter’s timer has just been clicked into action.
January 2, 2020

The last airshow (DeLand) is over. Recreational aircraft across the snow belt are secured in their hangars.
December 25, 2019

In case I don’t get another post up before (gosh, this is a busy time of year, isn’t it?)… let me wish all visitors and viewers a very warm and wonderful holiday.
December 13, 2019

As we rush toward the Christmas holiday period and get excited about a new season of flying (after a few more weeks of snow and ice), we have some news to report.
December 4, 2019

When your product fits a small space in the instrument panel, how do you show off such a small product in a more visible way at airshows.
December 2, 2019

“The DeLand Sport Aviation Showcase (DSAS), conducted from November 14-16, 2019 at the DeLand Municipal Airport in Florida, has completed a careful look at ticket sales, gate receipts, exhibitor numbers and other data… and is happy to report that the 2019 Showcase eclipsed the 2018 attendance by over 20%,” reported lead organizer, Jana Filip.
November 28, 2019

Saturday was the final day of the last airshow of 2019.
November 21, 2019

As readers of ByDanJohnson.com know, we enjoy keeping a tight (though not exclusive) focus on the aircraft we love to fly.
November 16, 2019

Opening day at DeLand Showcase 2019 got off to a solid start.
November 15, 2019

As snow swirls in the air and piles up on the ground in the northern latitudes, perhaps it’s a good time to think of Florida… specifically, DeLand, Florida.
November 13, 2019

In about one week, it all ends. Before then, DeLand Showcase 2019 is set to begin!
November 7, 2019

You know Aircraft Spruce. So do all your flying buddies.
November 3, 2019

For years, more than a decade, the U.S. gyroplane producer community tried to persuade FAA to allow fully built Special Light-Sport Aircraft gyroplanes into the USA.
October 24, 2019

In mid-October, FAA provided another update to the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association.
October 17, 2019

This website seeks to offer a reliable source of market information for Light-Sport Aircraft and Sport Pilot kit aircraft as a service to the light aircraft sector.
October 9, 2019

Sustained interest in Cub-types has long amazed many of us. About the only airplane that routinely seems to inspire even more passion may be the North American P-51 Mustang.
October 2, 2019

Welcome to the newest Special Light-Sport Aircraft, the recently unveiled (at Oshkosh 2019) Texas Aircraft Manufacturing Colt 100.
September 25, 2019

It’s big. It’s bold. It’s beautiful. It’s loaded with snazzy custom features.
September 20, 2019

Colt 100 from Texas Aircraft Manufacturing based in Hondo, Texas is a Brazilian Light-Sport Aircraft design.
September 15, 2019

You know you have a great job when… you get to fly a brand new Light-Sport Aircraft on a bright, beautiful, blue sky day at a Sport Pilot-friendly airport.
September 15, 2019

What a great day to start off the Midwest LSA Expo!
September 6, 2019

Evolution Trikes celebrated their 10th anniversary at Sun ‘n Fun 2019.
September 4, 2019

While occupied on some travel, I am pleased to provide a pilot report on a Part 103-type from across the Atlantic in the United Kingdom.
August 27, 2019

One of our most popular articles of 2019 involves FAA’s plans for refreshed regulation.
August 20, 2019

If you are an ultralight enthusiast (as I certainly am!), then you are probably celebrating with me as FX1 joins the Special LSA fleet — which it does as Number 150 on our popular SLSA List.
August 11, 2019

The weeklong celebration of flight known around the planet as “Oshkosh” is now history.
August 8, 2019

For more than 15 years one class of Light-Sport Aircraft has been held down in America even while it has been burgeoning in other parts of the world.
July 27, 2019

Welcome to the newest Special Light-Sport Aircraft, entering our popular SLSA List at number 149.
July 26, 2019

Once we had Avid Flyer. It begat Kitfox, which begat many models before returning to the starting point by creating a Part 103 ultralight vehicle* called Kitfox Lite …what else?
July 25, 2019

After impressing European pilots at the big German show called Aero Friedrichshafen, producer InnovAviation brought their sleek and sexy FX1 for Americans to see at Oshkosh 2019.
July 24, 2019

Cruising the grounds at Oshkosh, looking for aircraft to report, I looked around the all-new Homebuilt Area.
July 23, 2019

Sometimes a new Light-Sport Aircraft producer bursts on the scene in dramatic ways.
July 22, 2019

Many have asked about progress on FAA’s proposed rewrite of the Light-Sport Aircraft regulations. 
July 19, 2019

Happening right now as this is written …a young pilot, with impressive support from his father and sister, is flying to Oshkosh.
July 17, 2019

Price matters. While pilots enjoy a huge range in aircraft types, capabilities, descriptions, and price points, the fact remains that some aircraft will always be too expensive for some buyers.
July 15, 2019

From Brazil comes a new Hero, an aircraft most Americans have never seen.
July 9, 2019

For years, I have been interviewing suppliers of Light-Sport Aircraft about how functional and durable their SLSA are for flight training.
July 2, 2019

Every year, the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association asks industry professionals to nominate a deserving person to receive the LAMA President’s Award.
June 26, 2019

Super affordability. Super Wonder. “Super?“ — surely, I exaggerate, right? Hmmm, I don’t think so.
June 23, 2019

Once upon a time in the then-new world of Light-Sport Aircraft Flight Design lead the pack for airplanes delivered and registered.
June 13, 2019

A funny thing happened on our way to quarterly reporting of LSA and Sport Pilot kit market shares.
June 8, 2019

Most pilots love a fast-looking aircraft that looks as good on the ramp as it does in the air?
June 4, 2019

News about Sebring Expo’s shutdown captivated readers of this website. Other media outlets also picked up on the news.
June 2, 2019

“It’s a wrap” as the iconic LSA show called Sebring Expo (full name Sebring U.S.
May 30, 2019

I regularly attend Aero Friedrichshafen every April certain I will see aircraft I’ve never seen before — but also because I will see upgrades to existing popular models.
May 22, 2019

One of the controversies surrounding Light-Sport Aircraft has to do with that first word: “light.” Early on, one aircraft importer lobbied to remove the word as it was negatively viewed, he believed.
May 15, 2019

Could 2020 bring a new description of aircraft under the LSA banner?
May 9, 2019

After the rush of daily reporting from Sun ‘n Fun 2019 and Aero Friedrichshafen 2019 and after a short break following these wonderful, if intensely busy, shows — it’s slightly past due to wish this website a Happy 15th Anniversary!
April 26, 2019

Aero Friedrichshafen is over. At the beginning, show organizers said it was their biggest yet, measured by the number of exhibitors.
April 16, 2019

More from Aero as Day 3 closes. Because of the number on display — and because several readers asked — this post will focus on electric propulsion in two distinct forms.
April 13, 2019

Aero Friedrichshafen continues, delivering a broad preview of new aircraft projects plus a glimpse into light aviation in Europe.
April 11, 2019

Jetting straight from Sun ‘n Fun, we were able to arrive at Aero Friedrichshafen by noon on opening day.
April 10, 2019

Sun ‘n Fun is over. While staff, tent vendors and more have plenty of work to do, customers and vendors have all vacated the area, scattering off across the USA as they return to base.
April 9, 2019

Sun ‘n Fun streaks on with Blue Angels and Stearmans cracking the air.
April 6, 2019

You wanna go fast? Of course you do. What pilot doesn’t want to go fast?
April 4, 2019

Seaplane flying is a specialty within aviation but it is one that has steady appeal and develops passionate aviators.
April 3, 2019

Videoman Dave and I never left Paradise City’s exhibits in our first day of video interviews.
April 2, 2019

