In this video shot in September 2011, LAMA president Dan Johnson discusses the ASTM certification used to certify Light-Sport Aircraft. Specially, the industry organization is encouraging manufacturers to show evidence of their annual internal audit to openly demonstrate that not only are LSA fun and worthy aircraft but they meet a high level of quality. The subject is a little dry but very important.
Kolb is one of the most familiar brands to anyone involved with ultralight or light kit aircraft. Every model they created was a taildragger. They were easy to learn but some folks simply prefer tricycle gear. So, Kolb added a nose wheel, but they left the tailwheel. Welcome to the aircraft that goes both ways… a little differently.
The Direct Fly Alto 100 sold by Corbi Air has something different and very cool installed. In this case, “very cool” means literally air conditioning, the first ever system for a Light-Sport Aircraft. Additional video reviews describe the FlyCool system in other Light-Sport Aircraft. Here we examine the Alto 100 from Corbi Aviation. The airplane is a cool design; now it’s cool inside even on hot days.
Video viewers like collections of LSA where we look at several different models and review their differences. In this edition shot at the 2011 Midwest LSA Expo, we bring in representatives from each company to help with the details as we tour five models in a circle: Zlin Savage iCub; FK12 Comet; Rans S-7 Courier; CubCrafters CarbonCub SS; and American Legend Cub. Note that this video runs 25 minutes.
The LSA Tour is an idea to bring the airshow to the visitor, rather than asking them to trek across the country to visit one of the major airshows. Following the success of the LSA Mall at events, the LSA Tour positions several top brands in close proximity to allow broad access to the representatives of these Light-Sport Aircraft. The LSA Tour has been all over the country; this video talks about the event in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
From Aeroprakt in Kiev, Ukraine comes this Light-Sport Aircraft with the hugest visibility you’ll find… large clear areas allow you to see almost any direction. Aligned with their Florida assembler, Aeroprakt America, the international company that has designed many practical aircraft offers direct U.S. representation in addition to other outlets. Come have a look around the A-22 with us in this video.
Renegade Aircraft has been working hard, in conjunction with Lycoming engines, to prepare the Renegade (formerly known as the Falcon) for the first-ever installation of the lightened O-233 Lycoming powerplant. As this video is posted to ByDanJohnson.com, that engine install has been completed and final evaluation is proceeding. Hear more with proprietor Doc’ Bailey in this video.
The Ibis Magic is one we looked at earlier, when it had just come into the USA for the first time. By Sun ‘n Fun 2011, the folks at Apollo Aircraft USA had finished the assembly and were well through the pursuit of Special Light-Sport Aircraft approval. In this video we spoke with Phil Mednick (of Apollo Fox fame) and he showed us around the impressively equipped Ibis (EYE-bis) Magic, designed in Columbia.
If you love long, shapely wings, here’s an airplane to warm your heart. But it’s more than an LSA airplane… in fact, it’s a motorglider and a most impressive one at that. For soaring enthusiasts Phoenix is one of the most attractive choices among all Light-Sport Aircraft. But it can cruise fast and long while providing a huge safety measure of a very long glide in the unlikely event her engine should fail. See standard multiple wings and more in our video presentation of Phoenix.
The Maverick is… well, a maverick among Light-Sport Aircraft. This unique flying car is one of the most unusual entries in a chock-full LSA field yet it stands out in numerous ways. And, amazingly, I-Tec’s Maverick has already won Special Light-Sport Aircraft approval. It also leaped ahead of competitors by qualifying as a “kit car,” which means it does not need to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Standards. It’s so different you’ll want to visit their website after you view the video.
LSA America is now the builder of the #3 Light-Sport Aircraft to win approval as a Special Light-Sport Aircraft. Recently a new factory opened in Littleton, North Carolina (thanks to financial support from the state among other sources) and new Allegro LSA are starting to roll off the line. In this video we’ll update the situation for the newest U.S.-based manufacturer of LSA. The video was shot just before the new factory opened.
Fisher Flying Products is one of the most prolific kit manufacturers in the industry, certainly as measured by the sheer number of models available. The former U.S. company was sold to Canadian ownership in 2009 to allow continued production of these highly affordable kits. For less money and less work than you might expect, Fisher probably has an aircraft you could enjoy.
