How can you do good for aviation and for a fellow American who wants to fly but has challenges? One organization shows the way. By any measure, Able Flight is doing good by enlarging the number of folks who learn to fly. That they do one better by helping people with disabilities learn to fly makes this a sure winner. If you agree, you can help with a donation. *** Able Flight says their mission is to offer people with disabilities a unique way to challenge themselves through flight training, and by doing so, to gain greater self-confidence and self-reliance. I would hasten to add Able Flight also adds to the pilot population… nearly all aviators see this as a good thing. Yet becoming a pilot is only one way people can enter aviation to its benefit. *** “With Able Flight’s new Career Training Scholarship, it is now possible for a person with a physical disability to earn an FAA-issued Repairman Certificate for Light Sport Aircraft in only three weeks, and use that certificate to work at an existing maintenance facility or become an entrepreneur and create their own business,” stated Charles Stites, Executive Director.
Breezer II, Part II, Act I… All-Metal LSA Redux
It didn’t work out the first time. Breezer I wasn’t quite mature for market. The import structure was unwieldy adding cost and distancing the customer from the source. As Breezer Aircraft took over manufacturing of the all-metal LSA, Breezer II arrived in 2008 joining new leadership in Europe with fresh representation in the USA. *** As of Sebring 2010, central Florida light aircraft guru Mike Zidziunas — or simply “Mike Z” — will become the point man for Breezer Aircraft USA. And he’ll handle things differently from most LSA sellers. His plan is more like that used successfully by Cirrus. The source of the airplanes handles the whole country using representatives in various areas as touch points. “I feel that the conventional dealer network is ponderous and it’s difficult to control the quality of service,” expressed Mike. “To address service after the sale, when we deliver the airplane we offer as part of the purchase of the airplane a 5-hour FITS-style pilot training program.
Paradise P-1 Insured By Travers
Here’s some notes from a release sent to me from Chris Regis. *** His family’s Paradise Aircraft makes the all-metal P-1 SLSA, which I’ve featured here in the past. *** Paradise started in Brazil in 1985, and has its HQ and a big new factory there, as well as the U.S. presence which Chris wrangles along with his dad, Gen. Mgr. Paolo Oliveira. *** I also did a story then about Dylan Redd, a paraplegic young man who flies a specially-modified all-hand-control P-1. *** Chris is one of the people I look forward to running into at airshows. His constant smile and genuine, sunny disposition bring a lift to the heavy workload that shooting/flying/talking/writing at the shows often is. *** Back to Paradise, which has just partnered with Travers & Associates, an aviation insurance brokerage established in 1950. *** The company covers P-1s based in the USA with favorable rates.
Sebring Day Four: High, Wide and Sunny
After five days of hustle and bustle to get the talking, shooting, flying and writing done at Sebring (I’m an Air Force of One), I got a real treat: pal Dave Graham, who’s worked tirelessly since the beginning to bring the Gobosh line of LSA to America and get the two lovely low-wing models they represent on the map (Gobosh currently ranks 15th on Dan Johnson’s market list), offered me the left seat in a Gobosh 700S so up we went. *** We tooled around beneath the broken clouds in the waning yellow-orange afternoon light, chattering away about all things LSA, and life in general — real smell-the-roses time. *** Dave, a native of Ireland, is a well-read, very bright guy who’s got a clear pov about all kinds of things and is a tirelessly engaging conversationalist. *** He’s been a pilot for 20 years and is passionate about aviation, plain and simple.
Sebring Day Three: To The Max
Evektor USA’s main man Jim Lee took me up for an enjoyable float above the clouds today in the SportStar Max, the top-line evolution of the SportStar which won the first ASTM SLSA designation back at the beginning of the category. *** Above the line of scud clouds murking things up below 2500′ or so, we cruised around for awhile in smooth air, doing some stalls, playing with the TruTrak EFIS, enjoying the solid, easy handling of the bird, and talking about the simple joy of flying as we gazed down upon the beautiful green earth. *** I’ll be writing up my review of the Max for an upcoming issue. Meanwhile, more eye candy. *** (That’s Jim standing by the airplane). *** Attendance for the show seemed pretty good today, although no official numbers yet.
Sebring Day Two: Tecnam Throws Down The Gauntlet
61-year-old Italian aircraft manufacturer Tecnam has a whole fleet of LSA and general category aircraft at the show, serving notice they’re here to stay. *** At a reception tonight, U.S. Distributor Heart of Virginia and the Tecnam executive team, lead by CEO Phil Solomon, made a bold prediction: they intend the company to be the top-selling LSA maker by 2014. *** Everybody was drooling over the P2008 LSA so I asked Phil to educate me on the gorgeous high winger. *** “It blends a metal wing and Tecnam’s traditional expertise in building metal aircraft with a composite fuselage. The idea was to make the best possible plane they could along with the strength and lightness of carbon fiber. It’s also clear that people are getting larger around the world, so there’s definitely a premium on a wider aircraft. People wanted more luggage space too, and more luxury.” *** “That’s really what Tecnam is trying to address with the P2008: a top-of-the-range, ultimate LSA.
Enter the PiperSport!
Piper Aircraft’s Prez/CEO Kevin J. Gould made it official today at Sebring: the company has entered into a new, worldwide-exclusive distributor licensing agreement with Czech Sport Aircraft that will bring the SportCruiser to market – by April! – under the new name PiperSport. *** As I reported yesterday, Piper did not buy into the company as had been rumored. *** Piper representatives told me there will be some changes to the aircraft, such as refining control harmonies, to optimize its conformability to Piper’s long heritage of entry-level airplanes. *** But by and large, this is still the SportCruiser, which is a fine, Euro-proven design that is not only an excellent training airplane but most definitely a lot of fun to fly, and a dream to land. *** CEO Gould and other Piper personnel addressed a gathering of public and media to make the important announcement. *** Gould began his remarks by evoking the original Piper Cub, what he described as “one of the original ‘LSA’ aircraft of its time.” *** “Piper is entering what is undeniably one of the most exciting market segments in general aviation,” he continued.
Sebring Day Two: Flight Design Update
I was lucky enough to get Matthias Betsch, Flight Design’s CEO, all to myself for a few minutes and here’s what he had to say: *** General update: “A hard year but better than we expected. In the last two to three months, we’ve had quite a pickup. Here in the States dealers sold their stock so they have to buy more airplanes…they have to buy more so I think that is good!” *** The year ahead: “I don’t think we’ll get back to 2007-2008 this year, but I do think it will be a 30% recovery. The rest we will do in 2011.” *** On the new Flight Design MC: “It’s a different character. The LS is more sporty, speedy, responsive. The airplane feels much heavier than it is. That’s what we wanted: an airplane for flight schools which is very forgiving, easy to land, to fly. It’s also ideal for older pilots who are used to very stable airplanes.” *** MC vs.
Sebring Day Two: Breezer Notches Sale
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.
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