Aviation enthusiasts were drawn for the second year in a row to the DeLand Municipal Airport in Deland, Florida, to attend the DeLand Sport Aviation Showcase on Nov. 2-4, 2017. This year’s show seemed bigger with more displays outside and inside. Three days of good flying weather meant that people considering buying an ultralight or […]
Light Sport Aircraft
Big achievements by a small manufacturer
“It simply won’t work,” say too many pilots. “You cannot run a business making only 50 airplanes a year. To build good, safe airplanes, you must operate a large enterprise.” If you are one of those naysayers, are you sure about that? I write about the world of light aviation, a segment of recreational aircraft […]
DeLand Showcase prepares for takeoff
The second annual DeLand Sport Aviation Showcase will take place Nov. 2-4, 2017, at DeLand Municipal Airport (KDED) in Florida. This year’s show will mimic the inaugural show in design, layout, daily schedule, and hospitality. But most important, the mission will remain the same: Committed to Sport Aviation, according to organizers. “As we work to […]
Midwest LSA Expo prepares for takeoff
The Midwest LSA Expo is slated for Sept. 7-9, 2017, at Mt. Vernon Outland Airport (KMVN) in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Touted as “the place to be for sport aviation this September,” the Midwest LSA Expo will feature many Light-Sport Aircraft, including Part 103, STOL (Short Take off and Land) and Gyroplanes “on one easily accessible and […]
Atol triphibian for sky, sea, or snow
To many observers, the development of Light-Sport Aircraft seaplanes is fast-paced, inventive, and intriguing. You may have read about entries from the USA, Europe, or New Zealand. How about Finland? “Finland has 188,000 lakes,” said Anssi Rekula, cofounder and sales director for Atol Avion, producer of the Atol LSA seaplane. “We know the joys of […]
The eye-catching Lightning taildragger
Homebuilders of aircraft are surely a breed apart. Many pilots use a licensed mechanic to maintain our flying machines. We would never think of modifying structural aspects of the design. We wouldn’t even ask our mechanic to do it for us. Mike Lotz was willing and able. He built his Arion Aircraft Lightning from a […]
Flying the SeaMax
In summary, I’d call SeaMax a “performance LSA seaplane,” peppy and demanding a bit more pilot attention, but it gets up and goes.
Video of first flight of Belite Chipper with Rotax 912UL
The first flight of the Belite Chipper with the Rotax 912UL engine was held June 19. Belite’s James Wiebe posted this video of the flight: Wiebe also released these performance observations: Initial established climb about 600 fpm; Highest climb rate seen about 830 fpm; Flaps 15°; Ailerons in droop mode; Went around the pattern several […]
Merlin quick-build kit earns 51% approval
The FAA’s FAA’s National Kit Evaluation Team (NKET) recently evaluated the Merlin’s Quick Build Kit, and it passed by .01%, according to company officials. “You can’t get more builder-friendly than that,” says Aeromarine President Chip Erwin, from his build center in Florida, where two customers are completing their Merlin PSA kits right now. Two more […]