Looks like a Yak; flies like a Light-Sport. In this video we speak to Thierry Zibi of Canada who has been working on this design for more than five years. At previous Sebring events he had a booth and collected design input but at the 2013 event, he shows a full-size aircraft. A unique all-metal creation that is unique in its appearance, we asked some of the questions you might have.

Nando Groppo is a European company in business for several years with more than one model flying. In this video we look at the Trail, a tandem-seating, aluminum, fabric-covered tail dragger. One of the distinguishing characteristics of the Trail is a very simple and easy wing folding arrangement that can be done quickly by a single person without disconnecting any linkages. U.S. representatives expect to price the Trail modestly in the $85-90,000 range after they gain SLSA approval. A kit will also be offered.

Americans have formerly seen the Colyaer Freedom S100 amphibian Light-Sport Aircraft. The long-winged seaplane disappeared from the market after the first U.S. distributor left the business. Now with new representation that we’ll meet, Freedom will call the Lakeland airport home along with the Sun ‘n Fun organization. Spanish owner, Santi, will help us understand the Freedom better and we’ll hear more about their plans.

In this video we meet the new owners of Quicksilver, now called Quicksilver Aeronautics. This storied company based in southern California, has built more than 15,000 aircraft and in 2002 and 2003 delivered more aircraft than Cessna, Piper, and Beechcraft combined! Such an achievement suggests this company is around for the long haul and we’ll hear more about their plans and aircraft in this video. (We recommend you turn up your sound volume due to background noises.)

Sebring 2013 Video – Italian designs are usually pleasing to view, from shoes to airplanes. Golden Avio’s F30 is such an example and this one was created by a famous designer named Stelio Frati, creator of the handsome Falco F8L that is recognized around the world. Representative Luca Ferragatta explains the company’s plans for SLSA approval and we have a quick look at the aircraft.

Icon’s A5 has been so shrewdly promoted that the Southern California company has gathered nearly 1,000 delivery position orders. Some folks wonder if it will make it to market. In this summer 2012 video, we speak with CEO Kirk Hawkins and ask him about a new development — involving spin resistant airframe — that may have delayed production but produced some very interesting results that those waiting owners should love. Enjoy many flying photos while we talk.

Many of us have long admired the supersleek Lightning LS-1 and now it’s better than ever. We spoke to co-designer and company leader Nick Otterback about changes to the aircraft and also about Arion’s 2012 FAA very thorough audit. That’s good reassurance for buyers but what’s more fun is a newly enlarged tail. Nick tells us how this affects and improves an already great Light-Sport Aircraft (also available as a kit).

Here’s a bright Quicksilver Sprint you may want to tour with us. Owner/pilot Jason Pearson bought this very new-looking airplane ten years ago (the kit had been delivered ten years before that). Shortly after he bought it he took it all apart down to every single bolt. As he rebuilt, he made some customizations and additions. You can see it all as we have a close look at this 42-mph-cruising, open-cockpit light aircraft. still photo by James Lawrence

One of the most attention-getting aircraft at AirVenture 2012 was the Lisa Akoya, and no wonder. Akoya has design qualities and features not found on any other aircraft we’ve seen. After the airshow, the company announced new plans regarding financing so the future has some questions marks. Yet something this beautiful is going to emerge one day. Join us as we a tour of the eye-popping Akoya inside and out.

Sonex is one the world’s most successful kit aircraft producers and they do it all. Sonex makes several interesting airframes and we’ll have a look at them. Yet first we’ll have CEO Jeremy Monnett show us around their AeroVee engine. They sell kits, and the engine is also a kit, not that it takes too much time to assemble. Hear all Jeremy’s advice about powerplants and airframes from the Oshkosh, Wisconsin company that does it all and very well.

If you like Zenith Aircraft’s CH-750 STOL — widely regarded as a “Sky Jeep” – you’ve been able to buy and build for some years, but you had to purchase a kit after a related company, AMD, ceased operations. Now, Pete Krotje explains how he formed a new company, Tenn-Air, to fully build the CH-750. Powered by the energetic 120-hp Jabiru engine, this bird performs (I flew it earlier and can attest to its performance). Here about Pete’s plans to offer interested pilot a buy-and-fly model.

We speak with Greg Gremminger, the longtime importer of the Magni line out of Italy. Greg helps us understand the LSA rules for gyros (which have long been in contention) and shows us around his two birds at the Midwest LSA Expo in 2012. We look at the open cockpit, tandem seating M-22 Voyager model plus the newer side-by-side, fully-enclosed M-24 Orion model. These are kits but the build is modestly low. Have a watch and learn for yourself.

