Accompanying this article is our customary chart showing market share of the entire fleet of LSA. I’ve received a few comments over recent months that we should emphasize current-period results. Market share for many products, computers, for example, are given as total market share (“Windows has 90% of the market.”). *** In truth, I have reported current-period results in the article text for the last few updates. We’ve collected all market reports to make reviewing them easier. Here’s a look-back with emphasis on results only for 2010. *** With 83% of the year (10 months) accounted for, Piper‘s legacy brand is convincingly leading the market. At 43 airplanes registered in 2010 (24% of all registrations), the Vero Beach, Florida company is rising rapidly. Note as always that these figures do not match actual sales activity at companies. *** Following Piper, CubCrafters is enjoying a strong year, said Jim Richmond at AOPA as his company added 37 LSA registrations (20% of all ’10 LSA).
Remos Teams with LoPresti
Folks with a GA background will know the name LoPresti… the late, great Roy LoPresti was a prominent aeronautical engineer who became famous for finding ways to streamline and otherwise enhance existing airframe designs to squeeze more speed out of them. *** LoPresti Aviation (nickname “LoPresti Speed Merchants”), now owned by son Curt LoPresti, just announced that it is the new east coast sales, distribution and service center for Remos Aircraft, to be based at LoPresti’s Sebastian Airport facilities near Palm Beach, Florida. *** It should be a good move for both companies as Remos Sales and Marketing Veep Earle Boyter and LoPresti can make good use of their longtime relationship. The Sebastian Airport is ideally located in the middle of a robust year-round flying community. *** LoPresti engineers will hope to enhance the Remos GX fuel efficiency — the LSA speed limit, of course, has a max of 120 knots — by bringing its speedifying technology to bear with things like redesigned fairings, cowls, aileron gap seals and other “clean-up” technologies that made LoPresti famous.
Pete Krotje on Jabiru Engines & Aircraft
What do sugar cane harvesting equipment and light aircraft and engines have to do with one another? The former was the original work of Jabiru founders Rod Stiff and Phil Ainsworth. The latter is what occurred after a trip to Europe back in 1988. While they traveled, the other partners voted them out of the company and on their return they got a check for their equity.
So Rod and Phil did what entrepreneurs do. They took their dough and started a new company. This is the story Jabiru USA boss Pete Krotje told to begin his talk about the engines and airplanes the duo created. *** The first Jabiru flew in 1991 under Australia’s then-new “ultralight” rule that allowed a new class of aircraft with no medical (long before FAA found such a solution useful). That first airplane — called a Light Sport Aircraft, again well before FAA used a similar term — used a KFM engine but that powerplant company soon said they were leaving the business.
Stirring My Soul — Phoenix Rising
I’ve had the pleasure to fly more than 350 light airplanes of every conceivable description. Most of those experiences brought a smile to my face. A few genuinely stirred my soul. Though I started in powered aircraft I found my way to gliders and to soaring, which I freely admit is my favorite aviation challenge. To rise high above the Earth using only swirling currents of air is magical. *** An extra benefit was acquiring confidence about landing without an engine. To many power pilots, an engine-out landing is scary. But every landing in a glider involves but one approach. You know what? You get comfortable with it and now when I fly a power plane, I don’t worry as much about a loss of power. My power plane will just become a glider and I know how to handle that. *** So with great anticipation over an eventual test flight, I am delighted to announce the Phoenix was certified as SLSA #111 in August 2010.
Falcon 2.0 First To Fly Lycoming 0-233
I got an email today from Christopher “Doc” Bailey of Renegade Light Sport that the Falcon 2.0 just made its maiden flights with the brand new Lycoming IO-233-LSA engine. *** A video Doc linked to me gives the salient details. The Falcon LS was initially imported by T&T Aviation which sold the distributorship and inventory to Doc and his partners last July, as posted here earlier.
You can read more on Doc’s ambitious plans to market 100 of these beauties with standard synthetic vision EFIS panels from Grand Rapids Technologies for $125,000 in my column due out next month.
Falcon is the very first airplane to fly with the Lyc 233. Renegade is working with Lycoming and Champion Electronics to develop it. *** “We’ll fly it over the next few months,” says interviewer and 35 year Aeronautical Engineering Professor Fred Schieszer, “and report back to Lycoming and Champion, which is developing the electronic ignition system.
