The Italian Groppo Trail is now available in the U.S. The high-wing light-sport or amateur-built kit features tandem seating, all-metal construction, and wings that are foldable in less than five minutes by one person.
Experimental Light-Sport (ELSA) and amateur-built kits are available starting at $28,250. The ready-to-fly Special Light Sport (SLSA) Trail is available for $79,900. Ready-to-fly ELSA are available starting at $74,900.
Available in the U.S. through Lone Palm Aero of Bushnell, Florida, the Trail was designed by Italian engineer Nando Groppo.
The SLSA and ELSA versions are powered by the Rotax 912 ULS 100 hp engine. The airframe is of aluminum stressed-skin construction, with a welded chrome-moly cockpit cage.
The single piece aluminum landing gear and standard tundra tires make the Trail suitable for off-airport excursions. The utility of the Trail can be expanded with the addition of a belly pod. After a fun day of flying, one person can fold the wings in less than five minutes without draining the fuel, to share a hangar, push it into the barn, or trailer it home, according to company officials.
The Trail will be at AirVenture in the North Display Area, Booth #642.
Ing. Nando Groppo SRL is based at Mezzana Bigli, Italy. The owner and chief engineer, Nando Groppo, has been designing aircraft since 1982.
Lone Palm Aero is based in Bushnell, Florida. It sells and supports the Groppo Trail, provides repair and restoration services for experimental aircraft, and offers building services for experimental light sport and ultralight aircraft.
For more information: LonePalmAero.com
After flight, how can I tow this bird to my home driveway. If towing this bird is no problem, how about long distance towing for my trip?
They DID get the “nose wheel” on the right end – Tail draggers rule !! The “nose wheel” (AKA training wheel) doesn’t hold up too well off-road, like where the tundra tires make a difference.
I like it!
Dang it!! The nose wheel’s at the wrong end.
Click on the LonePalmAero.com link above. They have a version with the nose wheel at the “right” end as well.
Ah, then the sun does still shines. (On those of us who are tailwheel challenged.)
Thank you