The Sebring U.S. Sport Aviation Expo, or the affectionate short hand “Sebring LSA Expo,” or even more simply “Sebring,” is THE show for Light-Sport Aircraft. It was the best ever in 2012… how good you say? Watch this video and find out plus hear about plans for the 9th Annual event in 2013. We speak with new show director Jana Filip who will provide the details and forecast.

The BOT Aircraft, represented by in the USA by Doc’ Bailey’s Renegade Light Sport Aircraft, is new to Americans but it may be embraced by Yankee flyers. Since new owners took over the German-based, they made numerous improvements to a formerly Poland-designed aircraft. Hear all the details on our video including the also-new-to-Americans D Motor, described as a lightweight, modern powerplant.

Plenty of aviators are fascinated with nostalic aircraft and World War I airplanes hark back to the very earliest days of flying. Airdrome offers a surprising 21 models — two of which can qualify as ultralight; the rest are experimental Amateur Built kits though all can be flown with a Sport Pilot certificate. More than 500 kits have been sold, 75 of which are completed and flying (the project is 300 to 500 hours). Two movies (Flyboys and Amelia) plus a TV show have employed Airdrome aircraft.

At AirVenture 2012, we got the chance to speak with Tine Tomascik, one of the expert design team from Pipistrel. Tine provides us with the company’s thoughts about their newly-introduced trainer the Alpha, which was warmly embraced by visitors to their Oshkosh exhibit. Pipistrel is already active selling this sweetly-priced Light-Sport Aircraft in other countries. Watch and hear why.

Evektor is, was, and always will be the very first Special LSA to earn an FAA airworthiness certificate in the United States. But this company has not rested on those noteworthy laurels. Evektor and their U.S. representatives, Dreams Come True and AB Flight, have continually upgraded the airplane. In this video Art Tarola details some new offerings announced at AirVenture 2012 to help flight schools acquire and maintain the SportStar or Harmony.

Come along with us as we check out the potent CubCrafters Carbon Cub SS with its 180-horsepower engine. You fly right with us as we put the SS through its paces including the energetic climb, slow flight, stalls, steep turns, and finally ending with a three point landing. Both takeoff and landing, while exciting, were not challenging, at least for someone with taildragger experience. See for yourself and hear the dialogue between Ben Redman of Rare Aircraft and Dan Johnson. TRT: 33 minutes

MIDWEST LSA EXPO 2012 — One of our series of many short videos from the fall show, this one on the new SAB Vulcan 100. Here is a fresh entry to the SLSA space, #127 on our popular SLSA List. We don’t often see brand new entries away from the big airshows but here’s one. Expected pricing on this all-metal aircraft is about $125,000. though kits may follow later. Hear more on this video.

MIDWEST LSA EXPO 2012 — One of our series of many short videos from the fall show, this one on the Flaeming Peregrine. This handsome low wing composite aircraft has been used to achieve a fast cross-the-USA flight in about 17 hours. This was done by some young pilots, one of whom benefited from the Able Flight schlolarship for disabled persons, a great project generously supported by Hansen Air Group, which sells the Peregrine and several other LSA.

MIDWEST LSA EXPO 2012 — One of our series of many short videos from the fall show, this one on the Kolb Firefly. In the very same month that FAA’s Part 103 turned 30 years old, we look at a legitimte Part 103 fixed wing design. The Firefly is mated to a stable of other popular Kolb airplanes that you build as a kit (though Firefly can legally be factory assembled or built for you by anyone).

MIDWEST LSA EXPO 2012 — One of our series of many short videos from the fall show, this one on the Challenger. Producer Quad City Ultralights is one of the most successful light aircraft kit producers in aviation with more than 2,500 aircraft flying and stable leadership of more almost 30 years of the same ownership. In this short video, we speak to one of their good local dealers, Jim Robinson, proprietor of Erie Airpark.

Sky Arrow, now available in blue and white (you hear the humor about “Any color you like…” on the video) from Magnaghi Aeronautica, the large Italian aerospace company that took over the Sky Arrow design and manufacturing after the previous company failed. This beautiful flying Light-Sport Aircraft was in limbo for a few years but Magnaghi rescued it. Sky Arrow has often been used for training disabled persons thanks to hand controls. Here what changed after Magnaghi took over.

Vertical Power makes electronic circuit breakers. Unsure what that means? Don’t feel alone, but join us with this video and learn what we learned. After hearing more about the ECB — which is more impressive than you think — we’ll move on to the VP 400 “Runway Seeker.” Now, this is something you might want in your LSA or homebuilt aircraft. If the stuff hits the fan, one simple button can make everything lots better. Still unsure? Well… watch this video and you can learn stuff you should know.