One of light aviation’s standard-bearers is the Kitfox. With more than 3,000 flying worldwide, this kit success story is now available as a ready-to-fly Special Light-Sport Aircraft than can be and is used in taildragger flight schools. This video looks at a very clean example of a Kitfox that does flight training for tailwheel and back country operations. We talk with company owner John McBean and the flight school operator, Paul Leadabrand.
One of the sweetest flying Light-Sport Aircraft is the S-19 Venterra, the third ASTM-standards-meeting LSA from longtime kit producer, Rans. Available in kit or ready-to-fly form, S-19 is a low wing all-metal side-by-side design that will please any owner but can also work well as a flight school trainer. Designer Randy Schlitter has developed a strong and loyal following for his creations, of which this is (you guessed it) #19.
At the Midwest LSA Expo 2010, we started something new using multiple aircraft and offering their differences and similarities. Here we look at five composite high wing LSA: Sirius TL-3000; Jabiru J-230; CTLS; FK-9 Mark IV; and Navigator 600. If you’re in the market for a high wing, this video may help show your choices and help you make a purchase decision.
From the one company with both low and high wing all-composite Light-Sport Aircraft comes the new high wing Sirius from American importer SportairUSA. This Arkansas-based company is better known for the low wing Sting but the Sirius is the newest. We take you on a tour of the slick model with SportairUSA’s Bill Canino and provide lots of descriptive information.
M-Squared continues a tradition of simple but well-built open cockpit “ultralight” aircraft. I used quotation marks as M-Square now sells SLSA and ELSA models, but also continues to make the Part 103-capable single seater that you can fly without a pilot’s license of any kind plus no medical and no N-numbers required. Freedom in flying was never so obvious or delightful.
The sleek Dynamic… it turns heads where ever it shows up and Sebring 2010 was no exception. First appearing in the USA as a retractable aircraft, this video review looks at the straight-legged SLSA model that appears to lose none of its speedy lines. Beautifully finished, the all-composite Light-Sport deserves a closer look but we’ll show you around the basics.
The Legend Cub series — the best-selling SLSA since day one — is available in a variety of formats: regular land version, straight float version, amphib float version, and in kit-built form. Here we look at the Baumann float-equipped Legend Cub and we like what we see with these mechanically-actuated floats (no hydraulic weight).
The S-6 is one of the best-proven and most familiar airplanes among all SLSA and it comes from one of the very top American kit producers, Rans, Inc. Available as a kit or ready-to-fly, the S-6LS is also highly affordable starting at $63,000 reasonably well equipped. A kit starts at $20,000 so Rans can offer something for almost everyone.
Without changing the model designation — it’s always been the Sportstar — Evektor has steadily evolved their all-metal low-wing aircraft. The model was the #1 aircraft to win SLSA approval, a distinction it retains forever, yet it changed to address customer interests. In this video we review some of the changes to the Max version, with its much-smoother exterior; see our other Sportstar videos for more info.
Powrachute is one of the largest producers of powered parachutes, with more than 1,500 aircraft flying. They make a line of one and two seaters, some loaded with accessories and features and some simpler but with agreeably-low price tags. Powrachute also offers Part 103 version with two engine choices.
At the end of 2009, only a select few knew Piper was entering the LSA sector. They announced the PiperSport in January and said they’d deliver the first at Sun ‘n Fun, only three months later. And they did… logging not only their first delivery on schedule, but taking seven more orders right at Sun ‘n Fun 2010. With over 100 SportCruisers (the PiperSport’s previous name) and expecting to sell 75 in 2010, Piper will move up the sales rank smartly. In this video, we check out the cockpit fully.
The latest from top producer, Tecnam of Italy, is this super handsome P2008. First seen at the 2009 Aero show in Germany, Sebring 2010 was the coming-out party for the P2008 in the United States. In this new SLSA model, we see the marriage of Italy’s all-metal skills to the composite capability of CAG, a Spanish company Tecnam bought to acquire their knowledge of such construction. And it worked! The smooth lines and Italian design make for one of the prettiest LSA in the fleet.
