Glasair Aviation’s new light-sport aircraft, Merlin, took its first flight through the skies above Arlington Municipal Airport (KAWO) in Washington state, April 7. Following detailed validation testing, including engine run-up, high-speed taxi, and ground roll lift off, the team at Glasair stood back and watched as Merlin departed the surface of runway 34 with test-pilot […]
Light Sport Aircraft
Bede LSA enters Phase 1 of flight testing
Officials at Bedecorp report that the New BD-22 Light-Sport Aircraft has begun Phase I of its flight testing program. Tim Becker, an engineer with Bedecorp, said he believes the BD-22L will meet or exceed all of the company’s design expectations. The BD-22L is the big brother of the BD-17L, which incorporates the same bonded honeycomb fuselage. (The […]
Sharing the skies with RPAs
They fly, so pilots could love Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) [with other terms also used, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), unmanned aerial systems (UAS), and drones.] Some pilots are already involved with RPAs. However, RPA pilots remain on the ground. Is that the same? Differences have a way of dividing people, even when they may […]
CubCrafters names two new sales centers
Backcountry aircraft manufacturer CubCrafters has appointed two new Certified Sales Centers: SWT Aviation Northeast will cover the Northeastern United States, and SunCountry Cubs will support states in the southwest. SWT and SunCountry are now the exclusive authorized dealers in their territories for new and pre-owned CubCrafters aircraft, including the Sport Cub S2 and Carbon Cub SS […]
LSA market share for 2014
When government reports unemployment, GPD numbers, or crop yields, they release some information that is invariably changed. Despite best efforts, statistics are often improved later. With that fact in mind, following is our preliminary report for fully-built Light-Sport Aircraft (LSA) in calendar year 2014. SEEKING TRUTH All the information is taken from the FAA N-number […]
Randy Lervold named CubCrafters president
YAKIMA, Wash. — Randy Lervold has been named president of CubCrafters. He has served as general manager of the aircraft designer and manufacturing company since 2009. “When Randy joined CubCrafters in 2009, he bought a fresh perspective to our business,” said company founder and CEO Jim Richmond. “He is organized, focused, and understands our customer. I […]
Bearhawk LSA to make Sebring debut
The Bearhawk Aircraft LSA will make a first-time visit to the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, Florida, which kicks off Wednesday, Jan. 14, and runs through Saturday, Jan. 17. The aircraft is the first Bearhawk LSA to be completed from a Quick Build kit. It will be on static display at the show and […]
Measuring growth in LSA
As a new year begins, it seems a good time to attempt to measure how the light end of aviation is doing. As 2014 was the 10th anniversary for Light-Sport Aircraft (LSA), it is doubly useful. We have various ways to assess growth in aviation … pilot starts, new certificates, new airplanes delivered, used aircraft sales, and magazine […]
Phantom’s one man aircraft factory
By BILL WILSON The phone rings at Phantom Aeronautics in Three Rivers, Michigan. A customer is calling the kit aircraft company with a request. There is a very good chance he or she is also asking about the new 4-cycle engine Phantom is in the midst of testing. The milling machines, lathes, inventory control and […]