What’s new at Sun ‘n Fun 2019? Again, as I’ve observed for previous airshows, it appears impossible for all exhibitors to be ready by gates-open tomorrow, Tuesday April 2nd, 2019.
April 1, 2019

Most Americans know the childhood story about the “Little Engine that Could,” a tale of determination, working against long odds and succeeding despite them.
March 31, 2019

This Just In! Follow the Sling TSi LIVE tomorrow, Sunday March 31st, 2019, as the new model flies this route: KTOA – KLAL (Coast to Coast) • Torrance, California to Lakeland, Florida, a distance of 1,900 nautical miles Intended Departure: Sunday at 4 AM Pacific • Landing Florida before 7 PM Eastern in a flight forecast to take “under 12 hours” at a predicted speed of 160 knots (184 mph), at altitude.
March 30, 2019

Let me admit right up front: I am a big fan of AirCam.
March 29, 2019

A few years ago, I visited Continental Motors in Mobile Alabama on the Gulf coast of the southern U.S.
March 28, 2019

This year celebrates 15 years of Light-Sport Aircraft and its companion pilot certificate, Sport Pilot.
March 22, 2019

In late February, Texas Aircraft invited me to an unveiling ceremony.
March 18, 2019

Something old. Something new. Hang glider pilots I know are very familiar with Horten designs, a form of validation for modern hang gliders …flying wings, aircraft with no tail or fuselage structures.
March 13, 2019

“You just saved my life!” It’s not often anyone, even a medical doctor, hears those words.
March 11, 2019

Light-Sport Aircraft have accomplished much in the 15 years this new class of aircraft have existed: • Lower purchase cost — with choices spread over a wide variety of aircraft.
March 10, 2019

We again have the pleasure of a flight review from British aviation journalist, Dave Unwin.
March 4, 2019

“We are Arizona’s newest aircraft manufacturer,” said Garrett Komm when we finally located him and his bright blue and silver aircraft.
February 22, 2019

At a major show in China called Zhuhai visitors saw something: a new 6-axis LSA flight simulator.
February 13, 2019

On Day 3 of Copperstate at the Buckeye Air Fair, crowds were again strong and the skies gradually cleared for another day of flying in the smoothest air I’ve felt in some time.
February 11, 2019

I have to admit my pleasant surprise. This tie-up of Copperstate and Buckeye Air Fair might be exactly what is needed to generate a major show in the Southwestern USA.
February 9, 2019

The Copperstate airshow is on in Arizona! Put on by a new combination of Copperstate leadership in cooperation with the town of Buckeye Arizona — which has been hosting its own Buckeye Air Fair — the new event is off and running in its new time slot of early February.
February 9, 2019

“I knew we had all the pictures we needed but I was having a blast and just wanted to keep flying Minifox,” wrote British aviation writer, Dave Unwin.
February 8, 2019

At the recently concluded Sebring Sport Aviation Expo, I heard from a number of pilots and vendors about this website publishing fresh market share data.
February 4, 2019

Aircraft Insurance is one of those things pilots need. You want to protect yourself, your aircraft investment, and anyone who may be affected by the operation of your aircraft.
February 1, 2019

You own an airplane — or you are considering buying one.
February 1, 2019

The final day of the Sebring U.S. Sport Aviation Expo brought good flying conditions until mid-afternoon when light precipitation returned.
January 27, 2019

As Day Three arrived, blue skies returned to Sebring after a damp start on Day Two and with them came the best crowds of pilots and companions of any day so far …by far.
January 25, 2019

“Duck and cover” was a phrase to describe the morning on Thursday, Day Two at Sebring.
January 25, 2019

Sebring Day One was true to form for the 15th running of this grandaddy of Light-Sport and Sport Pilot Kit shows.
January 23, 2019

Sebring Sport Aviation Expo 2019 — I’m here. Where are you?
January 23, 2019

As a new season of flying is upon us (even while northern pilots may still be still shoveling snow), one company continues their vigorous comeback.
January 21, 2019

Update 1/15/19: Thanks to reader feedback — a resource we value very highly — we have updated our statistics to correct another naming challenging.
January 14, 2019

If you like Light-Sport Aircraft and if you like statistics, you are going to love this article.* Our wholly refreshed look at aircraft registrations marks the return of our popular market share rankings and now includes much more information.
January 7, 2019

Throughout the 115 years since the Wrights took their Flyer into the skies for the first time, aviation has enjoyed remarkable progress.
December 29, 2018

As pilots clear the skies so Santa and his flying reindeer can go about their mission, it seems fitting to offer a word of thanks to all of you who have frequently visited this website.
December 25, 2018

UPDATE 30 Dec 2018 — Sad news about a crash of one of the Handiflight aircraft with the loss of one of the pilots.
December 23, 2018

UPDATE 12/20/18 — Video added regarding the second book below. See at bottom of post… Unlike most aviation outlets, I’ve refrained from putting out a Christmas gift guide for pilots.
December 18, 2018

When Rotax debuted their new 915iS engine at an Oshkosh press conference, Sling designer Mike Blyth raced forward at the end of the conference to closely examine the new power plant.
December 12, 2018

One year ago, I was touring around China thanks to my good friends at AeroJones, the China-based manufacturer of the popular CTLS for the Asia-Pacific region.
December 5, 2018

Continental Motors, part of China’s Avic International Holding, announced recently that they have entered a strategic partnership with Liaoning Cub Aircraft Corp to be the engine provider for the Top Cub, which the company said is the first kit aircraft built in China, for the Chinese market.
December 5, 2018

Imagine you are in charge of marketing for French propeller manufacturer, Duc Hélices.
November 29, 2018

Since shortly after ByDanJohnson.com went live (on April Fool’s Day 2004, just a few months before the LSA rule was released), one regular website feature has earned positive reviews.
November 21, 2018

DeLand proclaimed another success for 2018. As one of the “troops in the trench,” I can attest to a satisfactory event, as I chronicled in Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3 articles.
November 16, 2018

At the season ending DeLand Showcase show, Flight Design was ably represented by John Hurst.
November 14, 2018

DeLand Showcase 2018 is over, which signals the airshow season is over for this calendar year.
November 4, 2018

At a reception ending Day Two, DeLand Showcase Director Jana Filip reported that front gate receipts were greater on Thursday than either Thursday of the two prior years of the Showcase.
November 2, 2018

Day One of the third running of DeLand Showcase is complete.
November 2, 2018

The end of the year is approaching. We just wrapped Halloween and now begin the headlong rush into the holiday season.
November 1, 2018

In mere days now, DeLand Showcase starts. The new event closes out the year’s shows.
October 27, 2018

A popular American childhood story called “The Little Engine that Could” relates to this article.
October 21, 2018

This week kicks off the truly gigantic trade show known by its sponsoring organization’s abbreviation: NBAA, or in common lingo, “Enn, Bee, Double A.” While not taking up the extensive terra firms of Oshkosh, NBAA actually has more paying exhibitors.
October 16, 2018

An article from last weekend’s news about a massive jump in LSA weight propelled this website to an all-time record as light aviation enthusiasts from around the nation and the globe signed on to make comments and shared the article with their friends.
October 10, 2018

This weekend a firestorm erupted out of the blue. A wave of questions is ringing my phone, piling up text messages, and populating my social media accounts.
October 8, 2018

Have you noticed how much LSA seaplanes pop up on this website and all over the web and print world?
October 7, 2018

So far, at least three entries* in the multicopter sweepstakes qualify themselves as Part 103 ultralight vehicles. 
October 2, 2018