One the most proven airframe designs in all of Light-Sport Aviation is the T-211 series from Dallas, Texas-based IndUS Avation. In this video of the Thorpedo — the more powerful version with the Jabiru 3300 engine — marketing man Scott Severin helps us visualize the changes to make the airplane better accommodate larger occupants. In addition, they have an instrument-training panel that flight schools might find compelling.
Infinity was the first company in the Powered Parachute field to win Special Light-Sport Aircraft approval. Today, they make a line of aircraft from the $11,000 Part 103 model to a deluxe, top-of-the-line two seater with the 100-hp Rotax 912S powerplant that sells for $31,000 (both numbers in early 2010). You can also build an ELSA kit. This video walks you through the company’s entire line.
The Hawk series from CGS Aviation is one of our light aviation stalwarts. With more than 1,500 flying since 1983, Hawk is well established and enjoys a great accident record. It flies wonderfully but what may be Hawk’s best sales feature in these days of $130,000 LSA is the l-o-w price. Check the video (near the end) to hear price info.
Tecnam has no less than five SLSA models, the most of any producer, now that they added their handsome P2008 to the fleet. Bravo is their high wing cantilevered version and it’s a favorite among many for its enormous view, a full 360 degrees of vision and no struts to block the scenery. Bravo flies with the usual Tecnam natural feel and cruises toward the upper end of the LSA spectrum. In this video we’ll show you around inside and out.
As evidence of how fast things move in the world of Light-Sport, as recently as the Midwest LSA Expo, Piper was not affiliated with the Czech Sport Aircraft Sport Cruiser (formerly built by Czech Aircraft Works). This video, shot in early October 2009, covers the airplane now known to Americans as the PiperSport. References to the CSA website have been updated but the facts about this attractive low-wing LSA remain accurate.
Dynon Avionics has arguably become the largest supplier of LSA avionics in the form of computer screen displays of engine monitoring and flight instruments. At AOPA 2009, they introduced their impressive new SkyView synthetic vision system. In this video at Sebring 2010, we look at one of the first installations of this big-screen setup in the Flight Design CTLS.
The Italian design from ICP is the Savannah, one of the best performing STOL (Short Take Off and Landing) Light-Sport Aircraft. Skykits is a formerly Canadian company recently moved to Tennessee and they build major components from ICP into no less than four finished versions called the regular Savannah, VG, ADV, and Skykits special variation, the Rampage.
Super 2 was first seen as a British aircraft and indeed, that’s where I first flew it. Now it is a Made-in-America design under the direction of Tony Dawson of North Carolina. His company is Opus Aircraft and this Special Light-Sport Aircraft won approval in February 2008. It’s swept forward wings, aft hinging canopy, and reverse link nosewheel suspension are just some of the differences of this interesting aircraft.
The first airplane to sell at Sebring 2010 was this Breezer II. What a fitting way to start off the new U.S. import and distribution operation handled by industry veteran Mike Zidziunas (everyone calls him “Mike Z”). Breezer is an German-built, all-metal SLSA that flies beautifully and has a new cockpit interior. Breezer Aircraft USA — not the web name as mistakenly stated in the video — will be based at Plant City, Florida, near the home of Sun ‘n Fun.
Our first “performance tandem” joins a fleet of seven other tandems in the LSA space, but this One is meant to get up and be gone… in a hurry. Slim in frontal area and powered by the mightiest of ASTM-certified engines — the 120-hp Jabiru 3300 — MS One ought to hit the 120-knot limit of Light-Sport Aircraft. Designed and built in the USA near Daytona Beach, Florida, MySky expects first shipments in November 2010.
All the way from Brazil comes a sharp little airplane called the Quasar, which will remind some visitors of an earlier American design of a similar name. Designers are creating carbon surfaces to replace dope & fabric coverings and will then complete their SLSA approval. Powered by the HKS four-stroke engine, Quasar Lite feels like a sports car.
