It is no surprise to anyone that aviation has become expensive. Some four-seat, single-engine airplanes retail for nearly $1 million! Those airplanes are fast, comfortable, and superbly equipped, but at those prices few pilots have a large enough budget to allow for purchase of a new aircraft.
The great news is that not all airplanes are so costly. While you may not cruise at 200 mph, an entire field of airplanes is available from $15,000 to $200,000. Yes, $15,000 for a ready-to-fly three-axis aircraft, with hundreds operating successfully. In the $65,000 to $150,000 Light-Sport Aircraft (LSA) space, many handsome choices are available.
Is an LSA still too pricey for you? Or, are you wary about an airplane that costs only $15,000? Well, how about something entirely new?
Chip Erwin is a name previously linked to the highly successful SportCruiser LSA. Hundreds are flying and that LSA has been copied very closely several times.
A restless entrepreneur, Chip has been working behind the curtain for several years. He emerged with the Zigolo ultralight and is now proposing a fresh name for a segment that seems to have genuine energy behind it.
I’ve reported on England’s new Single Seat Deregulated class, Germany’s 120-kilogram Class, and I have observed the rejuvenation of American Part 103 vehicles.
On a recent trip to China, I visited at length with Chip to see what he has in mind.
PSA: Personal Sport Aircraft
“Is ‘affordable aircraft’ an oxymoron?” Chip wonders. “For most people, probably yes. One answer could be a class of aircraft I like to refer to as a PSA, or Personal Sport Aircraft.”
Chip believes the term Personal Sport Aircraft offers potential for renewed interest in single place aircraft. He believes these can be priced far less than LSA, yet are not confined by the limitations of Part 103 ultralights.
What attributes does Chip use to describe a PSA?
- Retail prices between $32,000 and $45,000;
- 4-stroke aircraft engine or electric propulsion;
- Can be flown with a Sport Pilot license without a medical
- Fully enclosed with conventional aircraft style and construction
- Good performance and handling: Cruise about 100 mph, slow stall;
- Responsive handling;
- Intended for day VFR operation; and
- Appealing appearance.
At $30,000-$45,000 Chip observes a PSA may not cost much more than a Harley-Davidson or Honda Goldwing motorcycle, products that prove affordable for many.
“I should point out that a PSA, by my definition and by cost constraints, is necessarily a single-seat aircraft,” said Chip. “Making a PSA a two-seat aircraft would put us right back into LSA, where the engine alone costs $20,000, contributing to higher finished aircraft cost.”
Several of us discussing this subject believe a vast majority of non-transportation flights last around 45 minutes or an hour and are commonly flown solo.
“So maybe having only one seat is not a bad trade-off to save six figures,” Chip notes.
Additionally, “Many ‘significant others’ may be silently relieved that they would not be able to go flying in their spouses’ new toy.”
Seem unlikely? Consider Mooney’s Mite.
In the middle of the 20th Century, the Mite was designed by Al Mooney and was intended as a personal airplane marketed to fighter pilots returning from World War II. However, it was priced 20% higher than most of the two-seat competitors at the time.
Some experts think that had it been priced significantly lower than the two seaters it may have been a greater success. Nonetheless, Mite enjoyed a production run of 283 units, very respectable in today’s market.
“A few aircraft might presently fit a new PSA class, but they fail in some criteria,” said Chip.
He reports that many of the lightest aircraft must depend on two-stroke engines or are unattractive to many pilots. Some are still too expensive. Truly affordable aircraft can be found in Part 103 ultralights but, fine as some of these are, their appeal is also limited. For example, most are open cockpit designs.
A void in the availability of a dependable 40-60 horsepower four-stroke aircraft engine may be one reason we see few single seaters or PSA.
“Some development of new four-stroke engines is occurring,” Chip reports, “but the ones I’ve examined are heavier and provide less power than popular two-stroke engines.”
So How About Electric Power?
What works with electric propulsion today are low drag, lightweight aircraft that do not require much power to fly.
