October 2007 was the One for Sport Aircraft Works, U.S. importer of Czech Aircraft Works (CZAW) airplanes. They registered #41 SLSA with FAA, they took order #101 for their SportCruiser, and they sold a pair of SportCruisers to the #21 school to adopt the brand and become a Sport Aircraft Pilot Center. Customer deliveries reached 40 for CZAW’s best-selling SportCruiser. Sport Aircraft Works Director of Sales Bob Anderson said, “SportCruiser is one of the few aircraft sold as a Light Sport Aircraft that was designed for the 1,320-pound weight limit,” that is, it wasn’t scaled up from a European 992-pound (450 kg) microlight. The company partners with Gleim Publishing for training documents in their Sport Aircraft Pilot Centers. *** Sport Aircraft Works also represents the Aerospool WT-9 Dynamic which can be homebuilt as a retractable speedster or flown by a Sport Pilot with fixed gear and a prop that translates speed into more climb.
Flying the Rans S-19; SLSA Version in Process
Most light aircraft enthusiasts know Rans. One of America’s leading builders the Hays, Kansas company has delivered more than 4,000 aircraft. Rans achieved Primary Category certification for their high wing tandem S-7 Courier in the 1990s. That program fizzled through no fault of Rans’ but after meeting industry consensus (ASTM) standards their S-7LS again won approval as a Special Light-Sport Aircraft. *** Sales of the model ranks the company at #17…5th among U.S. builders. That position seems bound to rise when Rans adds the low wing side-by-side S-19 as a SLSA (so far it’s been offered as a 51% kit). Look for their announcement at the Sebring Expo. *** Recently I attended EAA’s Hall of Fame ceremony as designer Randy Schlitter was inducted into the Homebuilders category. Since he flew to Oshkosh I got the chance to fly his ’19 for an article to appear in EAA’s Sport Pilot.
More than 1,000 SLSA Airplanes Registered with FAA
October 2007 brought another top finish for Jabiru USA. FAA registrations of J-250 and J-170 led the industry for the second consecutive month contributing to their rise in the ranks. Czech Aircraft Works logged a good increase and moved up in the chart. And, CubCrafters continued their steady climb. *** In a fresh look, this month’s chart has more information. Included are the top 20 brands, counting all models by those companies (four manufacturers have multiple certifications). In addition to percentages, this month we also show the number of airplanes registered with FAA. But remember, FAA registrations do not precisely equal deliveries. Finally, due to questions about how their numbers are counted, we omitted weight shift and powered parachute LSA. *** A few observations may add to your own study of this chart. Cub replicas or redesigns from three companies added together would convincingly occupy the #2 slot with 181 registered.
Got An LSA Opinion? SportairUSA Wants Your Input.
The customer is king…even before becoming a customer. StingSport seller SportairUSA has launched an online survey to find out what you think. Will you waste your time? Not if you have an opinion and want someone to listen carefully. You could also pick up $100 in cash for your time and have a chance at a $1,000 bonus prize. *** To offer your thoughts, click here and follow the survey instructions. I did it in 10 minutes. They ask 23 questions, some with multiple responses and a few require you to type some answer. Results could provide valuable info. Last year, Flight Design surveyed customers and offered a prize. It’s great to see these leading companies working hard to get real opinions. But don’t delay. The survey runs only through the end of November. SportairUSA and their research partner promise your answers will remain anonymous and they won’t try to sell you anything as a result of your participation.
San Diego Firestorm Threatening Ultralights & LSA
Reporting from right in the middle of the firestorm, Higher Class Aviation owner Robert Gaither called to say, “We’re OK!” His Ramona Airport operation building the Sport Hornet benefits from being on station with fire fighting aircaft. More-than-willing pilots of those aircraft have been grounded by high winds. Meanwhile, ground-based firemen know they need to preserve those aircraft so they’re sheltering the airport. “The only way this fire will be stopped is by the ocean or by fire fighting aircraft,” said Robert. *** He heard from numerous friends that Nichol’s Field, near Otay and the Mexican border is severely threatened. One pilot fears they may lose the entire airport and its fleet of some 50 ultralights. “It’s like a war zone out here,” Robert reported by cell phone. But he also observed the flying community is banding together. “My customers have called me to ask if we are alright and to offer their support.
