In the month of July 2007 the LSA industry registered 71 more aircraft bringing the total to 904 fixed wing airplanes. That represents a spurt of 11% in one month and an even 60% growth in registered LSA since January 1st 2007. *** In all categories, Americans are flying 1,134 SLSA. Weight Shift aircraft registered an additional 27 aircraft, powered parachutes added 6 and LSA gliders achieved their first registration. *** The leading companies (see chart) were barely changed with the top five holding nearly identical market share from last month. CubCrafters inched up a notch and Czech Aircraft Works narrowly passed Remos. Further down the market share list, positions still saw little fluctuation. This equilibrium will surely be disturbed with the entry of Cirrus (by August 2008, they say) and Cessna* (in the second half of 2009) but for 27 months, customers have generally kept their brand loyalties. *Cessna reported more than 550 sales in the week of AirVenture Oshkosh.
Another Beauty from RANS; S-19 Debuted
Premise: In light sport aviation you never ignore RANS owner and designer Randy Schlitter. With his newly minted S-19, he’s again proven the rule. A flying prototype from the Kansas builder was beautifully finished…a RANS airshow tradition. Compared to the G-700S SPLOGged earlier, S-19 is 70 pounds lighter thanks to “great care in keeping things light,” said RANS (though it’s heavier than predicted due to more durable materials). *** S-19 will be sold intially as a kit with components including Rotax 912S priced at about $43,000. Build time is estimated at 700-1,000 hours. “We plan to offer a certified SLSA,” said Randy though he wouldn’t speculate on when. S-19 first flew June 28th and “production flight testing should be complete sometime in August” though the company is ready to ship tail kits. Reporters will have to wait to fly S-19 but based on flying nearly every other RANS model, I expect superb handling.
SLSA #55…the Polish G-700S from Gobosh
Whew! After ten days in the hot sun, I’m glad Oshkosh is over…but what an event for Light-Sport Aviation. The whole story includes a last few days of whirlwind development climaxing in many new introductions. Folks from Gobosh* brought the all-metal low wing G-700S, an Americanized revision of the AT-3 from Poland. Aero Ltd’s AT-3 was created by Tomasz Antoniewski and a team of engineers known for the Wilga among other designs; it earned JAR-VLA certification in Europe (1999). *** Tim Baldwin and Dave Graham, once associated with the Symphony, won SLSA airworthiness for the G-700S just days before AirVenture 2007 opened. Both men also have business backgrounds in other fields, experience allowing the new company to make an grand entry with a refined product. G-700S comes well equipped for $107,000 to $124,000 and includes a 2-year/400-hour warranty. Financing is available. * “Gobosh” is a acronym borrowed from the go-go technology industry meaning Go Big Or Stay Home.
LSA’s Newest Entry…Cirrus Imports a Beauty
EAA AirVenture is full of surprises. We all knew about Cessna’s confirmed LSA entry (though we had to travel to Oshkosh to see its new Skycatcher). Plenty of other surprises are expected. But one that caught almost everybody unawares was the Cirrus Design entry to aviation’s newest segment. *** They’ll import — and modify, or “Cirrus-ize” — FK Lightplane‘s gorgeous Fk14 Polaris. Cirrus cofounder Dale Klapmeier said, “The Polaris is the basis for a Cirrus LSA, which we’ll call the SRS…for Sport.” The successful Duluth builder wanted a low-wing composite to revise into a low-cost trainer in which new pilots can begin moving toward later ownership of a SR20/22 or the Cirrus Jet. *** “We want a fun, exciting LSA that’s also a good trainer,” added Dale. “We want to appeal all those young at heart potential aviators, including kids. Aviation needs to attract more pilots.” Cirrus previewed their new SRS at their company display right at the entrance to Oshkosh on opening-day Monday.
Newest SLSA (#54) Goes to Higher Class Hornet
Some observers think it looks like a Challenger (ultralight). But it’s made very differently and now it has another distinction. Producer Higher Class Aviation won their SLSA airworthiness certificate on July 18, one of the first of the so-called “ultralight class” to do so. Welcome to No. 54 in the SLSA sweepstakes and congratulations to boss Robert Gaither. *** The Super Hornet has a unique construction — “composed of many 1.25-inch diameter formed aluminum tubes and hundreds of computer-generated gussets, each designed to distribute loads evenly throughout the airframe” — that shows the significant airframe differences from a Challenger (photo). Despite the robust structure, Super Hornet is more modestly priced than most SLSA, starting at around $50,000. Of course, you can bid that up with avionics (photo inset), but you’ll still spend a great deal less than imported choices. Hornet cruises at 95 knots (109 mph), carries 18 gallons of fuel, takes off in 300 feet, and has a 690 pound useful load.