FAA’s Light-Sport Aircraft category involves quite the intriguing mixture of aircraft.
September 29, 2018

Updated September 26, 2018 — This article has been updated to include more producers.
September 24, 2018

This article has been updated with a new image; a minor correction was made.
September 20, 2018

While weather starts to cool in the northern USA, in the sub-tropical south, it is still warm enough to enjoy float flying.
September 16, 2018

This article was updated with additional photos; see at bottom. Midwest LSA Expo held a special ceremony to honor two men in their donation of a beautiful LSA-like aircraft now permanently displayed on an striking pedestal near the airport entrance.
September 8, 2018

Many pilots expect the first appearance of a new model at the biggest airshows, but here’s one of those times when the sector-specific shows win.
September 6, 2018

The biggest airshows in recreational aviation are history for 2018. I refer to Sun ‘n Fun, EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, and Europe’s Aero Friedrichshafen.
September 5, 2018

Building kits for homebuilders and assembling fully built aircraft are two very distinct business models.
September 3, 2018

Perhaps not every pilot needs for aircraft to be affordable but a great many do.
September 2, 2018

One essential visit at AirVenture Oshkosh 2018 was to the Quad City booth in the Fun Fly Zone.
August 23, 2018

Things are looking up for Light-Sport Aircraft, rather fantastically so in my admittedly biased opinion.
August 17, 2018

One aircraft at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh really caught my eye. OK, truth be told, dozens of aircraft caught my eye but this shiny example seemed to be looking back at me.
August 15, 2018

The LSA seaplane sector is one of the most intriguing areas of the diverse Light-Sport space.
August 14, 2018

UPDATE: Video on Ranger at bottom… Often at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh we see improved models among vast displays of showplanes.
August 10, 2018

For your enjoyment, here is arguably the most unique airplane I found on the grounds of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2018 …and with around 3,000 show planes, that is truly saying something.
August 5, 2018

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2018 is now history. You will be reading and seeing lots more about the big summer celebration of flight — it appeared very strong to most observers — and you will see lots more from OSH ’18 here and on Videoman Dave’s popular YouTube channel.
July 31, 2018

You have more privileges than you may know with your Light-Sport Aircraft.
July 28, 2018

Maybe you never flew a floatplane or seaplane (the latter implying a hull).
July 27, 2018

A new-to-Americans Light-Sport Aircraft made its debut showing at AirVenture 2018.
July 26, 2018

CGS Hawk is one of our most storied brands of ultralight and light aircraft.
July 24, 2018

On my first day on Wittman Field here in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, we took the privilege to drive around the grounds and capture video scenes as hundreds of exhibitors arrive and set up their displays.
July 23, 2018

This article has been updated… Technology company TQ Group established a reputation for high quality engineering and precision products.
July 20, 2018

This article again delves into the changing face of aviation and in this case within the Part 103 Ultralight Vehicle sector.
July 15, 2018

In the fascinating LSA seaplane sector-within-a-sector, we find both good news and bad news today, though the latter can be overcome.
July 7, 2018

In the world of Light-Sport Aircraft, we have more than 90 manufacturers and 145 Special LSA (see our whole list) accepted* by FAA.
July 6, 2018

After Aero 2016, we enthusiastically reported on the Zlin Shock Outback (as it is known to Americans; Shock Cub to other countries).
July 1, 2018

Many pilots who first set eyes on the SW51, a precisely faithful 70%-scale imitation of the famous North American Aviation P-51 Mustang managed to utter a single word: “WOW!” Can you blame them?
June 24, 2018

At the Rotax event for journalists allowing reporters like me to fly their new 915 engine (more about that and a 915 review here), I met Guy Leitch, publisher of SA (South Africa) Flyer aviation magazine.
June 17, 2018

Years ago, back in the late 1990s, I flew an aircraft called JetFox 97.
June 15, 2018

Early in June, John Monnett spoke about stepping down from Sonex Aircraft, the kit manufacturer he founded and has lead for decades.
June 11, 2018

The big Italian company that LSA enthusiasts know very well through models such as P92, Sierra, and P2008 has a large and growing presence in global aviation.
June 6, 2018

BRM Aero boss and chief design, Milan Bristela, has convincingly proven his visionary credentials.
June 2, 2018

UPDATE (5/28/18): Since this article was published, we’ve added our video interview from Aero 2018.
May 27, 2018

Brian Austein did it again! He drew big crowds and head-shakes of amazement at what he has created for — get this — a mere $3,000.
May 23, 2018

For the second year in a row, I was blown away with Lightning Bug.
May 23, 2018

For three years at Aero Friedrichshafen, the wonderful April show in the south of Germany, I have admired one genuine ultralight called Swan.
May 20, 2018

Dogs in the Cockpit? A few years ago, various stories began to pop in mainstream media discussing the car industry’s newest focus …no, not only on how many cup holders they could install in your new ride — but instead on accommodations for pets, mainly dogs.
May 19, 2018

Sun ‘n Fun 2018 ended a great event on Sunday.
May 13, 2018

What on Earth is going on in Airplane DesignerLand? Are we headed for a bifurcation, a parting of the ways among those engineering the next generation of aircraft?
May 8, 2018

Two years ago at my favorite European airshow, Aero Friedrichshafen, Bill Canino of Sportair USA urged me to go look at a cool Part 103 project.
April 30, 2018

April has been busy… starting with a week of Sun ‘n Fun; then a gathering of LSA seaplanes at my home airport the day after; followed by three days of Aero Friedrichshafen in Germany (it runs four days but I had to miss the first); concluding with a journalists-only event at Rotax Aircraft Engines.
April 26, 2018

Yes, yes, I know — in-flight adjustable props are not permitted on U.S.
April 25, 2018

Immediately following Sun ‘n Fun 2018 is Aero 2018.
April 19, 2018

Sun ‘n Fun 2018 is done. The show actually closed early at about 1 PM due to forecasts of severe weather.
April 15, 2018

When most pilots think of imports, they assume a foreign manufacturer builds an aircraft in another country, finds a U.S.
April 14, 2018

On a single day of recording several videos at Sun ‘n Fun 2018, Videoman Dave and I came across two light kit aircraft designs operating as STOL — Short Take Off and Landing — aircraft.
April 13, 2018

After a damp opening day, the sun returned on day #2 at Sun ‘n Fun 2018.
April 12, 2018

Day One of Sun ‘n Fun got off to a solid start even if a number of light aircraft arrivals are still pending.
April 11, 2018

After earlier news about the change of representation for Jabiru aircraft, a fresh announcement was made as Sun ‘n Fun 2018 was about to start.
April 10, 2018

One bone of contention among LSA sellers is that legacy flight schools — the sort that typically uses Cessna or Piper trainers — sometimes disregard LSA as trainer aircraft.
April 9, 2018

Let me be clear. I have no issue with sharks in the sea.
April 7, 2018

Besides LSA seaplanes, one area of furious development (and sales) is gyroplanes, the term modern industry prefers to “gyrocopter,” which was actually a branded name used since the days of Igor Benson.
April 5, 2018

After you finish Easter Sunday dinner with the family, how about going out for a spin on your new Scorpion 3 Hoverbike?
April 1, 2018

The newest SLSA on our List is a weight-shift control aircraft from Evolution Trikes, the folks who put the trike world on a pedestal with their remarkably deluxe and superbly finished Revo (see our Video Pilot Report of Revo and Part 2).
March 31, 2018

Today I got a good look at the new Aventura S-17 built in DeLand, Florida — also home of the Aerolite 103 and the DeLand Showcase …plus a large volume of sky diving.
March 30, 2018

