Breezer dealer Mike Zidziunas had a double-good day. *** First, a potential buyer he’d been working with whipped out a blank check and said, “How much do I fill it in for?” *** Congratulations Mike! *** He also announced the German company has named him sole U.S. Distributor for the Breezer II, which he’ll take over from Sportsplanes.com. He’ll do business as Breezer Aircraft U.S.A. *** Owner Dirk Ketelsen and marketing rep Wolfgang Nitschmann joined the celebration and lauded Mike’s deep background in LSA engine repair and maintenance, flight training, and assembly/final test flying of imported aircraft.
Getting Into the PiperSport LSA
What a way to start the year. Piper called a press conference at Sebring and like no other I’ve seen after attending all six Expo events, the media turned out in droves. On opening day the legacy brand unveiled their LSA entry at Sebring 2010 (it was also their first exhibitor appearance). Camera clicked constantly, videos whirred, and recording devices captured every uttered word. It may not have been as spectacular as Apple’s iPad media event, but it generated the same kind of intense buzz. Here’s a few facts I haven’t seen in the other generous media coverage. *** Piper is a 72-year-old much-storied producer of 140,000 airplanes. They have certified 160 models (50% more than the incredible output of all LSA producers combined). They span the general aviation spectrum from the $120,000 PiperSport to the $2.2 million PiperJet. The company’s iconic Piper Cub inspired two replica LSA producers (American Legend and CubCrafters), whose aircraft comprise two of the top five among all LSA manufacturers… and the only two of the top eight SLSA that are built in the USA.
Going Multimedia (Reluctantly at First)
Lots of other aviation news organizations embraced multimedia before ByDanJohnson.com did. We figured online was already quite lively with hyperlinks and true interactivity as represented by our exclusive PlaneFinder 2.0 feature. *** About a year ago, of UltralightNews approached me with an idea to do brief reviews of LSA. I accepted his invitation and today we are well on our way to having a 4-8 minute video mini-review for each of the 105 SLSA on the market. Other professional outlets like AvWeb, ANN, AOPA, and EAA offer multimedia topics all over the aviation map, but ByDanJohnson.com maintains a tight focus on all manner of light aircraft flown by Sport Pilots. *** With that manifesto in mind, we observe for you that we just posted new reviews on our LSA Videos page and we invite you to watch these… for free and without even having to register.
Flight Testing Light-Sport Aircraft; How It’s Done
Much has been written about Cessna’s Skycatcher incidents, those spin investigations that caused the loss of one airplane and a parachute deployment from another. Of course, the giant producer knows well the design of light aircraft so it was only a matter of time before all problems were solved. In doing these spin tests, Cessna said they went beyond the ASTM standards, which also call for spin evaluation. (That’s fine. ASTM specifications are intended to be minimum standards; going beyond them is the decision of each company.) *** A new video from Flight Design does a professional job of showing viewers around the aircraft and its test equipment. Check out the YouTube version. Produced by Flight Design test pilot Tim-Peter Voss and his brother Ben, the videographer, we learn that the process no longer depends on a test pilot manually recording results because electronic devices measure more accurately and in real time.
Legendary “Van” Flies His Own RV-12… to Work!
Yes, Cessna’s Light-Sport Aircraft entry helps to validate the concept of industry consensus standards in lieu of government certification. They’ll populate airports with their C-162 Skycatcher as shipments ramp up in 2010. Yes, other big companies are looking at LSA — as most LSA enthusiasts know Cirrus offered an entry though work has stalled, and late 2009 rumors hint at entry by another legacy brand. *** While it’s good to see big boys coming into the game, the biggest-of-all kit builder is also playing. And, in their characteristic way, Van’s Aircraft is quietly racking up sales. According to Ken Scott, “We’ve sold 315 [starter kits] for RV-12. Fifteen are flying and judging from the number of powerplant kits we’ve shipped they should start sprouting like mushrooms pretty quick.” *** The company founder likes RV-12, too. Ken added, “Dick VanGrunsven and his brother Jerry recently completed and flew their personal RV-12 and Van often uses it to commute from his home to [the factory in] Aurora.
