Following up on my post two days ago, I’m happy to report Wired magazine just ran a story online about the Yuneec E-Spyder that Tom Peghiny of Flight Designs has been developing for them. The story has several excellent photos and it’s a good write-up, so click on over there to see how the mainstream media is helping push public awareness of electric aviation. *** Here’s the Wired video of the E-Spyder that ought to whet your appetite for electric flight…I can’t wait to get back to the states and get over to Tom’s to do my own story on it.
Update 10/29/10 — After Jim Lawrence and I did our bits on the E-Spyder and electric airplanes, Wired blogger Jason Paur wrote another piece for Wired Autopia that represents more great reading you should check out. Jason’s newest article summarizes all the electric-powered light aircraft developments quite well.
Whirring into the Air on Electricity
You’re probably aware of the auto industry’s billion-dollar bet on electric cars. Skeptics are plentiful. Same for airplanes. Despite doubts, even Cessna and Bye Energy are teaming up on an electric 172. Other LSA electric projects are also underway and it’s all good in my mind. *** Most e-powered aircraft remain in the future. Yet here today is the E-Spyder. You can place an order that’ll set you back less than $30,000. Plus it’s a true Part 103 ultralight meaning you don’t need no stinkin’ government license to fly it. *** I wish I lived closer to Woodstock Connecticut where co-developer Tom Peghiny is flying Yuneec’s E-Spyder along with a few trusted friends. The one they’re flying has longer wings and a battery-hiding compartment (top photo, circled). Tom wrote, “We have been flying a lot since finishing the plane in mid September.” So far Tom and team have taken 15 flights on the upgraded version. This prototype (#3) has many changes over the original that was shown at Airventure in 2009.
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).
iCub, Meet Smart Cub
Those hard-working stalwarts at Legend, the number one U.S. producer of LSA, keep finding interesting things for folks like me to write about. • Trish Jackson is an Ohio native who flies Airbus freight carriers all over Europe. She learned flying from her mother at age 13 and still remembers a memorable quote mom made on a flight: “Look at these rivers. It’s like God carved them out with his finger.” *** Trish owned a vintage Cub at one point in her career, but a couple years ago felt the urge to own one again — a brand new one. She kicked some tires and lit some fires for a year or two, then took a Legend Cub demo flight. *** Last April she joined the annual Legend rite of spring gaggle — a trip I had the distinct pleasure of making in 2008 — to fly formation with a bunch of Legend Cubs from Sulphur Springs, TX to Lakeland, FL for the annual Sun ‘n Fun spring flyin.
New Flight Design Offerings — Summer 2010
Flight Design has maintained their substantial lead in market share partly through a strategy of steady innovation. The German company and its U.S. partners regularly develop new products and introduce them with pizzazz. The company’s press conference and exhibit space at Oshkosh 2010 revealed this methodology. *** AirVenture visitors got to examine the CTLS Lite on amphibious floats. CTLS Lite — unveiled at a significantly-reduced price and dramatically-reduced empty weight — was introduced only three months earlier at Sun ‘n Fun. By Oshkosh 2010, that new model sat atop amphib floats that have already recorded a number of flights from water and land. *** The floats are from Clamar and were developed in concert with Flight Design distributor Airtime Aviation of Tulsa, Oklahoma, arguably the nation’s largest dealer of LSA. “The Clamar floats match the structure and the feel of the Flight Design planes,” said Tom Peghiny, president of importer Flight Design USA.
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