“A PSA is nearly perfect in definition,” stated Chip. “Heavier two-seat aircraft cannot offer the endurance, instilling ‘range anxiety,’ and are still too expensive. Until battery energy capacity increases significantly, electric power may be limited to PSA.”
Chip believes that new PSA designs must be able to carry enough battery to fly for an hour. “This is hard to do while meeting Part 103,” he noted.
Ideally, the motor should provide enough power at low RPM so as to reduce prop noise closer to electric motor noise. Since the field is new, designers must assure the entire system can be designed and integrated for safe operation.
“I have been researching electric power, a technology with huge potential, and I believe a PSA is the perfect place to start,” Chip said. “A new electric motor I am developing is designed specifically for aircraft use, meaning it has high torque, low RPM, light weight, and high reliability.”
“Concurrently a new battery system I am creating has one of the highest Lithium Polymer (LiPo) power densities commercially available and is integrated with the motor, controller, and battery management system to provide safe, reliable operation.”
Electric power can work well using a PSA with today’s technology. If properly designed, it should provide an endurance of more than one hour.
“Those who want to fly farther and faster could couple the electric motor with a small four-stroke aircraft engine for a viable hybrid,” he said.
As we’ve seen from fresh projects in Italy and Spain, plus media frenzy over Airbus’ eFan and related projects, hybrid may be a coming way to bridge the gap between gas-powered engines and pure electric.
The FAA may be pondering a new regulatory approach to electric propulsion, but Experimental Amateur Built (EAB) rules allow customers to build whatever they want.
“With a simple design and modern construction methods of matched-hole and jig-less assembly, build time can be measured in weeks, not years,” observed Chip.
Two aircraft projects Chip is developing function within Britain’s CAA proposed Single-Seat Deregulated (SSDR) rule that allows the sale of a finished single seat aircraft up to 315 kilograms (693 pounds) gross weight when equipped with an airframe parachute and a reasonable maximum stall speed of 35 knots (40 mph).
Currently, the USA has no electric-propulsion airworthiness other than EAB, but agencies see and often copy each other ideas, stimulating Chip to say, “UK’s SSDR plan makes a perfect PSA rule which I hope will spread to other countries.”
Increasingly it appears certain that the future will reward the development of viable electric, perhaps with hybrid four-stroke power systems. Single seat airframes with modern construction and ramp appeal could be among the first success stories.
Let’s call them Personal Sport Aircraft.
As someone above has pointed out, the key market segment would be for new, younger pilots, beyond the pilot population that already exist.
For the PSA to sell, Chip must convince, low or zero time pilots, that they can learn how to fly and safely transition to a single place aircraft.
Fortunately, there are ways to do so. An student PSA pilot can start out in two place aircraft. Inevitably, he must take his first flight in the single-seat PSA. The risks and fears of those first couple of flights can significantly be diminished using tele-presence techniques used by First Person VIdeo RC modelers. First with an experienced “instructor” pilot at the controls, the student pilot can virtually “ride along” from the ground for some familiarization. Once the student finally takes to flight, an instructor pilot can monitor and advise from the ground using the same tele-presence techniques. The interaction between student and instructor would be very similar to teaching techniques used by single seat military pilots, except instead of being in a chase plane, one of the two are safely on the ground.
Anyway, I look forward to Chip’s progress. It’s a good direction for the younger crowd.
Nice article. amazing when you guys in the USA think flying is expensive, come on over to the UK and see what it costs! AV100LL is $2.85litre, Annual is about $4500 on a Warrior.
PS – I said ‘UK’ as ‘ENGLAND’ is only one country that makes up the UK. You guys over the pond keep forgetting that England, Ireland, Scotland & Wales make up the UK.
Thanks James. Here in the US, we are well aware of what it costs to fly in the UK and other parts of the world. It is simply prohibitive compared to the US, but one of our working tools to be successful in fighting to keep flying prices down in the US is to emphasize how prohibitive costs are abroad.
AOPA and EAA use this info as ammunition in an attempt to keep GA as affordable as possible while preserving GA’s positive impact on our local and national economies.