Kolb Aircraft is one of the most successful of light aircraft or ultralights among all companies. Now under stable new ownership and management, the much-loved brand is ready for a revival following the economic downturn of the mid-2000s. To hear the latest, we spoke with Brian Milborn at Sun ‘n Fun 2011 at the company’s display in Paradise City.
You may not know the Nynja, but you probably have heard of the Sky Ranger. They are almost the same but with some nice updates to the newer model. No, it isn’t from Japan, instead having the French heritage it always had but with new U.S. representation from Tony Berman. Come with us to check out this modestly-priced kit that provides plenty of flying fun.
AirBorne has emerged as the leader of the weight shift control (“trike”) manufacturers serving the U.S. market. From Australia, the brand has earned both Aussie certification and Special LSA status for multiple models. To tell us more and to describe his TrikeFest fly-in right before Oshkosh each year, we spoke with Mike Hudetz at the Midwest LSA Expo 2010.
Breezer Aircraft now offers a kit version of their all-metal Light-Sport Aircraft. The German company relies on support from American importer Mike Z, who shows us around the new money-saving opportunity in the LSA space. Not too many kit LSA are available yet (with a few notable exceptions like the Van’s RV-12), but here’s another entry.
In this April 2011 video, LAMA president Dan Johnson reviews some of the key activities of the association that shows how it assists the fast-growing industry of Light-Sport Aircraft. Hear about LAMAsafety.org, a new website to help owners and mechanics find important safety information and much more.
Paradise has found success from buyers to rise into the top 20 of LSA manufacturers. While the company has changed U.S. distributors, the Brazilian base for this attractive all-metal, yoke-controlled aircraft is healthy and growing. We spoke with the designer and learn more about the large-cabin airplane at Sun ‘n Fun 2011.
Skykits – formerly of Canada, now of Paris… Tennessee, that is – has offered a series of Italian STOL designs, which they assembled north of the border. These days a U.S.-based company, Skykits branched off with their own design, this gleaming Rampage. Not only does Rampage look terrific in navy blue over highly-polished aluminum, it offers short-field flying capabilities and more. Come inside and have a look with us.
One of the biggest splashes – literally and figuratively – in the Light-Sport Aircraft industry was the entry of California’s Icon A5. The super sleek LSA design is new nose to tail, wingtip to wingtip. In fact, no one ever saw anything quite like the A5. Mainstream media has fallen in love with the distinctive design. Join us for our LSA Insider view.
You may know the Zlin Savage, now distributed in America by SportairUSA (the same folks that bring you the Sting, Sirius, and other cool light airplane gear). But iCub improves on the already great-flying Savage by adding the very latest of new technology. The primary instrument up front is an Apple iPad. Communicating via an onboard wireless system, the aft seat occupant has an iPhone 4 for smaller but otherwise nearly identical instrumentation.
Among many of the world’s deluxe trikes, Evolution Trikes’ Revo rises to the top of the stack. The all-American-made hot rod is loaded with custom-designed features that should attract the closest examination. Revo also performs like a winner with blazing top speed yet reassuring landing approach speeds. The sophisticated carriage handles rough fields with ease.
At AirVenture 2010, we took a close look at Light-Sport Aircraft builder Dave Jilanti’s Lightning LS-1, an early example of a sleek low-wing built as an Experimental LSA. This handsome quasi-homebuilt is one of three ways you can own the Lightning, an all-American, all-composite Light-Sport of impressive performance from Arion based in Shelbyville, Tennessee.(Note: I incorrectly referred to “Don” instead of Dave Jilanti as the builder.)
The energetic folks behind the ApolloFox and the extraordinary Evolution Revo (weight shift trike) are now representing the Columbian-designed Ibis Magic. An all-metal LSA, the Apollo team has elected to fully load it with a large new glass display from MGL, autopilot, emergency airframe parachute, and more. Here’s a new one you’ll want to examine soon.
Tomark Aero’s Viper SD-4 is a handsome all-metal low wing with a wide, distinctively-appointed cockpit. The new entry features conventional lines and familiar construction materials. Viper’s back-swinging canopy brings huge visibility and the cockpit appears to be focused on comfortable cross country flying. Tomark uses CAD design and CNC precision cutting methods to make this well finished LSA. US distribution is handled by Tomark Aero USA, located in Frisco, TX.
