Dan Johnson, president of the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association, is an expert on Light Sport Aircraft. Over the years, Garmin has become a staple of LSAs. Stick your head inside the cockpit of virtually any SLSA and you’ll probably see a Garmin 296, 396, 496, or 495. The handheld gizmos are ubiquitous, often nestled securely […]
Splog
Whirring into the air on electricity
Dan Johnson, president of the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association, is an expert on Light Sport Aircraft. You’re probably aware of the auto industry’s billion-dollar bet on electric cars. Skeptics are plentiful. Same for airplanes. Despite doubts, even Cessna and Bye Energy are teaming up on an electric 172. Other LSA electric projects are also underway […]
Coming of age
Are Light-Sport Aircraft truly coming of age? I think so and, while I’m biased by my closeness to the industry, I have observed three noteworthy changes from summer to the recent AOPA Aviation Summit. Starting shortly before and at AirVenture, conversations with numerous established flight schools identified an impending purchase or two of LSAs to […]
AOPA Aviation Summit kicks off today
Dan Johnson, president of the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association, is an expert on Light Sport Aircraft. On the aviation calendar, AOPA’s Aviation Summit represents the year’s last national event. Formerly known as Expo or Convention, unlike well-anchored airshows such as Sun ‘n Fun or AirVenture Oshkosh, AOPA’s annual gathering moves around the country, albeit repeating […]
Jabiru-powered RANS S-19 is simply superb
Dan Johnson, president of the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association, is an expert on Light Sport Aircraft. Pilots seem to love more power. All other things being equal, a more potent engine is preferred to one with less power. Pilots also like sweet-handling airplanes. So, put 20 more horses in front of the S-19 Venterra and […]
Ekolot Topaz makes first U.S. appearance
Dan Johnson, president of the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association, is an expert on Light Sport Aircraft. Just when you thought the LSA industry was running out of models (109 presently show on our SLSA List), here comes one of the sharpest examples I’ve seen. NIU Group used the Midwest LSA Expo as the venue to […]
First flight of Lycoming O-233 LSA powerplant
Dan Johnson, president of the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association, is an expert on Light Sport Aircraft. October brought the first flight of the Lycoming O-233 in a Falcon Light-Sport Aircraft. This adds the famed Lycoming nameplate to a stable of LSA powerplant brands including Rotax, Jabiru, and Continental, plus the CubCrafters CC340 engine. To these, […]
Copperstate 2010 on the horizon
Dan Johnson, president of the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association, is an expert on Light Sport Aircraft. During my recent appearance on the Powered Sport Flying (Internet) Radio Show, I said I remained amazed that although the western U.S. has a large share of all pilots and airplanes in the country, no airshow seems to have […]
Here come the big boys
Dan Johnson, president of the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association, is an expert on Light Sport Aircraft. Perhaps you’ve noticed we have not been reporting market share information as often as we once did. Two reasons: The market has matured, meaning the leaders are distancing themselves from niche producers and the rank positions aren’t moving around […]