Piper to Jump Into LSA?
[UPDATE: 1/13/09 at 1 PM Eastern — Following reports by AOPA Online, Flight International’s Flight Global, and Jim Lawrence below… Piper stated that — contrary to reports in Czech newspapers and radio — they have not signed an agreement with Czech Sport Aircraft. Thus reports about the amount allegedly invested much less forecasts of building hundreds of aircraft, are only speculation at this time. I expect to have more info when, and if, any news is officially released. Now on to Jim’s blog…] *** My tin can and string spyphone is vibrating with news that the quiet little rumor circulating for months is about to become reality: Piper Aircraft appears to have inked a deal with Czech Sport Aircraft (CSA), which successfully took control of the former Czech Aircraft Works, and will import and distribute the beautiful SportCruiser SLSA to the American market!
Super SportCub Rocking Out
Just talked with CubCrafter’s PR head Jon Bliss to check out the haps on the left coast – Yakima, WA to be exact – with the company’s Super SportCub and other Cubalike models. *** “We’re doing as well as we’ve done in a long time,” says Jon. “We’ve even got a backlog of orders.” *** As I said some months ago: *** Bad economy – bah! *** CubCrafters expects to move 50 LSA total out the door next year (2010), with the ASTM-certified (spring of ’09) Super garnering most of the orders. *** If you’ve got a Cub in your dreams, it’s worth checking out the Super, especially if eye-popping takeoff/climb performance is on your wish list. *** The airplane sports the company’s own CC340, high-compression, electronic-ignition engine. News here is, and it’s allowed for in the ASTM spec, that the engine can be run at 180hp for as long as five minutes, then must be throttled back to 80 hp for cruise (around 5 gal/hr fuel burn) to keep it in the LSA-legal performance envelope.
Neiman Marcus: “Icon A5 Is Top Gift!”
Right in line with Icon’s high-viz marketing push for its A5 amphib LSA comes the announcement that iconic big-ticket shopping purveyor Nieman Marcus has the futuristic waterplane as the number one (and priciest) fantasy gift in its 2009 Christmas Book. *** The Icon is currently in extensive flight testing at Tehachapi, Ca, one of the soaring meccas of the west but also near Lake Isabella, so both the land and water chops of the A5 can be thoroughly wrung out. *** An interesting sidenote mentioned in the piece: Matthew Gionta, ICON’s chief technical officer, is quoted as saying 33% of the A5’s current customer base has “never flown before.” *** That’s a testimony to the vision of the company’s founder, Kirk Hawkins, who believes the ICON will bring new pilots to aviation with its glossy marketing of the A5 as a kind of flying jet-ski you can easily trailer to your holiday getaways.
Whatever Works!
Never Say Die Dept: A St. Louis, MO. dealer calling itself the Renegade Light Sport Mall offers several LSA for sale, and the company’s not shy about finding the market wherever it’s hiding. *** I stumbled across this listing on Ebay for the FALCON Light Sport Aircraft, which Renegade champions in the auction as THE BEST LIGHT SPORT AIRCRAFT ON THE PLANET. *** We’re glad to see the Falcon hanging in there. It’s a very attractive U.S.-made airplane with a Lycoming engine. We’ve had our eye on it for some time but haven’t been able to get a flight in yet…maybe at Sebring.
ELSA Trainer Owners – 1/31 Deadline!
January 31st (about 3 weeks away) is an important date for anybody who owns an E-LSA aircraft that’s used for training, whether or not they actually use it for training operations. *** If owners don’t apply for the amended certificate by the 1/31/2010 deadline, their current airworthiness certificate will expire, and another will not be issued! *** Kinda serious stuff. *** Not sure your ELSA falls under this category? Check your airworthiness certificate. On the right side under the serial number and model is the word “expiry.” If the box has “unlimited” in it, you’re golden. But if it has the date “January 31, 2010”, it was originally given the operating limitations for flight training, and you must renew it! *** The fedgov rationale in play here: you cannot amend a certificate if it’s expired. After Jan. 31, you’re toast. *** Quick background: Apparently the ruleworks involved in permitting flight training in ELSA to continue in general is bogged down at FAA.
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