First Flight of Lycoming O-233 LSA Powerplant
October brought the first flight of the Lycoming O-233 in a Falcon Light-Sport Aircraft. This adds the famed Lycoming nameplate to a stable of LSA powerplant brands including Rotax, Jabiru, and Continental plus the CubCrafters CC340 engine. To these, we can now add the Lycoming O-233 LSA engine. *** “Our first flight flew well right out of the box,” reported test pilot Rob Runyon. “The O-233-powered Falcon performed well. I have no squawks.” On the maiden flight, the Lycoming O-233-powered Falcon logged 0.6 hours doing four take offs and landing. Runyon said it was a gusty day (15G23) but the Falcon handled well. “It was fun to be 1,000 AGL by the end of a 4,000 runway. I saw acceleration through 80 knots at 1,500 fpm. It went right to 110 knots and felt like it could hit 120 knots.” *** Of 110 LSA models on the market, the flight of the Falcon represents a first for Lycoming (although a Florida RV-9 ELSA was fitted and flown with the older O-235).
Smooth Ekolot Topaz Makes First U.S. Appearance
Just when you thought the LSA industry was running out of models (109 presently show on our SLSA List)… here comes one of the sharpest examples I’ve seen. NIU Group used the Midwest LSA Expo as the venue to debut an airplane I’ve seen in Europe (more than 100 flying). Previously in the U.S., we have seen the Junior from the same company.
In the accompanying photos we see the top-of-the-line Topaz and a handsome machine it is, both outside and inside. With its automotive-styled, leather-trimmed interior, Topaz presents an attention-getter for any airport ramp and the Midwest LSA Expo was no exception. Attendees were drawn to the gorgeous new LSA represented by Krzysztof Siuba. He’s aware his first name is difficult for Americans, so he just says, “Call me Kris.” Whew! Good.
As with many European producers, Poland-based Ekolot has experience with sailplanes and the composite finish shows a glider producer’s attention to an exceptionally smooth finish.
Jabiru-Powered Rans S-19 Is Simply Superb
Pilots seem to love more power. All other things being equal, a more potent engine is preferred to one with less power. Pilots also like sweet-handling airplanes. So, put 20 more horses in front of the S-19 Venterra and you’ve really got something. *** At the recent Mt. Vernon Midwest LSA Expo, I got to fly with Mark Stauffer in the Rans S-19 Venterra powered by the 120-hp Jabiru 3300. Saturday was beautiful and a great day for flying, but it wasn’t just the agreeable weather that caused me to land (quite well, thank you) with a big smile on my face. This combo is darn near perfect, in my opinion. Now, I’m also a fan of Rotax’s 912 series, but this six cylinder Jabiru engine was one of the few experiences I’ve had where the powerplant ran like the proverbial sewing machine. That comparison is often made but not always entirely factual.
Big View Flying
The folks at the CT Flier Forum kick off their 4th Annual CT Fly-in this coming Oct. 14-17 and it sounds like a blast…unless the sight of the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Lake Powell, Bryce Canyon and Zion Canyon aren’t enough eye candy to get your mojo working. *** Rooms are available at a $49 rate and around 40 aircraft have already signed up so don’t delay, scenic flight fans. *** My understanding is any LSA is welcome, but mostly Flight Design CTLS and CTSW owners will be there since it’s a CT forum. *** There will also be ground excursions to various places like Hoover Dam and Antelope Canyon, cookouts and such: should be a lot of fun. *** If you go, bring your own tie-downs just in case, and call now to get lodging and let them know you’re coming. *** Page Airport — KPGA — is the jumping off place.
New LSA Market Info; Here Come the Big Boys
Perhaps you’ve noticed we have not been reporting market share information as often as we once did. Two reasons: (1) the market has matured, meaning the leaders are distancing themselves from niche producers and the rank positions aren’t moving around as much; (2) in the economic doldrums, the numbers simply haven’t been changing as quickly. *** But since the last report, some action occurred that shines a spotlight on an expected development. The aviation Big Boys are climbing upward… Piper advanced into the #3 spot, pushing also-strong CubCrafters down a notch. The legacy Florida company is closing on #2 American Legend. Secondly, while still well down the chart, Cessna moved up from #20 to #17 enroute toward the top. Based on the company’s reported 1,000+ orders, it seems only a matter of time before they outrun everyone. Or, will they…? *** Nothing is sure in business (or economies, it appears).
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