Belite Aircraft bought the design rights for the single place, Part 103 design formerly known as the Kitfox Lite. The Kansas company did more than simply rename the aircraft, however. They also moved from aluminum tubes and wood ribs to carbon fiber elements and made numerous small changes to keep the aircraft with Part 103 weights. The video explains a few of the new options now available.
An exciting announcement at Sebring 2010 brought legacy brand Piper Aircraft into the Light-Sport Aircraft fold. The Vero Beach producer of more than 90,000 airplanes reported it will now distribute the former SportCruiser and they renamed the model as the PiperSport (at the opposite end of their spectrum from the PiperJet). Watch the video to see what Plane & Pilot editor James Lawrence thought of his experience with the newest Piper.
With Special Light-Sport Aircraft #1 from the biggest general aviation producer, Cessna showed off Rose Pelton’s very own aircraft that she flew to Sebring from Wichita. The wife of company CEO, Jack, this is Rose’s own airplane and she was kind enough to let us show you around it. Jump inside with us as we show you around the 1,000+ selling Skycatcher.
The leading seller of Light-Sport Aircraft is Flight Design and CTLS is their third-generation of the popular CT series. Not only geared to American pilot interest, CTLS added many new features including a more spacious cabin with greater visibility (though it was already huge). CTLS comes standard with a full glass panel, ballistic parachute and more.
This video is not about a single aircraft but about the entire fleet of Light-Sport Aircraft … and the business organization that supports the producers of such aircraft. In this presentation, UltralightNews interviews Dan Johnson, president and chairman of the board for LAMA. Go to the updated LAMA.bz website to obtain more information including further details on membership and its privileges.
RANS is one of America’s largest light aircraft producers, and has been so since 1983. Among their many designs are no less than three Special Light-Sport Aircraft and the S-7LS is one them. Also available as a kit, the ready-to-fly S-7 is a joy to fly. A tandem seater with huge wide doors on both sides, S-7 works well as a floatplane. Other RANS SLSAs include the S-19 low wing and the S-6 high wing side-by-side.
The Jabiru J170 is the “little brother” to the larger J230 and J250 series also from Jabiru USA. While the larger models evolved from the four seater Jabiru (Australia) kit — without the two extra seats, of course — the J170 evolved from the original two seater kit. But it still has plenty of room inside and is easily pulled through the air by the four cylinder, 85-hp Jabiru 2200 engine.
An all-American design, the Just Aircraft Highlander is more than “just” an aircraft. Here’s a rugged taildragger that can carry quite a load and can land on unimproved airstrips… or perhaps alongside that trout stream you always wanted to fish. Beyond its utility, Highlander is roomy to let you sleep in it. (Note: Contrary to my memory test on camera, I do have a pilot report on Highlander.)
The American Legend Cub is… well, a legend in Special Light-Sport Aircraft. The iconic Cub look is well captured by this Texas company that has owned the #2 sales spot (#1 among American companies) since the first LSA flew in 2005. Legend has developed engine choices, offers floats, and even has a kit program.
CubCrafters is a well-established company that retores vintage Cubs, makes the FAA Type Certificated Top Cub, and is one of our LSA market leaders with their SportCub. This may look like a replica Cub but is actually a thoroughly modern version as evidenced by significant use of carbon fiber to stay with the LSA empty weight limit.
Aerotrek is the new name for a pair of Special Light-Sport Aircraft, the tricycle gear A240 and the taildragger A220. These reasonably priced aircraft (mid-$60,000 range) offer a good cruise in a lightweight, quick handling aircraft. The wings fold easily so you can make a trailer your hangar.
Evektor is the No. 1 brand in the LSA fleet, and it earns that title by being number one to earn SLSA approval back in April 2005. It’s also one of the most well-used LSA in flight schools around the country. Now, they are selling their new Max model, with several desirable enhancements and features like toe brakes.
Tecnam, one of the most successful manufacturers in the LSA industry, makes several models of which one of the newest is the Eaglet. Introduced in 2008, the Eaglet is an amalgam of their Echo Super and Bravo high wing models. Based on their natural handling, good performance, and long company history, Eaglet is worth a closer look.