Anyone who has tried to borrow money in the last five years knows how tough it has become. Banks supported by government guarantees practically gave money away before the subprime meltdown but are now being much more careful. That’s a good thing, but it means even some credit-worthy customers can’t get the loans they need. […]
Light Sport Aircraft
Is spin resistance a big deal? Well, yes!
On Memorial Day I had a chance to visit Icon Aircraft and spend some time with CEO Kirk Hawkins. We met seven years ago — just after the Sport Pilot/Light-Sport Aircraft (LSA) rule was released — near the beginning of his ambitions to create an entirely clean-sheet LSA amphibian. Recently, Icon released a video to […]
Evektor wins EASA Type Certificate
The rush is on in Europe, at least for the best-prepared of LSA producers. EASA, the European Aviation Safety Agency, has accepted ASTM standards as a means of certifying light aircraft in the European Union, but put its own stamp on this approval. Those wishing to sell an ASTM-compliant SLSA in Europe have some extra […]
Cessna launches Discover Flying Challenge
Cessna Aircraft Co. has launched its Discover Flying Challenge, challenging aviation students to see who can generate the most awareness and hands-on experience for the company’s Light-Sport Aircraft (LSA), the Skycatcher. The inaugural “Cessna Discover Flying Challenge” commenced on June 23 at the Cessna Open House in Independence, Kan., an event which commemorated the company’s […]
Shades of grey
General Aviation News columnist Dan Johnson recently wrote about LSAs vs. Cessna 150s. The post discusses the pros and cons of a new Light-Sport Aircraft versus the venerable Cessna 150. Dan was a long-time 150 owner and is “the man” when it comes to new LSAs, so he’s as much an expert on both — […]
Electric Sports weight-shift trike impresses
AERO, held each year in the south of Germany, is one of those shows that has interesting aircraft in more nooks and crannies than even a crack reporter can find. Thanks to Tom Peghiny of Flightstar eSpyder and Flight Design USA fame, we have more from the German show about electric-powered aircraft. Enthusiasts of electric […]
CubCrafters opens European market
When it receives delivery of a CubCrafters Carbon Cub in early June, directSky will become the aircraft manufacturer’s first dealer to service the European market. directSky provides aircraft sales, maintenance, management, restoration, repairs and pilot training. It is headed by Managing Director/CEO Kamil Skorupski. DirectSky is located in Ireland (Abbeyshrule Airfield) and Poland (Mielec Airfield). […]
ICON collaborates with Lotus Engineering
ICON Aircraft is collaborating closely with Lotus Engineering USA on key areas of the production design of the ICON A5 amphibious Light Sport Aircraft. The work focuses on the A5’s cockpit, where Lotus’ experience in lightweight premium automotive-quality components is especially relevant, ICON officials said. “The collaboration with Lotus is perfect for ICON because it […]
Flying the Bristell
Since the Sebring LSA Expo in January, the airshow season has rushed by at warp speed and now we can return to more aircraft flown at the event that kicks off the aviation year. In this post, we’ll have a quick look at the all-new Bristell, first unveiled to the American pilot community at the […]