Able Flight Doing Good Work: Brad’s New Ticket
We all know aviation needs more young pilots. And who can’t like an organization that helps people with disabilities. Put those points together you get a winning piece of news like 22-year old Brad Jones earning his Sport Pilot certificate in the Sky Arrow SLSA. *** The happy moment came only a few days after the one-year anniversary of the accident that left him paralyzed. By achieving his pilot license, Brad has become the first Able Flight Scholarship winner to complete the training. *** Brad’s flight instructors Mitch Hansen and Mike Davidson recommended him for his FAA examination and he passed with flying colors. Flying the specially-adapted Sky Arrow provided by Hansen Air Group, Brad logged just over 25 hours of instruction before his checkride with examiner Ben Methvin, Jr. *** Reflecting on his accomplishment, Brad said, “It has boosted my confidence and what I feel I can do.
SportairUSA to Unveil Sirius High-Wing LSA
With events like Sebring and Sun ‘n Fun, AirVenture Oshkosh is a grand venue to introduce something new…or something coming soon. The mockup of the Cessna Sport won’t be the only new model. SportairUSA has represented the low-wing, all-carbon-fiber StingSport since LSA arrived on the scene and it has earned a spot in the top five list of best sellers. *** At Oshkosh 2007, SportairUSA will preview a “cabin model” of the TL 3000 Sirius. The company says, “Flight testing is expected to be completed in the fall, with aircraft ready for USA delivery in 2008.” They elaborate on the sleek high wing saying, “Sirius will be constructed of the same carbon fiber composite materials as the StingSport and powered by the Rotax 912 engine series with a generous, 48-inch-wide cabin and room for golf clubs in the back. Folks who saw the full size mockup at Germany’s Aero show were impressed.
Cessna Announces a “Go” for their LSA
Few will be surprised at this point, but today Cessna made their official announcement that they will proceed with their LSA program. Though we’ve already seen a proof-of-concept aircraft, the Wichita company says they will unveil a full-scale mockup and program details at Oshkosh in less than two weeks. “After conducting extensive market research, it is clear to us there is a great need for this aircraft as we strive to drive down the cost of flying and learning to fly,” said Cessna CEO Jack Pelton. “We believe this aircraft will make a major contribution to stimulating new pilot starts and will encourage already-licensed pilots to continue to fly because it will be more affordable.” Pelton reported that the Cessna Sport incorporates several innovative features into the design and they believe they can deliver what they say is “the finest aircraft in the category at an attractive price.” The company will brief media on Sunday, show the aircraft on Monday the 23rd, and have a forum on the Cessna LSA later on Monday.
Finally, Fifty One! Russian Sigma Is Newest SLSA
It’s been a couple quiet months since the last SLSA approval but we finally gained another. At Oshkosh 2005, an unusual LSA candidate from Russia grabbed the attention of many. Sigma is a high-wing tractor-engined airplane with a unique teardrop-shaped fuselage offering a helicopter-like view for the pilot and passenger. The aircraft from VVV Avia features a basic metal framework with composite wings and fairings. On June 27th, Sigma became #51 to win Special Light-Sport Aircraft approval after a long effort thanks partly to support by LAMA president Tom Gunnarson. FAA designated airworthiness representative (DAR) Joe Gauthier and local FAA Manufacturing Inspection District Office (MIDO) Senior Inspector Gregg Behonick spent the better part of the day reviewing documentation and inspecting the aircraft, culminating in their granting of an SLSA airworthiness certificate. “The inspection was conducted at importer A&P Aircraft’s facilities on MacArthur Airport on Long Island, NY where proprietor Edward Libassi runs an aircraft service center,” reported Gunnarson.
LSA Euro-Factory Tour: Flight Design, Ukraine
The Czech Republic featured in the last few SPLOGs may not be well known to Americans, but Ukraine seems yet another world away. Indeed, our jetliner flew almost two hours further east to Odessa and then we took a three-hour car ride to Kherson, home to the primary production facility for German-owned Flight Design. *** The experience of touring their facility was dramatically different than CZAW or Evektor as Flight Designs works almost exclusively with carbon fiber. Now in its second decade of production CT is America’s best-selling LSA and its factory has grown accordingly. More than 500 Ukrainian employees — engineers, designers, managers, technicians, and factory employees — toil in a sprawling facility not far from the Black Sea. Senior management is German but the entire facility is run by local talent. Interestingly, staff meetings are held in English.
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