Should we be subject to your same misfortune, GA would virtually die overnight here in the US.
I for one would have to hang up my wings.
Having been a pilot since 1970 and an aircraft owner, I have seen a dramatic reduction of GA activity in the US due to price escalations and very little interest from potential young people.
As a result, whether in the UK, the USA or the rest of the world, GA is still expensive for the masses and it saddens me to see people drop out or show no interest due to economics.
Glad to see innovators like Mr. Erwin are still trying to tackle the affordability problem in aviation. It’s the single biggest hurdle we have to overcome to get new people into this market. Light sport helped at first, but then started worsening the perception of expense when prices quickly got up into the $200k neighborhood. A Carbon Cub is north of $200k. An Icon A5 is $189k. Toys that cost as much as houses… anyway, glad to see Chip Erwin taking another crack at affordability.
The “big bike” analogy is perfect, in my opinion. Target the price point of “affordable toys”: the $30k boat, the $35k motorcycle, the Miata, used Corvettes.
Aesthetics are going to be a key to market success. It’s gotta look “cool”. For exciting modern lines, see Icon, Bristell, the Snap aerobatic LSA, or the sleek and sexy Blackshape Prime. For classic cool, check out the Savage Bobber.
While the Bobber is within reach of someone with a decent job and good budgeting discipline, all those “modern” examples I listed are far too expensive as currently sold… but using the same aesthetic with a simple single-seater designed for affordability might get you some success. Younger adult professionals like myself (32 year old aero engineer) would be interested. The Skycraft SD-2 would be appealing if it hit more of this $30-$45k target. At $60k it’s getting unreasonable for a single seater. I’d love a Bristell or Icon, but $150k-$200k for a toy is utterly ridiculous. If I had $200k available, I’d be shopping for a nice used A36 Bonanza to haul my wife, kid, gear, AND the dog across the country. Or a well-appointed Super Cub. Something that’s actually *useful*.
Anyway, props to Chip, and I wish him great success in this endeavor! The more people targeting a lower cost of entry, the better.
Another good aesthetic inspiration is to look at is from the sportbike world. Ducati 1299R Panigale is a great example. Right in this price range, bought by thrill-seekers, who are either single or their spouse doesn’t care that there is no second seat.
Marketing: Icon has successfully ripped off Ducati’s most successful marketing style. Duplicate it shamelessly. You’re not targeting the traditional airplane owner. You’re trying to bring in a whole new demographic. As someone else posted, this needs to be aimed squarely at the GoPro generation.
If you really want to just rip something off, do the P-51D. Maybe remove the belly intake and you’re done. Even if new folks to aviation don’t know why they love it, they’ll definitely love it. And if they don’t, do we really want them anyway 🙂
I have been a Marine Corps Mech/winger but unable to get License or fly due to cost my bucket is to to paper up and hit the sky but as an unemployable Marine I need help in doing this any ideas let me know please.
as far as age and health I am damaged but was able to pass the DOT cert. to drive 18 wheelers and age is <60
Some commenters are missing the point. Look at how many motorcycle riders show up at the Sturgis rally. These are the kind of people Chip is talking about getting into aviation with this category of aircraft.
I do believe this is the correct direction to take in growing the pilot population, get them hooked on a relatively inexpensive single seater at first. Then, if the flying bug really takes hold they will naturally move up to larger aircraft.
How many people in your neighborhood do you know/see with a boat in their driveway that use in about 10 days a year? The money is there if the desire is created.
Well said!
Nice comments! Some more info: Wings remove quickly. New more streamlined cowl is already molded. Special ‘anodized-look’ paint is in R&D. Electric motor is finished and battery pack arrives in a couple days. The E-Plane container arrives this afternoon so the fun begins.
A low wing PSA is under construction as well. My totally new web site will be published next week with all new information and plenty of new photos.
Chip
Single place? No thank you. Part of the enjoyment of flying is sharing the experience with somebody else.
I’d be bored flying alone.
