A fun thing happened this weekend. Such pleasures occur regularly across the USA where we enjoy so much aviation freedom. This time I got in on part of a weekend fly-out. Plus, I want to celebrate a thriving LSA flight school, another one supported by an arrangement called “leaseback.” First, the successful LSA flight school: […]
Light Sport Aircraft
Light-Sport Aircraft…at home and abroad
My European associate and friend, Jan Fridrich, coined a phrase a few years ago: “Global LSA,” he said, meaning the ASTM standards set could be used in any country and thereby create a worldwide market for recreational aircraft. Already a few accept the standards and many are considering or are already using some variant. So, […]
Tecnam delivers first Rotax 912iS powered P2008
Tecnam has delivered the first two production standard Tecnam P2008s fitted with the all new Rotax 912iS (injection) engine to customers in the United States and Colombia. The single-engined Tecnam P2008 has already established itself a one of Tecnam’s best sellers, according to company officials, who note that with its carbon-fiber fuselage, metals wings and […]
You can help prove the safety of LSA
In light of recent developments, perhaps some ups and downs of FAA’s involvement with Light-Sport aviation can offer perspective. First some background, then an appeal for your help on behalf of LSA. POSITIVE — In the summer of 2004, precisely 35 years after the day Neil Armstrong set foot on the Moon, FAA gave birth […]
LSA seaplane invasion…Can it happen?
What’s going on out in the marketplace? More than any time since the launch of Light-Sport Aircraft in 2004, I have not observed such a frenzy of activity for a particular niche, this time for LSA seaplanes. Next season, in 2013, we could see no less than nine entries — three brand new — and […]
CubCrafters’ 180-hp Carbon Cub SS…Hoo Rah!
We recently completed a full video pilot report (available below) on the CubCrafters Carbon Cub SS. The west coast company’s popular model with a potent 180-horsepower engine leaps off the runway with such enthusiasm it can appear a visual trick. Both videographer Dave Loveman and I had a chance to fly with CubCrafters dealer and […]
Flight Design celebrates 25 years
Flight Design GmbH is celebrating 25 years of aircraft development and manufacturing aircraft for 25 years with a special “Jubilee” series of the company’s models. “It has been an exciting 25 years where we brought interesting new airplanes to markets around the world,” said Flight Design CEO Matthias Betsch. “For this anniversary we have a […]
Van’s unveils fully built RV-12
Honestly, I didn’t expect much LSA news at AOPA’s Aviation Summit in Palm Springs. Despite several LSA on display, including Kitfox, Evektor, Flight Design, Arion, Jabiru, SportCruiser, Skycatcher, and CubCrafters, the AOPA event is not a common place for LSA announcements. Certainly I didn’t expect the world’s largest supplier of kit aircraft to offer a […]
Tecnam launches P92 Echo Classic Light
Tecnam North America will launch the new P92 Echo Classic Light priced at $74,999 through the end of 2012. Tecnam officials say the manufacturer has responded to market demand for a no frills, basic, aircraft that retains the flight characteristics of the P92 family of aircraft. Prices start at $74,999 for a day VFR aircraft […]