LSA in Flight Schools; Allegro Reports Success
Fantasy Air USA and LSA America in central North Carolina sell three SLSA: Interplane SkyBoy, Fantasy Air Allegro 2007, and Flying Machines Mystique. They’ll soon also have the Part 103 ZJ Viera. *** In addition to distributing LSA nationally, Fantasy Air USA runs a profitable flight training operation. Proprietors Doug and Betty Hempstead report 33 students have completed training with an average of 28 hours to obtain their Sport Pilot certificate. Using the Allegro at $70/hour + $30 for a flight instructor, they’ve kept the cost below $3,000 — compared to $8,000 or more to get a Private license. Doug reports average burn of just 2.5 gph during instruction (training is flown slower than cruise speeds). Many students drive 1-4 hours to obtain training, though a map on the office wall shows a growing network of Allegros used in flight training.
Getting Ready for Sebring’s LSA Expo #4
Over January 17-20, 2008 every significant company in Light-Sport Aircraft will be in Sebring, Florida. The Sebring Expo preludes with an ASTM
meeting. During the event LAMA hosts its annual member meeting and dinner plus its board will meet. EAA will organize a slate of info forums. Importantly, vendors can deliver demo flights all day every day. *** Event Chairman Bob Wood reported, “Cirrus Design is the most recent addition to the stellar group of companies now sponsoring the event. They join Cessna, Garmin, The Southern Ford Dealers, and others.” *** Sebring #4 appears bound for new records. Paid exhibit space available increased again in 2008. “We are up nearly 30% in spaces over 2007, and now nearly every one of those is booked,” said Wood. Most of the 47 companies and the 59 models that have achieved SLSA status can be found at Sebring making it the largest collection of LSA anywhere.
Jabiru’s J-250 3-Door SLSA Leads September 2007
In September, as the Cessna Skycatcher’s wave of orders soaked up funds that might have gone to other SLSA, Jabiru logged the most FAA registrations — 6 more J-250s, bringing the company to 44 units delivered and placing the model 9th overall among fixed wing airplanes. In second place, CT, CH-601XL, and Skyboy each added three registered units. Though the month was slower than usual for fixed wings, weight-shift added another strong month with 19 registrations (though some are wondering if these trikes are all SLSA or include ELSA conversions; we’re researching this). Combined, trikes and powered parachutes added 25 aircraft to the FAA registry while fixed wings added 27 for a total of 52 new SLSA. *** Jabiru USA has moved steadily up the market share chart. As the only aircraft company I know supplying both airframe and engine, Jabiru USA advanced steadily into the Top Ten of SLSA providers in the USA.
AOPA’s Hartford Expo Has Generous Count of LSA
Most pilots know AOPA, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, has been fighting the user fee battle…and they’ve been doing well resisting the might of the U.S. government. But they must also have a connection with Mother Nature as warm, beautiful weather shined on opening day at Connecticut’s Brainard airport. *** On display: StingSport, Skylark, the new Breezer II, Allegro 2000, SportCruiser, Sigma, Thorpedo, Sport Cub, Bravo, Sierra, CTsw, Jabiru J-250, Gobosh G-700S, and Remos G-3. Contrary to earlier info, American Champion brought The Champ, Cessna displayed their Skycatcher mockup, and Cirrus flew their SRS. In all, I counted 17 LSA at Hartford. That amounts to a healthy 19% of all airplanes on display.
A Fantasy Comes True
In only the third approval under the new Sport Pilot rule, B Bar D Aviation and Fantasy Air USA announced news that their Allegro 2000 has received its certification as a Special Light-Sport Aircraft. Allegro 2000 has been warmly received and Fantasy Air USA can now begin deliveries of ready-to-fly aircraft to customers that have placed orders. See my review in Ultralight Flying!’s 5/05 issue — the article will post here soon. SPLOG will report two more certifications in the near future.
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