Solution: a nice used Cessna 150, Grumman AA1 (Yankee), or Piper Tomahawk can be had for less than $25K, can be flown at night, have 2 seats, have reliable aircraft engines that burn 6 gallons per hour and can carry some luggage. Oh yeah—they look nice too.
I love fly
I think this is a great concept and a great direction for development in GA. A Personal Sport Aircraft at relatively low cost could appeal to a generation of potential pilots who are looking to fly for fun without making a huge investment. The cosmetics of the Aeromarine PS may not be aggressive enogh for the GoPro crowd, but a different paint scheme and possibly reshaped cowling may help.
It looks like Chip Erwin is looking to avoid the “feature creep” that has turned so many LSA into mini luxury vehicles with corresponding high price. For this type of airplane, it’s better to keep costs down than to load it up with expensive nice-to-haves – including a second seat.
One key to success will be to aim at the best target market. This kind of plane isn’t likely to appeal to the old duffers who can’t renew their medical and think that the planes of the 1950s and 60s were the pinnacle of perfection. It would probably have better success among younger people who are looking for an enjoyable flying experience but want more than an open-seat ultralight.
At any rate, I’ll be following these developments with great interest. If marketed intelligently, PSAs could be a big part of the much-needed revitalization of General Aviation.
Old duffer here! My days of high and fast are over. I always thought the Mite was my ideal airplane,but I would consider this PSA.
No offense, but the Aeromarine fits in the ugly category of affordable airplane.
Why do so many designers design for ugliness?
The LSAs that look like real airplanes are Pipistrel, RV12, Lightning, etc.
Ugly is a deal breaker for me regardless of the price
A solar or hybrid one-seater is a great idea especially if it ends up looking like the Mite, has foldable wings for house storage like a bike or boat, and gets rid of airport noise complaints. Bring it on!
I bought a 2002 Alarus CH2000 for $20k gave it a little TLC and it starts every time all the time within a couple rotations of the prop. $800-1000 annuals, 4-5 gallons an hour, digital audio, GNS430 et al… I love it and couldn’t afford something more demanding for cash. It’s FAA certified so no limitations of LSA or PSA. I don’t think the future of aviation are single seater airplanes unless you could buy one for $10k or so. As a new pilot, yes you often fly solo, but not by choice often, and would welcome a copilot any day versus flying alone.
This is still not a practical idea for keeping costs down. Why the $20,000 engine? All I see with this is making Rotax a sole source and the company can continue to milk the market.
I require a two seat aircraft. There are many designs like the Pober and Corben Jr Ace, that could be redesigned for LSA, or factory built.
Sorry, but you still don’t get it. A $30,000 to $40,000 is still a luxury for many. You still haven’t eliminated the snob or elitist aura surrounding aviation.
Barking up the wrong tree. This category can be classified under the existing LSA standards. There is a plane being built in England called The E-Go that fills that need. What I would really want to see if the whole gamut of GA under the LSA standard. Everything 6 pax and under, top speed of 250 etc. These are aircraft that people would use the way people use cars. They are not trucks or busses.
onex
“Expensive” or “affordable” – interesting? Doesn’t the answer depend upon WHO you ask?
I think were looking in the wrong place. All the electrical in cars & trucks run off a engine driven alternator, the output goes through the battery, holds the charge and powers the output being used.
Why not use a wankel type engine driving a small high speed alternator charging the battery and running the electric motor powered prop. By using a high speed alternator the weight can be cut down. By using the Wankel, rotary engine, also small size.
Just a thought.
You are so right on that. For some reason tube designers wanna think too far outside the box instead of just gererating power from a small like you said,wankle, honda etc…
Some designers. Lola I didn’t read it before sending. Screwed by technology again
That Aeromarine is a little clown car-ish for my tastes (maybe a different paint scheme would help), but the Mooney Mite has some appeal. I might buy a PSA that looked like that, and I think my wife *would* secretly be relieved that she wouldn’t have to get in it. This might be too expensive, but if the wings could fold (similar to the Icon) for trailering, avoiding hangar cost and availability problems, that would be even better!