Scott Severen is an old friend and a longtime veteran of the light aircraft business.
March 25, 2018

Recently I had an exchange with Australian Flying magazine editor, Steve Hitchen.
March 21, 2018

Since I saw what had to be Randy Schlitter’s first appearance at Sun ‘n Fun, and since he is celebrating the 35th anniversary of the first flight of his S3 single-place Coyote I …well, we’ve been in this game for a good amount of time.
March 17, 2018

For most years of Light-Sport Aircraft one aircraft model convincingly lead the parade.
March 14, 2018

The aviation industry — led by a flock of alphabet member organizations — is clinking champagne glasses over the “defeat” of ATC Privatization.
March 10, 2018

Because we promote this website as focused on “affordable aviation,” one of our favorite companies is Sonex.
March 6, 2018

As the 2018 flying season launches, a long-awaited powerplant from Rotax Aircraft Engines is beginning to arrive in the USA and to be shipped on to customers for installation.
March 1, 2018

From Washington State arrives a fresh, new airplane created from scratch to enter the Special LSA space.
March 1, 2018

Forever, Evektor will remain the very first Special Light-Sport Aircraft approved by the FAA, beating Flight Design’s CT series by a small margin.
February 27, 2018

The great spring airshow everyone knows as Sun ‘n Fun starts in about six weeks.
February 25, 2018

While I doubt airliner behemoths Boeing or Airbus are aiming to create aircraft you might buy, their work along with other developers, may nonetheless lead to something new in the future for recreational aircraft pilots and buyers.
February 18, 2018

One word can make a huge difference. This unassailable logic was recently put forth by Michael Coates of Australia regarding the LSA regulation. 
February 16, 2018

We started a few shows back doing a drive-by shooting (except in a good way).
February 13, 2018

Let’s be clear. Boeing, Airbus, Google, Amazon, and other immensely deep pockets are not seeking to build fun flying machines for you and me.
February 12, 2018

Special deals are unusual in aviation, an industry of hand-built flying machines sold in modest quantities.
February 9, 2018

Sebastien Heintz of Zenith Aircraft in Mexico, Missouri is one of the more vigorous promoters in light aviation.
February 6, 2018

Is your aviation horizon is getting confused by quadcopters, electric aircraft, and airliners?
February 5, 2018

After a busy week at Sebring — a show that exceeded my expectations …and probably also for several vendors who logged sales to kick off the year in a great way — I have a couple alternative messages for readers.
February 2, 2018

The fourteenth running of the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo is history and if this is how the rest of the year goes, I predict a stronger year for LSA sales.
January 28, 2018

Day two of the year’s first show, Sebring was a bit cooler and windier but still a fine day as the photos show.
January 26, 2018

For all who could not attend, our title forms a common question.
January 24, 2018

Along with many others, I’m sure, I’m presently en route from Daytona Beach to Sebring, Florida as the 2018 or 14th running of the U.S.
January 23, 2018

Two years ago, Flight Design was the number one producer of Light-Sport Aircraft in the USA backed by strong sales in other countries.
January 22, 2018

This website was born in 2004 after a few years of laboriously uploading a large number of written pilot reports that had appeared in aviation print magazines over the years before.
January 17, 2018

As the world appears to shift into overdrive about electric cars, planes, and drones, what is happening in this dynamic, unfolding sector in aviation?
January 16, 2018

In December 2017, South Korea’s Vessel Co. won what was described as “safety certification” from the Transport Ministry for their new two-seat light aircraft called KLA-100.
January 7, 2018

Amazingly, “Holy Batcopter!” was not one of the 368 different “Holy…” exclamations uttered by the Robin character in the 1960s TV series.
January 6, 2018

Here in Florida, home to ByDanJohnson.com, we take hurricanes very seriously.
January 4, 2018

When I first saw this news story I thought it was one we reported earlier involving a similar aircraft and parachute.
January 3, 2018

I don’t really know when the Leon family sleeps. They must, of course, but their steady output of high-quality, reasonably-priced products that pilots need must make for many long workdays.
December 31, 2017

My guess is most readers do not care particularly about recreational aviation or sport flying in China.
December 24, 2017

What a great Christmas present for the Rotax Aircraft Engine team members (lower photo).
December 23, 2017

Continental Motors powerplants are manufactured in Mobile, Alabama, which is now also home to an assembly plant for Airbus airlines.
December 15, 2017

For many years the brand name Jabiru — both airframes and engines — has been associated with Pete Krotje and his family and other team members, doing business as Jabiru North America.
December 11, 2017

Recently, a couple major benchmarks were reached by some of our important brand names.
December 5, 2017

Sometimes I am told I have the best job in the world.
December 3, 2017

Years ago, back in the early days of the Light-Sport Aircraft sector exploding into the world of aviation, of affordable aviation, one of the early entries was SeaMax, from a Brazilian-based company called AirMax.
November 25, 2017

When Rotax moved their 912 iS Sport project from engineering to production, the big Austrian engine manufacturer elevated their already-immensely-popular 9-series engines to a higher level.
November 17, 2017

If you did not get to DeLand Showcase 2017, the second running of this new LSA, light kit aircraft, and ultralight show, we’ve given coverage with more to follow, but you might really like the quick view of most aircraft on exhibit at the event just concluded.
November 14, 2017

The second year of the DeLand Showcase is over.
November 12, 2017

[from a talk given at DeLand Showcase 2017…] After more than 13 years of LSA, I believe the industry can stand tall and proud… Even with more than 140 attractive, innovative, and roomy LSA of every description, much of what makes LSA a strong and worthy addition to aviation is less obvious to many.
November 10, 2017

We spent the first day of the second year of this event zooming around DeLand Showcase 2017 shooting several videos for you and I have a sample MiniVideo for you to view.
November 2, 2017

My video partner must be working around the clock as he prepared a blizzard of videos for release starting November 1st.
October 30, 2017

In the world of kit aircraft a few companies stand out for having delivered many kits that have launched into the air.
October 22, 2017

Every pilot I know… every aviation organization… every aviation government official… all acknowledge the same requirement for the future of aviation.
October 18, 2017

Are you a YouTube fan? I don’t mean the company or its owner Google/Alphabet (which has removed videos for reasons only a YouTube censor could comprehend).
October 9, 2017

Given a successful Midwest LSA Expo, you could say the “LSA show season” is underway.
October 7, 2017

A good friend in aviation journalism and Editor-in-Chief of Plane & Pilot magazine is Robert Goyer.
September 28, 2017

It’s over …yet it’s just begun. I refer to the Midwest LSA Expo, which, you might say, kicks off the LSA show season including light kits and ultralights in addition to LSA.
September 26, 2017

America’s neighbor to the north is USA’s largest trading partner …yes, bigger than China, or any other single country.
September 20, 2017

When I started this website back in 2004, even before Light-Sport Aircraft officially arrived on the aviation scene, I began by uploading hundreds of pilot reports that had appeared in various aviation magazines.
September 19, 2017

Article Updated: 9/18/17 (see below) Electric airplanes continue to catch the headlines… but don’t impact the market much (yet).
September 17, 2017

“Oshkosh is all about airplanes, right?” asked The Airplane Factory USA‘s Jean d’Assonville. 
September 12, 2017

In a eNewsletter to what they call “Breezerians,” the German company with the same name as their model reported a festive debut to their newest model called Breezer Sport.
September 9, 2017

Article updated… Stuck as I am in Florida preparing for the onslaught of Hurricane Irma… with great regret, I am missing for the first time the Midwest LSA Expo in Mount Vernon, Illinois (about an hour east of St.
September 7, 2017