Lots of folks saw a vaguely familiar airplane at the Midwest LSA Expo 2010… but, like myself, we looked and looked again and couldn’t quite place the airplane. It turns out what fooled all of us initially was the installation of a 120-hp Jabiru 3300 under a new more aggressive cowling. Flying this airplane at the event, I came away a believer. I’ve always loved the S-19 (like most Rans models) and with this smooth-running powerplant, I found even more to enjoy. Come hear more details in our video.
The Gobosh company, which recently acquired new ownership based out of Denver, Colorado, established itself as an importer of two fine low wing designs. Many LSA enthusiasts already know about the Gobosh 700, an all-metal design. Now, our video camera takes a series of views of a sleek all-composite Gobosh 800 as seen at the Midwest LSA Expo in 2010. Come on along as we check out this low wing speedster.
Some have called this design the Jeep of the sky and one flight demonstration will tell you why. An examination shows the leading edge slats and an overall design intended for the shortest possible takeoff and landing (called STOL) and the second generation STOL CH 750 can provide that capability all day long. A well established design from a longtime supplier, about a kit a day leaves Mexico, Missouri including the company’s low wing Zodiac CH 650 design.
Criquet Storch is an unusual Special Light-Sport Aircraft… in many ways. It looks unusual, modeled as it is after the World War II-era Storch which achieved fame or infamy by rescuing Italian leader Mussolini from a mountain side during that conflict. The quite accurate replica is also unusual for its different flight characteristics. One look at the long, long gear legs tells you Storch is meant for another kind of flying. Our video provides some of the story.
Germany’s Fk Lightplanes is an unusually versatile supplier of Light-Sport Aircraft. This well established producer has a high wing (the Fk9), a low wing (the Fk14, with another one in development) and a biplane. The latter, called the Fk12 Comet is the focus of this video and the model has just landed on American shores. Get updated on the plans of importer Hansen Air Group as we speak with Mitch Hansen about a biplane available in various configurations.
Some years ago, an all metal Light-Sport Aircraft made its American public debut at the Sebring LSA Expo; this is the DirectFly Alto 100 represented in the USA by Corbi Air. This low wing design with its forward sliding canopy has been tailored specifically to the U.S. market, fitted with many American components to make maintenance easier, faster, and less costly.
Pipistrel is a European producer of a family of airplanes with very smooth lines and handsome shapes. Winner of the NASA efficiency flight prize a few years ago, we have a look at the Virus (pronounced “veer-us”) that won a big check but our review can significantly apply to the Sinus (“seen-us”) motorglider. And the company also offers the Taurus, a powered sailplane… all are remarkably sleek birds in the LSA space.
Price is important; no surprise. But you also want an aircraft that will deliver the enjoyment of flight. Lucky us; we have two models to show you that provide plenty of flying fun but do so at very modest cost. They’re simpler, sure. But these airplanes cost today what we thought LSA were going to cost back in 2003… and that’s pretty amazing. Come with us and take a look at the X-Air LS and the Rainbow Aircraft Cheetah.
The Topaz from Ekolot was viewed for the first time by Americans at the 2010 Midwest LSA Expo in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. We’ve seen this Polish company’s Junior before but not their top-of-the-line Topaz. However, around 100 are flying in Europe so it is not a brand new design. Come with us and have a look at this handsome aircraft with the snazzy auto-style interior.
At the 2010 Midwest LSA Expo we did something new. We picked several aircraft of a similar description and pointed out their similarities and differences. This time we look at four all-metal high wing LSA: Rans Aircraft S-19 Venterra; Evektor Sportstar Max IFR, Van’s Aircraft RV-12, and the Breezer Aircraft Breezer II. If you’re searching for a high wing LSA, this video may help show your choices and help you make a purchase decision.
If you’ve tried flying with floats (or in a boat-hulled aircraft) you already know the appeal. Those who haven’t should check out the experience. You can do that by going to www.flyct.com, the website of Airtime Aviation in Tulsa Oklahoma where the CTLS Floatplane has been developed. Proprietors Tom Gutmann Sr. and Jr. offer seaplane instruction and sign-offs. Amphibious floats are fabricated by Claymar of Canada.