American Legend Aircraft Co. has completed structural testing of the Super Legend, a Lycoming-powered version of the Legend Cub. The airframe was successfully tested to load limits and will meet S-LSA certification, company officials report. In development since 2011, the Super Legend airframe was designed to match to the higher performing Lycoming IO-233 engine, company […]
Light Sport Aircraft
FAA grants ICON weight exemption
OSHKOSH — The FAA has granted ICON Aircraft’s petition for exemption to allow an increased takeoff weight for ICON’s A5 amphibious Light Sport Aircraft (LSA). The exemption, up to a maximum of 1,680 pounds, would accommodate a Spin-Resistant Airframe (SRA) that enables the A5 to better avoid loss-of-control scenarios due to stall/spins, company officials said […]
Zlin Cub-S makes Oshkosh debut
The 180-hp Titan Stroker IO-340 powered Zlin Cub-S is coming to the United States as a light-sport aircraft (LSA). SportairUSA, the U.S. distributor for aircraft manufactured by Zlin Aviation, will display the Cub-S in Oshkosh this week during AirVenture. With its power-to-empty weight ratio of 4.74 lbs/hp (7.33 lbs at MTOW), the Cub-S climbs at […]
SkyCraft begins taking deposits
OREM, UTah — On July 29, SkyCraft will begin accepting deposits for the SD-1 Minisport through the website’s Buy-A-Plane page. There are currently 14 pre-orders, filling production slots until summer of 2014, company officials report, adding SkyCraft is able to fill 26 more orders in the 2014 calendar year. Production on the SD-1 Minisport has […]
Production engineering begins on SeaDragon Gen2
Independent Aircraft has begun production engineering of an all composite amphibious light-sport aircraft (LSA) called the SeaDragon Gen2. The original proof-of-concept, the SeaDragon, was accredited in Jane’s “All the Worlds Aircraft” for being the first all composite amphib specifically designed for the LSA category. “We have kept our head down, flying under the radar while […]
First electric flight for Erik Lindbergh
When a leading proponent of a fresh idea, in this case airplanes powered by electric motors, finally has a chance to use the technology it can significantly heighten his motivation. Such was the case when Erik Lindbergh took the opportunity to fly GreenWing International’s pure-electric eSpyder. About his first flight in electric aircraft Lindbergh observed, […]
Bearhawk ships LSA kits, adds second door to Patrol
Bearhawk Aircraft started delivering kits of the Bearhawk LSA (pictured below) in June. “We offer the Bearhawk LSA as a quick build, a plans-built, and everything in between,” said Mark Goldberg, Bearhawk Aircraft’s owner. Announced last August, the prototype of the Bob Barrows-designed two seater will be on display at AirVenture. In addition to the LSA, feedback from […]
Hartzell X-Drive chosen for Carbon Cub
CubCrafters has selected Hartzell Engine Technologies’ new X-Drive lightweight starter as standard on the company’s upgraded, high-performance Carbon Cub SS light sport aircraft (LSA). “This is our first OEM (original equipment manufacturer) application for the new-generation X-Drive lightweight starter,” said Hartzell Engine Technologies’ President Mike Disbrow Disbrow. “CubCrafters manufactures an exceptional line of certificated, LSA and […]
LISA Airplanes restarts work on Akoya amphib
Le Bourget du Lac, France — LISA Airplanes has restarted development of the Akoya amphibious Light-Sport Aircraft, after the company was put in receivership last August. “LISA Airplanes went through the economic turbulences and is now able to finalize its emblematic airplane and its international business development,” company officials said in a prepared statement. The […]