We recorded very strong interest in our recent market share post. Traffic spiked to double in the days since our report was posted at ByDanJohnson.com (and that was from record levels). It would appear the LSA segment is hardly in “critical condition,” despite what some may think. The Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association (LAMA) board of […]
Light Sport Aircraft
First flight: Sam LS
The first flight of Sam LS, an all-new design, took place Feb. 26 at Lachute Airport near Montréal, Quebec, Canada. “Liftoff was perfect, in about 300 feet,” said Thierry Zibi, president of SAM Aircraft. “We were not at gross weight, so our climb of nearly 1,300 fpm felt like a rocket.” The test pilot, Raphaël […]
2012 LSA market shares: Cubs and surprises
Our annual review of LSA Market Share brings our updated fleet chart and a second chart showing prior-year registrations. While sales of new SLSA remains below par, the market appears to be experiencing spotty but regular recovery from earlier low points. The first half the year foretold a better recovery but the last half of […]
Go negative…or work together?
It is true that a pilot of one type aircraft may not know much about nor (therefore) care much about another type aircraft. Ultralight pilots and turbine pilots may not seem to have much in common. Sailplane pilots and crop dusters, likewise. Powered parachute enthusiasts seem on the opposite side of the spectrum from airline […]
Production begins on ICON A5
Production of the ICON A5 started in December 2012 with the completion of the first tooling master, according to the most recent newsletter from ICON Aircraft, the Los Angeles company that is developing the amphibious Light-Sport Aircraft. ICON’s composite supplier, Cirrus Aircraft, will use the composite tooling produced from this master to manufacture production A5 […]
Airtime Aviation hits 100 deliveries
Airtime Aviation, a dealer for Flight Design USA, recently notched its number 100 delivery of a Light-Sport Aircraft. “Our number 100 Flight Design model, this one a new CTLSi, went to Rex Austin,” said Tom Gutmann, Jr., who operates Airtime Aviation with his father Tom Gutmann, Sr. “This is Rex’s second CTLS.” “I have owned […]
Wills Wing celebrates turning 40
At the lightest end of flying, one company in the USA excels like no other. For hang glider and paraglider enthusiasts the brand name Wills Wing is as good as it gets. I have long known and admired the owners of this well-run California company so I am very pleased to offer my congratulations to […]
The appeal of vintage LSAs
“Does it qualify as a Light Sport Aircraft?” That’s one of the first questions people ask when they see a single-engine aircraft of a certain vintage parked at an airport. Many aviators dream of flying a vintage Piper or Ercoupe or Taylorcraft, and if they can do it as a Sport Pilot with a driver’s […]
Sebring Expo: A real game-changer
It used to be that January was one of the slowest months of the year. Freezing cold in the northern states combined with short days across the northern hemisphere to produce a sluggish month for all but transport or working aircraft. Recreational flying slowed to the pace of thick syrup pouring from a chilled bottle. […]