The Smooth and Long of the Phoenix LSA Motorglider

Jim Lee kindly brought his stunning Phoenix to my new home at Spruce Creek Fly-in.

Long 49-foot wings help Phoenix glide 30 miles on only 5,000 feet of altitude. Yes, the prop is stopped… and can be feathered for lower drag.

With the sunset glowing on her wings, Phoenix reveals a motorglider’s smooth, complex curves.

Yesterday, I was again grateful for my residence at Spruce Creek Fly-In, the large airport community near Daytona Beach, Florida. Why? Because after a lucky last-minute phone call, I zipped over to the airport restaurant and went flying with Jim Lee in his new Phoenix. *** Now, I’m a soaring enthusiast, so a LSA motorglider already starts well up my wish list. But this Phoenix, whew! She’s simply gorgeous with slippery compound curves and the handling is marvelous. *** Much more than simply a soaring machine, Phoenix climbs like the proverbial homesick angel and can cruise faster than many LSA. It also comes standard with two wing configurations — 49 feet stepping down to 36 feet — so you really get two airplanes in one. (Not only that, but if you need to put Phoenix in a hangar, you can remove the long wingtips to squeeze down to a 34-foot span, hardly any wider than a “standard” LSA.) *** Inside the cockpit, the 43-inch wide space is handsomely appointed and you have a few controls and an instrument not typically found in LSA. You have some prop controls — get the full LSA Glider explanation to understand how this works. Plus any self-respecting soaring pilot wants a variometer to find lift; Phoenix provides this with a small instrument that also makes sounds that allow you to keep your eyes outside the cockpit. *** You’ll want to pore over the specifications and I’ve only given a brief review here. I hope to fly Phoenix again soon when we can explore soaring conditions. But here’s a few tidbits: • glide 32:1 • power cruise 115 knots • stall 38 knots • useful load 612 pounds • range 900 nm (power on). *** Phoenix isn’t cheap, but you get a lot for the money. Base price is presently $149,000 including those wing extensions that give Phoenix two distinct (yet pleasant) personalities. When luxuriously outfitted with a highly readable EFIS, autopilot, airframe parachute, radios and transponder, Phoenix can hit $165,000. Those who have investigated motorgliders will see this as modestly priced. You don’t get these lines and this kind of performance for a bottom-dollar price. She’s a specialty aircraft but since Lamabada left the scene, Phoenix occupies this special space all by her lonesome. Jim has a long list of good prospects so I wouldn’t wait too long to check out this Czech beauty. I know I’m in love; my attempt at photos doesn’t do her justice.