American Legend is, well… already a legend in the world of Light-Sport Aircraft. With this Super Legend, the Texas company has installed the new Lycoming O-233. At 115 horsepower, the Legend Cub will be much livlier, great if you also want to add floats. The new Lycoming is a multi-fuel engine so you don’t have to use only 100LL avgas. To accommodate the greater weight of the engine, American Legend took numerous steps to lighten the aircraft. See what items in this video.
Bristell is a new Light-Sport Aircraft name and a handsome bird it is. Our video will take you through some of the many carefully considered details but it’s worthwhile to know that this is a fifth-generation design. Creator Milan Bristela was deeply involved with the SportCruiser/PiperSport and after leaving that company worked on other similar designs. Come have a look and watch for a mini pilot report on this website.
We literally shoot the Breese in this video as we examine a very special single seater from M-Squared. This owner built example has numerous unique features to it that we look at in detail. But the main ingredient may be the dual turbocharged HKS two cylinder four stroke engine that makes 80 horsepower, which in turn must make an extremely impressive performer out of the otherwise mild-mannered Breese SS.
In this video shot at the Sebring U.S. Sport Aviation Expo 2012, we speak with Scott Severen of US Aviation. Based in Dallas, Texas US Aviation is one of the fastest growing fixed base operators in the USA and thanks to Scott, they have a sharp focus on Light-Sport Aircraft with an entire facility dedicated to providing factory-authorized service for many leading LSA brands. Scott is a longtime player in light aviation with a multifaceted background.
In this update to the SportCruiser, for a time known as the PiperSport, U.S. Sport Aircraft boss Don Ayers tells about the new Classic model. Using standard instrument analog gauges – often referred to a “six pack” – the Classic can be delivered for a modest cost ($120,000 in early 2012). A more deluxe version is available with many bells and whistles.
Pipistrel, headquartered in Slovenia with U.S.-bound manufacturing done in nearby Italy, has a line of interesting models. In this video we examine the Virus SW, for Short Wing. We’ve previously reviewed the long wing version and the Sinus motorglider. In addition this company makes a powered sailplane and they started with weight shift trikes. Pipistrel has also distinguished itself with a string of victories in NASA efficiency contests, more recently winning an astounding $1.3 million.
Rainbow Aviation hails from South Africa, a long ways away. But in Wisconsin, Midwest Sport Aviation represents the far-off brand with local service. At the Midwest LSA Expo 2011 they announced a new dealer (Aero Sport Planes) and we discussed kits and fully built plus taildragger options for this remarkably low-priced LSA ($35,000 to $60,000).
Quicksilver has a simple enough product line composed of single seaters and two seaters for an MX line and GT line. Each has been highly successful and all have an enviable safety record. They also don’t cost much. All are kit aircraft like this one built by Steve Watt. The hours are low as the build manuals are some of the very best in the business. More than 15,000 Quicksilver models have been sold.
Kolb’s Firefly, developed several years ago, is a true-blue entry to the Part 103 ultralight rule. It was purpose-designed to accommodate a more powerful engine to meet customer interest, but to do so while staying within Part 103 254-pound empty weight mandate. It does! And with the legendary good Kolb handling paired with a more potent powerplant, here’s a low-cost option to keep you smiling after a day’s flying.
The biggest kit-aircraft builder of them all – Van’s Aircraft and their incredibly line of RV airplanes – entered the Light-Sport Aircraft arena with their RV-12. Here we take a look at the kit and its costs while designer Dick VanGrunsven sits on the wing nearby talking to customers. No surprise to anyone, Van’s is the biggest success story in Experimental Light-Sport Aircraft or ELSA.
We talked with Roger Dubbert about the whole line of Zenith aircraft, including the CH-701 STOL in kit form, the larger CH-750 in SLSA or kit, and the low wing CH-650. But we also looked at the UL engine that the Zenith folks fitted to their CH-650 design. See more about the engine HERE but listento Roger describe how Zenith regards this new entry.
In Shelbyville, Tennessee, two LSA companies are located side-by-side. The two are Jabiru USA and Arion. The former builds a line of high wing composite LSA lead by the J-230. The latter created and builds the sleek Lightning LS-1. In our review shot in 2011, we cover both companies and the Jabiru engine that powers both plus some other brands. Watch (rather than listen) for the correct web address for all companies, or click the link above the thumbnail photo on the LSA Videos page.