Belite entrepreneur James Weibe has successfully used his tech industry background to raise interest for his latest project, this time his first two seater called Chipper.
September 6, 2017

“What on Earth is that?” asked plenty of people at Sun ‘n Fun 2017.
September 3, 2017

As we work on PlaneFinder 2.0, our one-of-a-kind method to help pilots find the best Light-Sport Aircraft — watch for it in a few more days — we have another list-in-waiting.
August 30, 2017

I believe you should applaud Milan Bristela. Now a veteran of the Light-Sport Aircraft sector, he has steadily built a successful aircraft manufacturing enterprise — BRM Aero — that recently rolled out Bristell #300.
August 29, 2017

L600 — known as Legend 540 or 600 in Europe — is a new arrival in America, although this high wing LSA is known in Europe for a few years.
August 29, 2017

We reported on FX1 shortly after it began flight trials in the hands of American light aviation expert John Hunter.
August 24, 2017

Before America becomes completely consumed with Eclipse Viewing Fever, you might want to pull your (solar filter-protected) eyes away from the soon-to-darken sky to catch a few glimpses of intriguing aircraft from EAA’s summer celebration of flight.
August 20, 2017

“Coming to America” is a common refrain from light aircraft producers in some countries.
August 17, 2017

Update 8/17/17: See our video interview at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2017 on this aircraft (at bottom).
August 15, 2017

Icon Aircraft CEO Kirk Hawkins shared a computer depiction of events leading to the crash of an A5 flown by factory chief pilot, Jon Karkow.
August 10, 2017

If you know the Part 103 category of the FAA regulations, you know these are the lightest aircraft in aviation (that is, man-carrying aircraft; drones excepted).* After years of disappearing, Part 103 entries have come back more recently and at AirVenture Oshkosh 2017, we saw another.
August 8, 2017

After more than a year, a resolution was reached for the airplane that topped the charts in the LSA space since Day One.
August 2, 2017

Now that we are in the middle of winter, activity is brisk.
July 23, 2017

If you seek affordable aircraft (like most readers), then you already know Sonex Aircraft.
July 18, 2017

Join Dan Johnson as he takes a factory tour of Sonex Aircraft with General Manager Mark Schaible.
July 18, 2017

One of the stalwarts of the light aircraft sector is Kitfox, a brand known widely around the globe. 
July 18, 2017

You may not know this Dragonfly airplane but I do. Very well.
July 18, 2017

I readily admit I find Arion’s Lightning LS-1 (the Special LSA model designation) one of the most handsome in the Light-Sport fleet …which is saying something as we enjoy dozens and dozens of quite beautiful aircraft in this sector.
July 14, 2017

When summer rolls around and the sweat rolls off, it’s a perfect time to think about float flying.
July 13, 2017

A key phrase for this website is “Affordable Aviation” (in fact, we bought AffordableAviation.com for future use).
July 10, 2017

Seamax will join Embry-Riddle Research Park’s Customized Business Acceleration Program, the aeronautical university based in Daytona Beach announced on July 3rd, 2017.
July 6, 2017

In a familiar theme, a Chinese company has acquired an American aircraft company.
July 5, 2017

Let’s say you are flying on a wonderful cross country trip.
July 1, 2017

Let’s make an important point right up front. Seaplanes cost more than land planes.
June 28, 2017

For many homebuilders, the process goes like this: You get and assemble the airframe and its control surfaces.
June 28, 2017

­Aerotrek has steadily risen from an unknown brand to the #9 position in the all-time-fleet market share.
June 24, 2017

Beringer Aero USA announced an expansion of the French company’s U.S.
June 20, 2017

Update: Unknown at the time this article was posted, Viking Aircraft Engines reports it provides the powerplant for SureFly.
June 19, 2017

If you live in France or are traveling to the country (soon!), you might want to join the party… the DUC Propellers party, that is.
June 18, 2017

SeaMax from Brazil has been somewhat absent in recent years.
June 15, 2017

One of the big hopes of the global aviation community — besides the shared wish for more young people to take up flying — is that Chinese interest in aviation grows.
June 10, 2017

Sonex made a splash earlier when they announced their “B Models” for the Sonex and Waiex.
June 4, 2017

Adam Yang, the CEO of Progressive Aerodyne, resigned from the CEO position on May 18, 2017 and is handing the position to his successor, Geoff Nicholson.
June 3, 2017

Flying light aircraft to Cuba seems to be a kind of new normal.
June 1, 2017

This article has been modified since originally posted. —DJ These days you can go to Cuba.
May 28, 2017

CubCrafters now leads the field for Special LSA (see this report to learn more) thanks significantly to their early installation of the 180 horsepower Titan engine.
May 26, 2017

Just Aircraft turns heads everywhere when they first introduced the SuperSTOL (STOL stands for short takeoff and landing).
May 26, 2017

Wind blows across the dunes here in Nags Head in a way that first drew the Wright Brothers 114 years ago.
May 20, 2017

AirMax SeaMax — Icon A5 — Vickers Wave — MVP — Lisa Akoya… you only need look at the best promoted brands to see that arguably the most innovative ideas in light aircraft are coming from the LSA seaplane sector.
May 19, 2017

Normally we elect not to delve into accidents on ByDanJohnson.com but where it can be instructive and when readers are keen to learn more — and when we have direct information — discussing such matters can be useful.
May 16, 2017

Does any aviator in the country not know the name Aircraft Spruce?
May 15, 2017

The Marana Regional Airport, in Marana Arizona was the site of the first annual U.S.
May 11, 2017

In the late ’90s, an earlier iteration of Remos Aircraft delivered their first aircraft, a G-3 Mirage, originally designed by the very talented Lorenz Kreitmeyer.
May 8, 2017

Surely all readers know that Rotax-brand engines dominate the light aircraft landscape.
May 6, 2017

A dozen years after FAA created aviation’s newest sector, we have a new leader among manufacturers of fully built Light-Sport Aircraft.
May 1, 2017

April 2017 logged 12 years of Light-Sport Aircraft. The FAA regulation creating the category was introduced in 2004 but it was at Sun ‘n Fun 2005 that the agency presented Evektor SportStar and the Flight Design CT the first and second Special Airworthiness certificates.
April 29, 2017

Mainstream media outfits exploded with news of Google’s flying car. Although such news outlets rarely seem to notice recreational aviation other than when an accident occurs, the reports I read did a respectable job of covering flying car projects we already knew about (reported here and here earlier; some projects have advanced, some have dropped out, and others have arrived).
April 27, 2017

Recently, Vessel Co., Ltd., and Flight Design made a joint announcement after debuting their new KLA-100 low-wing, light aircraft at Aero Friedrichshafen 2017.
April 25, 2017

On April 13, 2017, only briefly after the Aero Friedrichshafen show ended, LSA manufacturer Remos has a major announcement.
April 22, 2017

In my views of Swan at previous Aero Friedrichshafen shows, the design caught my eye as it was (a) a single seater, (b) light enough to qualify as a Part 103 ultralight or its European equivalents, and (c) as it was an all-composite, nicely designed aircraft.
April 21, 2017

In the late 1990s, the Italian JetFox 97 flew as an evolved ultralight.
April 18, 2017

Electric aircraft may still have minuscule market share but innovations could change that in the near future.
April 16, 2017

Could Light-Sport Aircraft, light kit aircraft, and even ultralights benefit from in-flight adjustable propellers?
April 13, 2017

The German aviation trade fair or show is Aero Friedrichshafen.
April 11, 2017

John “Lites” Leenhouts announced to a largest-ever gathering of volunteers that the event had set all-time records for attendance at the 2017.
April 9, 2017

