While out west on business, I had the chance to fly the latest SLSA on the list, the South African Sling. Earlier I’ve written about the all-metal LSA’s round-the-world flight, but now this low-wing design is being made available for sale to Americans. On a gorgeous Southern California day, Matt Litnaitzky and his associate Ryan […]
LSA
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 […]
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 […]
From Kiev with love: Flying the Aeroprakt LSA
BY J. DOUGLAS HINTON With the meltdown of the Soviet Union in 1991, Ukraine gained its independence, causing private enterprise to bloom, including Kiev-based Aeroprakt company, founded the same year and bolstered by an investment by Saudi Sheik Hussein. The result was several Light-Sport Aircraft, principally the Aeroprakt A22-LS. Designed by Yuri Yakovlev, the LSA […]
LSAs vs. Cessna 150s
The downside for LSA: They aren’t as well known, they cost a lot more (new always does), and the mechanics don’t know them as well.
Welcome to Sling
Have you been thinking that it’s been some time since a new Special LSA was announced? While the torrid pace of yesteryear has abated, it ain’t over by a long shot. I know of at least a dozen aircraft still in progress to achieve SLSA status. Now, welcome to Sling, SLSA #125. Back on April […]
Pipistrel’s Alpha Trainer takes off
After the successful conclusion of its test flight program, Pipistrel has released its newest aircraft, the Pipistrel Alpha Trainer. The name “Pipistrel Alpha Trainer” describes the exact purpose of this new aircraft designed for flying schools, company officials said. The aircraft has been engineered with the “essence of training” as its primary design goal, they […]
Cessna suspends Skycatcher sales in Europe
According to a French dealer for Cessna, 80 Skycatcher orders have been cancelled, but Cessna officials in the U.S. say the Wichita giant has just temporarily suspended taking orders for the LSA in Europe. For many months, my Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association (LAMA) Europe colleague Jan Fridrich and others have tried to convince EASA to […]
Familiar frame, different name
For some planes, it’s the (air)frame, not the name, that sells it. Such is the case with the Polish-built AT-4, an airframe that was introduced to the American market a few years back as the Gobosh 700. Gobosh, which stands for Go Big Or Stay Home, went out of business in 2009, but the AT-4 […]