Another entry from the Czech Republic is the S-Wing from a company of a similar name. S-Wing USA is the American representative and we looked over their exhibit airplane at Sun ‘n Fun 2010. A newer design with 40 flying, mostly in Europe with a couple presently in the USA and more en route. Come inside with us to what may be the widest cockpit in Light-Sport aviation… a whopping 52 inches.
Nearly everyone who owns an airplane seeks insurance. Financing to buy a new aircraft makes insurance mandatory. Basically, you cannot fly an airplane without insurance any more than you can fly it without fuel. We spoke with longtime LSA insurance supplier Gregg Ellsworth, who gives us the positive message that he has more than a dozen insurance carriers and three new companies have entered the LSA insurance business recently. For more info, go to www.AIR-PROS.com
Terrafugia — a name that means escape from Earth — is the creator of the “roadable airplane” called Transition. The New England company has attracted wide media attention for its unique effort in the LSA space. With a growing order book, Anna Dietrick helps us learn where the project stands as of AirVenture 2011. Come have a look.
As a company Tecnam has several distinctions: they are one of the oldest light airplane producers, dating to 1948; they have more models of SLSA than any other company; and the Italian company has one of the broadest lines. Here we look at their sliding-canopy, low-wing Sierra P2002, a model with a great following around the world.
Quad City Ultralights of Iowa is one of the oldest suppliers of light aircraft, having celebrated their 25th anniversary in 2008. With more than 3,500 aircraft flying, Quad City is also one of the most successful. We examine their Challenger II Light-Sport Special model at AirVenture 2011 and speak with company founder, Dave Goulet, who remains in charge of the company since its founding.
Mark Bierle is one of the most talented designers I have ever met. The modest, soft-spoken Californian makes a line of the best-flying and genuinely light aircraft in the USA. He’s also worked in powerplant design and has now turned his agile mind toward electric power. We talk with him at some length about the advantages of electric-powered light aircraft and what Mark expects for the future.
MINI REVIEW — In what we expect to be the first of many more, we offer our first mini review of an aircraft. Longer reviews are available here on ByDanJohnson.com …just click on the link above any video still image to see what content is available. Plus, we’ll add more full-length video reports over time. Meanwhile, enjoy this short take on the much-admired Fk12 Comet biplane with aerobatic potential.
In the world of two stroke engines, Hirth Engines of Germany remain as one long-term supplier. The company has a large range of two stroke powerplants and a lengthy history in the business. At AirVenture 2011, we asked U.S. boss Matt Dander to help us view the entire line.
Comco Ikarus has a long history in Europe dating to the early 1990s. The company believes it is the largest supplier of flight school aircraft in Europe’s largest economy, Germany. Their current development is a higher gross weight edition of the composite exterior C42. New U.S. representation could reignite sales of this sweet-flying, light-weight LSA.
AirBorne is one of the world’s most established and successful light aircraft producers. They build a top-selling line of weight shift aircraft commonly known as trikes. They also build a line of well respected hang gliders. At the lower-speed end of the spectrum, AirBorne is a major player. However, their XT 912 is no slow poke, achieving nearly 90 mph of speed. AirBorne builds a solid, secure aircraft; let’s have a look.
Flight Design has lead the Light-Sport Aircraft market since Day One, selling variations of its all-carbon fiber CT series including the present-day CTLS. The MC is the German company’s new all-metal airplane. MC stands for Metal Concept. With conventional construction, repairs are easier and many mechanics are familiar with working in aluminum. This brings flight schools to look at MC, but a lower price attracts everyone.
Quicksilver is arguably THE most successful light plane manufacturer of all time. More than 15,000 have been delivered to more countries than any brand. Still available for around $20,000 the 40-80 hour kit may be the best organized of any kitplane. The company also makes the GT series and the GT-500 was the first-ever Primary Aircraft to be certified. For open cockpit fun flying at a low cost, Quicksilver is nearly impossible to beat.