Sun ‘n Fun is not even over; a final day remains (Sunday, April 9th).
April 8, 2017

Videoman Dave first pulled me aside to look at an unusual ultralight aircraft nestled in the homebuilt area hidden behind a row of porta-potties.
April 7, 2017

Here’s another quick update from new friend, Mike Friend, who is covering Aero along with Roy Beisswenger.
April 7, 2017

People here at Sun ‘n Fun have been asking questions about Flight Design as the company has no exhibitor presence.
April 7, 2017

The grand show called Aero in Friedrichshafen, Germany (that I’m not at… darn!) is happening at the same time as Sun ‘n Fun.
April 6, 2017

Here at the Sun ‘n Fun 2017 airshow LAMA’s LSA Mall is full and strong with 13 aircraft gathered from some of the leading brands.
April 6, 2017

The big show at Lakeland, Florida is open and happening. Today (Tuesday April 4th) is opening day; the event runs through Sunday, April 9th.
April 4, 2017

You could call it thirteen years in the making. More pragmatically, ByDanJohnson.com has now caught up with the mobile revolution.
March 30, 2017

How is it that Rotax so dominates the supply of engines to light aircraft?
March 27, 2017

“You cannot fly IFR in a Light-Sport Aircraft!” Is that what you think?
March 19, 2017

“It cannot be done,” is the quick dismissal from many in aviation, referring to instrument flying in a LSA.
March 19, 2017

We lost one of the good ones recently. You may not have met or even know this man, but you certainly know — and may absolutely love — the airplanes he created.
March 17, 2017

DAN JOHNSON has been called “the leading reviewer of recreational aircraft” after writing hundreds of pilot reports.
March 15, 2017

If you want to know any and everything about Quicksilver, one man knows it all.
March 11, 2017

One of the major stumbles in the light aircraft world was the closure of Quicksilver Aeronautic’s southern California factory in Temecula.
March 11, 2017

We are fast approaching an important time of year… only this year I am a bit conflicted.
March 6, 2017

For thirteen years, ByDanJohnson.com has served the light aircraft community, covering Light-Sport Aircraft, light kit-built aircraft, and ultralight aircraft.
March 3, 2017

Here’s an airplane almost certain to grab your attention. It has huge power (180 horse Titan X340); a “hyper”STOL wing; double Fowler flaps; tremendous shock absorption, including on the tailwheel; and enormous tires.
March 1, 2017

Once upon a time, the producer of a yellow LSA taildragger installed the industry’s most powerful engine resulting in a performance leader.
February 27, 2017

Two forms of flying are racing at us at increasing speed.
February 21, 2017

At Sebring 2017, another long-awaited aircraft emerged… or re-emerged. After wandering for a few years since original Hawk developer Chuck Slusarczyk retired and sold his company, the once-popular design has a new home in central Florida.
February 19, 2017

Are Light-Sport Aircraft too expensive? With yellow taildraggers from some companies exceeding $200,000, it certainly sounds so.
February 12, 2017

If you’ve been saying that Light-Sport Aircraft are too expensive, here is an airplane that may force you to readjust your thinking.
February 11, 2017

Here’s a flight review of the latest version of the J-230, the D model.
February 11, 2017

Why do we go to all the little airshows?
February 10, 2017

At last November’s DeLand Showcase, I tried something new.
February 6, 2017

Following the good reception to the earlier “Race Around DeLand 2016” video, I repeated for the Sebring U.S.
February 6, 2017

Once upon a time, the world was without Internet, static and boring.
February 2, 2017

Among all Light-Sport Aircraft, some of the most intriguing new design qualities are emerging from LSA seaplanes.
February 1, 2017

American Legend is one of the first entries in the Special Light-Sport Aircraft space and it remains and industry leader with a full line of models and variations including multiple power plants.
January 30, 2017

Dynon Avionics has become the leading seller of glass screen instruments in Lihgt-Sport Aircraft and light kit-built airplanes.
January 30, 2017

SkyTrek is a new design from Thomas Hsueh, a longtime aeronautical engineer with impressive credentials (he is also now the owner of the Adam Aircraft twin engine, six-seater).
January 30, 2017

You know the name Murphy Aircraft, from models such as their biplane Renegade or their all-metal Rebel.
January 30, 2017

This unusual looking aircraft is a twin engine taildragger. While fascinating, those two characteristics might make you wonder if you can handle it.
January 30, 2017

First on the market way back in 2005 was the Evektor SportStar.
January 30, 2017

Guardian Avionics made a name for themselves with carbon monoxide (CO) detectors to.
January 30, 2017

News from Sebring Expo 2017… The thirteenth annual running of the Sebring Expo is history concluding on Saturday, January 28th.
January 29, 2017

News from Sebring Expo 2017… “We had a lot of interest in Elf,” said Don Reece, the man behind Apogee A.C.E.
January 28, 2017

At last fall’s inaugural DeLand Showcase event, I got a chance to fly Legend Cub on their own Legend Floats.
January 25, 2017

Pilots not closely following Light-Sport aviation can be excused for thinking only one LSA seaplane is available.
January 24, 2017

In my experience, pilot love learning about engines. Yet without a prop, that engine may run fine, but nothing happens to the airplane other than converting a tank of fuel into noise.
January 22, 2017

If you own an iPad, iPhone, or its Android equivalents — wait a minute, have we any pilots who don’t own one or more of these handy gizmos?
January 22, 2017

Rotax Maintenance Classes — If you are a professional or wanna-be pro in the maintenance or overhaul of Rotax engines, you must take factory-approved training.
January 22, 2017

Are excited general aviation pilots kidding themselves about BasicMed? At least one prominent light aviation expert thinks so and judging from comments I’ve received, I am inclined to say this is much more common than some want to believe.
January 17, 2017

In the new world of BasicMed — got that shortened phrase in your vocabulary yet?
January 13, 2017

Have you ever flown the ultralight area pattern at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh?
January 12, 2017

Update 12/6/16 — According to AOPA Online, “The Federal Aviation Administration has reviewed the AOPA Air Safety Institute’s aeromedical online course and confirmed that it meets the third class medical reform requirements that Congress created last summer.
January 5, 2017

Almost every year at AirVenture Oshkosh, some pilot or team of pilots performs some sky writing, that is, trailing smoke while flying precisely enough that you can read what they are writing from the ground.
January 3, 2017

Doesn’t the newest SLSA resemble an aircraft you know?
December 30, 2016

Glasair Aviation (previously Stoddard-Hamilton) is a storied aircraft company in the USA that has since 1980 manufactured aircraft kits.
December 23, 2016

More than any other one light aircraft company tends to resemble a Silicon Valley company (indeed, they are not location too far away, in Vacaville, California).
December 20, 2016

What must be wrong with the photo you see nearby?
December 15, 2016

Continental Motors is known worldwide for its aircraft engines.
December 14, 2016

Pardon a little fun in the title. I recalled the line long ago attributed to Henry Ford, “You can have any color [Model T] you want as long as it’s black.” Sonex Aircraft had so regularly brought bright yellow airplanes to airshows, folks could be excused for thinking that was the only color available.
December 13, 2016

This weekend, let’s watch some video. At airshows (where I seem to spend a lot of time), my video partner Dave and I race around from booth to exhibit and attempt to find new aircraft or products we think may be of interest to our viewers.
December 11, 2016

Fourteen years ago, light aviation leader Tecnam brought their only low wing, the Sierra, to market.
December 2, 2016

When you look at the photos of this new-to-Americans aircraft, you might have a vague recollection of one or more aircraft that looked something like Shark.
November 29, 2016

