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.
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.
In A Sling – And Happy!
The more I look into the story about those two wild and crazy South African dudes (post below) who flew around the world in the LSA of their own design and manufacture, the more interesting it gets. *** Just heard back from James Pitman who offered this: *** “We’re just getting into production at this instant here in SA and will deliver the first 20 planes to local buyers. We absolutely intend to be in the US thereafter – hopefully commencing in the second half of this year. We have an established close friendship with Matt Liknaitsky, who is the distributor for MGL Instruments in the States, and we’ll be getting help and advice from him on how to best serve the US market…Thanks for the good wishes for the year – we’ve got a hang of a lot of work ahead of us, but we’re excited about the prospects and are having a good time, both working and flying.” *** Can’t do much better than that, eh?
Around The World In 40 LSA Days
Last July I ran an item on the grand LSA adventure of two South Afrikaaners, James Pitman and Mike Blyth, who set out to fly around the world — in an LSA! *** Happy to report the boys finished the epic flight, all 45,150 km (27,090 miles) with a stop at EAA Airventure 2009 to boot – in 40 days! *** One memorable highlight: two friends of the pilots greeted the return landing in Full Monty mode: they waved large South African flags, wearing boots…and nothing else! (check out those merry buffsters in the photo). *** The story was just carried on the official Johannesburg, S.A. website, written by Makoena Pabale. *** Anybody who doubts the durability and utility of LSA, take note: the chariot of choice was the Sling, built by The Airplane Factory right in Joburg. *** BTW: the company is their own startup, and the Sling is their first design.
Hangin’ In The Mall — A Fable For 2010
Once upon a time, there was a purveyor of flying machines and a trainer of pilots in the great kingdom of Texas that wondered why more people hadn’t come to fly the Planes of Sport. *** “I have an idea,” said the Duke of U.S. Aviation Group. “Let us sally forth to the local market mall at the waxing of the moon, and offer Flights of Discovery for one full moon cycle. Only then, if we still have unsatisfactory student numbers, shall we moaneth our dire and hopeless fate.” *** And so his loyal band of sky serfs and flight vassals transported a Remos GX to a busy mallway, manned the booth with eager promoters night and day, and lo and behold, one moonth later, the Duke was happy to report that 170 Flights of Discovery had been sold, along with 130 leads on partnerships as well as several potential solo purchasers.
Winter Ops
I’m sitting at my desk, gloom and doom outside the window as the snow flakes fall, wishing I had one of these: a Legend SkiCub. *** I confess I succumbed to a nostalgic moment, remembering the wonderful trip I had with Darrin Hart and the boys from the Legend factory in Texas down to Sun ‘n Fun in Florida a couple years back. Wish I had a Cub nearby on skis, because right now, that’s a stylin’ way to go. *** Glad to see Legend’s hanging in there through the tough economy.
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