Pipistrel has a wide variety of Light-Sport Aircraft from trikes (where they started long ago) to powered sailplanes to motorgliders to more conventional fixed wing aircraft. In this video we examine the Sinus (pronounced SEEN-us) in taildragger configuration – it is also available in tricycle gear. This impressive company earned SLSA status for three models earlier in 2011 and they are moving up the sales charts.
FULL-LENGTH VIDEO PILOT REPORT — After well over 100 shorter-length video reports on Light-Sport Aircraft and other Sport Pilot-eligible flying machines, Dan Johnson and the Light Sport and Ultralight Flyer are pleased to offer our first full-length pilot report. Here you’ll find 45 minutes of flying footage and detail commentary that can help decide which airplane you want to buy. Grab a beverage, sit back at your computer, mobile device, or TV and enjoy this ground-breaking review of the new Evektor Harmony LSA. (Run-time: 45 minutes)
New engines come along rarely and even more rarely are accepted by the marketplace. One that has garnered early positive feedback is the UL Engine. Available in different sizes, it also offers different displacements and varying compression to delivery a variety of horsepower ratings. A modern engine the UL Power series even come with FADEC or Full Authority Digital Engine Control. As of fall 2011, some 300 engines have been delivered; 30 in the USA.
When the Sport Pilot / Light-Sport Aircraft rule (SP/LSA) was released in summer 2004, it contained a provision for pilots (Sport Pilot certificate), for aircraft (LSA definition and ASTM standards), but also for mechanics (Light-Sport Repairman-Inspection or -Maintenance). The video contains some charts with more detail. In the video I mistakenly referred to the LSR-M rating as “Mechanic.” I meant to say “Maintenance.”
Wicks Aircraft is one of the legacy catalog mail order companies in aviation. Operated by Scott Wick, the company is a fixture at all the major airshows. We caught up with Scott, working his booth as always, at the Midwest LSA Expo in September 2011. Scott talks to us about what products are causing Wicks Aircraft to be having a strong year despite economic weakness.
Terry Raber has returned with his charming Aerolite 103. He left the business for a time and another man tried to replicate the creation. Now, Terry is back under his Streamline (as in add-on strut fairing) brand. Aerolite 103 is a remarkably well-equipped genuine Part 103 ultralight vehicle that you can buy and fly for about $15,000 though you’ll want to get up-to-date information.
Valley Engineering does it all. They fabricate and build one and two seat airplanes, they carve their own props (under the well-known Culver brand), and they fashion their own four stroke engine (based on the Generac generator engine). Perhaps it is doing all this that allows the Smith family to offer unique, well-flying, and very reasonably priced airplanes. In this video we check out their Part 103 model, the Backyard Flyer.
FK Lightplanes is known to Americans for its foldable high wing, the FK9. Now the German company and its importer Hansen Air Group is offering their unique folding biplane, the FK12 Comet. Popular in Europe for years, the FK12 offers aerobatic flying capability… but only after the Lycoming O-233 engine is installed. Catch the details on this video.
A new SLSA debuted at AirVenture 2011. Welcome to the World Aircraft Company Spirit, a product from a collaboration between Skykits manufacturer Eric Giles and longtime designer Max Tedesco. Giles is a Canadian now located in Paris, Tennessee and he’s partnered with a Columbian engineer. Spirit is their first offering; it will be built in the U.S.
A vintage ultralight from the 1980s, the Lazair, returns in the hands of original designer, Dale Kramer, who has now removed the two small gasoline engines and replaced them with electric motors and batteries. Our video provides the details of how Kramer reformed his design and how crowds at AirVenture 2011 responded to the surprise debut.
The Sebring U. S. Sport Aviation Expo — or simply Sebring LSA Expo, as many call it — is the main event for Light-Sport Aircraft in the United States. Occurring in January in Sebring, Florida, the event has grown into the year-opening event for aviation and attracts nearly every producer and importer in the LSA industry. It’s a must-go for thousands and we help tell you about the next event.
In the Light-Sport Aircraft space, buyers are faced with several options… and not panel or engine options. In this video we explain the differences between SLSA (Special Light-Sport Aircraft), ELSA (Experimental Light-Sport Aircraft), and EAB (Experimental Amateur Built). The bad news? It’s a bit confusing. The good news? Buyers have lots of choices. We demystify the different categories.
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