This last week, I trekked to FAA headquarters in Washington DC, an action that consumed three days of my time.
November 28, 2016

Since 2000 Guardian Avionics has built a respected name for reliable and accurate carbon monoxide detectors for certified aircraft, LSA, or homebuilt airplanes.
November 16, 2016

Every quarter, like clockwork, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), issues its delivery report.
November 11, 2016

The first-ever DeLand Sport Aviation Showcase finished on a high note with a sold-out flock of vendors giving kudos to event director Jana Filip and her team.
November 8, 2016

One company making a splash at the brand-new DeLand Sport Aviation Showcase event that opened today was AeroJones, occupying the first two spaces inside the entrance.
November 4, 2016

The first-ever inaugural event of the DeLand starts tomorrow, November 3rd and runs through the 4th and 5th (THursday, Friday, Saturday).I hope you are planning to attend.
November 2, 2016

Are you interested in light aircraft? “Check.” Interested in cool looking flying machines?
October 26, 2016

I guess I’m still old fashioned. I still call those things in front of the pilot “instruments,” although the preferred term for a panelful of them shifted to “avionics.” At least most people and I have stopped using “gauges.” Choose the term that works for you, but mail order giant Aircraft Spruce just sent offerings to builders, whether at home or in a factory.
October 25, 2016

The stories we hear about North Korea are usually bad. OK, I’ve rarely heard anything good so I guess the news is just about all bad.
October 18, 2016

The lines are separating a bit. Once we had a flock of LSA priced closer to one another than today.
October 16, 2016

First a personal tale and then something completely different… In the last week, I encountered something brand new to me, although old as the ocean.
October 10, 2016

Over and over I’ve heard about the cost of Light-Sport Aircraft.
October 4, 2016

WUFI ’16 — It’s tomorrow in New Zealand. Weird as it seems to write that, the down-under nation is 17 hours ahead of those of us on America’s east coast.
September 30, 2016

DeLand Showcase — The eighth annual Midwest LSA Expo occurred in early September in Mt.
September 27, 2016

A Thousand Ultralight Pilots Sharing the Sky” …is the tagline used by the Dayton Ultralights group again sponsoring the World Ultralight Fly-In.
September 20, 2016

Earlier this month, Light-Sport Aircraft celebrated a birthday. The date was September 1st, when FAA made the then-new Sport Pilot/Light-Sport Aircraft rule “effective” (to employ FAA-speak).
September 17, 2016

The newest owner of a SLSA Special Airworthiness certificate is Triton AeroMarine for their Skytrek.
September 11, 2016

Article Updated 9/7/15 — See new information at the bottom of this article.
September 5, 2016

Coming up NEXT WEEK! — September 8-9-10, 2016 — is the Midwest LSA Expo.
August 31, 2016

Most pilots never probably have witnessed the testing a wing endures before designers and regulators will sign off on it, signaling that it has been adequately stressed so that pilots can depend on it.
August 25, 2016

Coming up in just over two weeks! — September 8-9-10, 2016 — is the Midwest LSA Expo.
August 22, 2016

Dual Electronics has been a leader in the panel-top devices that supply valuable information to iPads and other tablets that have become so popular in cockpits.
August 19, 2016

We’ve seen the Song but as the ULS, a pure-electric version of the same airplane as substantially modified by Randall Fishman’s Electric Aircraft Corporation.
August 19, 2016

Glasair is the well-known company behind models of a similar name but now they have something very news.
August 19, 2016

Video Pilot Reports are some of the most popular of our hundreds of videos.
August 19, 2016

Here’s Part 2 of our Video Pilot Report on Van’s Aircraft’s very poplar RV-12 is presented in two parts.
August 19, 2016

One of the most eye-catching aircraft I saw in the immense halls of Aero was the Bulldog Autogyro, a superbly finished prototype almost too good to fly.
August 19, 2016

The first major introduction of a diesel engine that will enter production, perhaps in 2015, came from Superior Air Parts at Sun ‘n Fun 2015.
August 19, 2016

Quicksilver’s Sprint has long been a great little airplane. Versions of it have sold many, many thousands of units and they consistently deliver good flying qualities with an excellent safety record.
August 19, 2016

The people behind the very impressive two seat deluxe trike called Revo introduced their first single seater called Rev.
August 19, 2016

If you saw Part 1 on the Evolution Trikes Rev, you saw it assembled from trailer form to flight form in a few minutes.
August 19, 2016

BushCat has long be both a very interesting design with features you will not find on other aircraft and it has a price point that most can consider.
August 19, 2016

Electric aircraft are a major buzz with even aviation gian Airbus working on their eFan.
August 19, 2016

Light-Sport Aircraft are awesome. Many pilots want one but not all can afford one.
August 19, 2016

Convincingly the most prolific and successful aircraft engine producer for the light, recreational aircraft segment, Rotax wins awards from readers of magazines that vote on the best powerplant.
August 19, 2016

For the second year, Flying magazine is the main sponsor of the Flying Aviation Expo.
August 19, 2016

At AirVenture Oshkosh 2015, Rotax Aircraft Engines made a special announcement … that of their new 135 horsepower 915 engine.
August 19, 2016

The very first Light-Sport Aircraft to adopt air conditioning was the Corbi Air Alto 100 from DirectFly.
August 19, 2016

Some folks believe Light-Sport Aircraft cannot function well in a flight school environment.
August 19, 2016

One of the most eye-catching microlights at Aero 2015 was the Sea-Avio Risen.
August 19, 2016

Many of us who enjoy soaring flight love the Pipistrel Sinus as it offers some wonderful gliding capability.
August 19, 2016

Only a few months earlier, at Sun ‘n Fun 2015, we got our first glimpse of the Superior Gemini Diesel engines aimed at the Light-Sport Aircraft space.
August 19, 2016

Finally! I got to fly Icon’s long-awaited A5 LSA seaplane. In a word: superb.
August 19, 2016

Welcome back to Paradise, that is, welcome to Brazilian producer Paradise Aircraft to the tropical paradise of Florida where the southern hemisphere builder has set up a remote manufacturing operation.
August 19, 2016

CubCrafters made the Titan engine well known to Light-Sport Aircraft enthusiasts when it added the 180-horsepower engine to their line of Cub-like airplanes.
August 19, 2016

We first knew of this project as WATTsUP. That name was fun but as the project came to production, it was renamed Electro … basically their Alpha but with electric propulsion.
August 19, 2016

We first knew of this project as WATTsUP. That name was fun but as the project came to production, it was renamed Electro … basically their Alpha but with electric propulsion.
August 19, 2016

In this video, we think you will see something unusual. This is a 1991 Quicksilver GT500 that looks as though it just rolled off the assembly line.
August 19, 2016

A few years back the folks at I-TEC introduced their Maverick, a powered parachute but with such a substantial carriage that they drove if from Florida to Oshkosh.
August 19, 2016

Videoman Dave and I decided we need to do several videos in support of increasing the number of women involved with flying.
August 19, 2016

Duc Hélices, a French company, has specialized in the creation of all-carbon fiber propellers in various configurations, to fit engines of different sizes and airplanes of differing performance.
August 19, 2016

You’ve probably heard of TruTrak, the leading autopilot maker for light aircraft of many descriptions.
August 19, 2016

Building a kit is part of the American aviation dream but it isn’t for everyone.
August 19, 2016

Easily one of the most recognized headset brands in all of aviation is David Clark.
August 19, 2016

Come on along as we fly the most deluxe trike you can buy.
August 19, 2016

In this somewhat shorter video, Part 2 of 2 for our Evolution Trikes Revo Video Pilot Report (VPR), Dan shows you many of the well-considered details for their most deluxe trike.
August 19, 2016

This video continues from our full-length video pilot report on the TL Ultralights TL-3000 Sirius.
August 19, 2016

We don’t often talk to pilots of plans-built aircraft but here’s a winner.
August 19, 2016

The SkyCraft Airplanes SD1 Minisport grabbed plenty of attention at Oshkosh 2012 but really took off the next year when the company announced a fully-built version that will later qualify as a Special LSA.
August 19, 2016

Quicksilver has now completed all the flight testing for the most popular kit to qualify it for Special Light-Sport Aircraft acceptance by FAA.
August 19, 2016

Belite Aircraft has maintained a singular focus on single seat aircraft, many of which can meet Part 103 (meaning no license, medical, or N-numbers needed).
August 19, 2016

Electric power rivets the attention of many pilots even while the development of this power to propel airplanes continues to progress.
August 19, 2016

In our first VPR (Video Pilot Report) on a gyroplane, we go aloft with Robert Snyder in the biggest selling brand, AutoGyro, flying their two place tandem Calidus.
August 19, 2016

Rans designer and leader Randy Schlitter brought his complete and flying S-20 Raven to Sebring and we spoke with him updating our earlier video from last summer when the airplane was in “bare bones” mode.
August 19, 2016

Not many people have gotten to fly the ITEC Maverick, the flying car candidate that has arrived on the market.
August 19, 2016

Doesn’t everyone know about the miniature BD-5 airplane including the jet-powered version many have seen at airshows?
August 19, 2016

Continental is one of the most familiar brand names in all of aviation.
August 19, 2016

Soldiers in our country’s service too often sustain combat injuries that cost them the use of their limbs.
August 19, 2016

Many Light-Sport Aircraft use autopilots these days because such controllers have dropped rather fantastically in cost from the days when only turbines and larger had such equipment.
August 19, 2016

You already know very well Rotax, Jabiru, Continental, and Lycoming plus a couple others including UL Power and Viking.
August 19, 2016

We’ve looked at Nando Groppo’s Trail aircraft earlier, both in the USA and over at Aero in Germany.
August 19, 2016

Germany’s popular Fk9 from FK lightplanes is one of that country’s most popular models, often flown in flight schools and by hundreds of recreational pilots.
August 19, 2016

One of the biggest splashes at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2014 came with the debut of the MVP.aero’s new offering, their MVP that stands for Most Versatile Plane.
August 19, 2016

Adventure Aircraft may be a new name but you may know the man behind it.
August 19, 2016

Aerotrek supplies a popular and well-priced everything but, you know, having a nice airplane isn’t enough.
August 19, 2016

Garmin is one of the most familiar brand names in Light-Sport Aircraft.
August 19, 2016

Kris Siuba has represented the handsome Light-Sport Aircraft Topaz from Ekolot for several years but he wasn’t a solo pilot until just before his 9-hour flight to Sun ‘n Fun 2014.
August 19, 2016

At the Midwest LSA Expo, we had a chance to speak with one of market leader Flight Design’s midwestern dealer, Tom Baker.
August 19, 2016

When people visit the Midwest LSA Expo, a popular LSA-oriented show in early September, those visitors will likely run into an expert airplane broker, Eric Evans.
August 19, 2016

Our video with Levil’s Joe Marszal starts out with something absolutely new at AirVenture 2014.
August 19, 2016

At the Midwest LSA Expo in 2014, we spoke with Jabiru USA owner Pete Krotje about some significant changes made to one of the popular powerplants in the light aircraft space.
August 19, 2016

Jabiru Aircraft has long done well with their line of affordable, speedy, and U.S.-assembled aircraft.
August 19, 2016

Larry Burke founded the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association back in the early 1980s when ultralight aircraft were zooming around the skies of shows like Sun ‘n Fun.
August 19, 2016

At AirVenture 2014, EAA hosted Zenith Aircraft in a major project in which 2,500 people gave some assistance to a central team that built an entire CH-750 from shipping container to FAA sign-off and test fly during the seven days of the show in Oshkosh.
August 19, 2016

Vertical Power makes some of the useful products about which most of us don’t know enough.
August 19, 2016

Cub-S, as it is known in 2014, is a very powerful Cub-like airplane.
August 19, 2016

How about an electric airplane you can buy for less than $20,000?
August 19, 2016

In our continuing series of Video Pilot Reports (VPRs), we review the latest Rans, designer Randy Schlitter’s S-20 Raven.
August 19, 2016

Zenith has found a very ripe market with lots of buyers of their kit-only CH-701 or CH-750 models that some refer to as a “Sky Jeep.” These are STOL models with short takeoff and landing.
August 19, 2016

Here we go again with another of our series of Video Pilot Reports or VPRs, this time in the Czech Sport Aircraft SportCruiser.
August 19, 2016

Lately the loud buzz in aviation is drones. Called UAVs, UASs, RPVs or other names, we’ll just use “drone.” Not our usual fare of reports on man-flown aircraft, we are just as intrigued as tens of thousands of others with this camera-carrying airplanes.
August 19, 2016

Most pilots seem to love engines. Well, no surprise as (except for gliders) it is a powerplant that allows us to go aloft and see the world from our unique perspective.
August 19, 2016

As we spoke with Doc’ Bailey at Sun ‘n Fun 2013, we first hear about his new 71,000 square foot hangar at Fort Pierce airport.
August 19, 2016

Sebring kicks off the year with the granddaddy of LSA Expo events.
August 19, 2016

You should already know the Sling. The South African design set a new benchmark by coming off design and initial development to take an east-to-west trip around the globe.
August 19, 2016

For years Aerolite 103 has been a charmer of the Part 103 class of aircaft.
August 19, 2016

Do you wish you could have gone to Aero like we did?
August 19, 2016

The Petrel is back now as the Super Petrel LS. A Brazilian-manufactured seaplane, the LSA candidate is represented by Florida Light Sport Aviation.
August 19, 2016

If you’re looking for a Light-Sport Aircraft that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, you need look no further than the SkyReach Bush Cat.
August 19, 2016

If you’ve ever tried float flying, you probably love it. If you haven’t tried it, do so … soon!
August 19, 2016

Jim Weibe is the brains behind the Belite aircraft, some of which meet Part 103 parameters.
August 19, 2016

We don’t have a lot of ultralight helicopter coverage here on ByDanJohnson.com because not many exist.
August 19, 2016

If you’re looking for an airplane that carries a modest cost, you search can be challenging.
August 19, 2016

Get an update on the very handsome F30 from Golden Avio, the very last design from aviation design legend Stelio Frati.
August 19, 2016

We first looked at the Nando Groppo Trail from Italy at Sebring 2013.
August 19, 2016

Aerotrek and their dual models — the A220 taildragger and the A240 trigear — have been an impressive performer in the market share race, steadily moving up our chart.
August 19, 2016

When you want the final word, it’s often best to go right to the top, to the boss.
August 19, 2016

Describing the Pipistrel is interesting in three ways: the company name (a story by itself), the LSA industry’s broadest line of composite airplanes; and Pipistrel’s success winning three NASA efficiency contests.
August 19, 2016

We’ve seen AMT’s FlyCool light weight, low power draw air conditioning system before in other Light-Sport Aircraft but it had not yet been done in the CTLS.
August 19, 2016

Air Management Technology makes the FlyCool, a lightweight, low power draw, surprisingly effective air conditioning system for Light-Sport Aircraft or light kit aircraft.
August 19, 2016