SPLOG By DAN JOHNSON LSA are nothing if not diverse. We have all manner of aircraft on our list of 104 approved models. Germany’s FK Lightplanes illustrates diversity through its trio of models: The high-wing Fk9 series (pictured above); biplane Fk-12 (pictured below); and low-wing Fk14. In May, the newest iteration of the Fk9 series […]
Splog
LSA in the spotlight at AOPA
SPLOG By DAN JOHNSON In its first year as the AOPA Aviation Summit (versus Expo), the 70-year-old, 415,000-member organization made lots of changes, large and small. Among the most notable under capable new president Craig Fuller was much greater attention to LSA. Here’s the fast-read update: AOPA announced its 2010 Sweepstakes airplane is a Remos […]
Flying the MS-1
SPLOG By DAN JOHNSON Lucky me. On a warm, sunny day I drove less than a mile to Spruce Creek Airport’s Downwind Cafe where I met the developers of MySky (the company) and the MS-1 (a new LSA model). After a tasty lunch we strolled over to the company’s facility and hangar. All the while […]
Light at the end of the tunnel
SPLOG By DAN JOHNSON Saying 2009 was a breathtaking year is no overstatement. The last air show of the season is now history and reflections on 2009 reveal a year of hardship for aviation. Cessna laid off more than half its workers and the Wichita giant’s problems are mirrored throughout general aviation. Seemingly invulnerable jet […]
Heavy topic for Light Sport Aviation: Safety
SPLOG By DAN JOHNSON While I prefer to blog about new aircraft, LSA safety is a worthy topic. Here’s the quick summary: While every loss is tragic to family and friends, LSA fatalities are not bad. Now some detail: According to FAA records in the four-year period from August 2005 to June 2009, Special LSAS […]
LSA market shares stable
SPLOG By DAN JOHNSON As the challenging year for aircraft sales grinds on, Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) continue to hold their own. In tough times, when cash is tight, small enterprises may fare better than large companies. Their low expense structures, modestly compensated managers and employees, and lean manufacturing — as allowed by industry-standards certification […]
Handsome new high wing debuts
SPLOG By DAN JOHNSON Most folks following LSA development know the Sting, refreshed for the U.S. market with the S3 model. Now, welcome to the TL3000 Sirius as the newest SLSA to hit the market in a blur of new offerings seemingly triggered after the industry hit #100. Importer SportairUSA maneuvered its low-wing, all-carbon-fiber Sting […]
Pair of floatplanes debut
SPLOG By DAN JOHNSO We’ve arrived at the end of the main float-flying season, but two of our largest LSA manufacturers just unveiled floatplane models. Welcome to the American Legend FloatCub and the Remos GX on floats. The most successful American LSA producer, American Legend, won approval Oct. 2 for its amphibious Legend FloatCub. FloatCub […]
The power of triple digits
SPLOG By DAN JOHNSON The operative phrases are: Triple Digits and Global Reach. Triple digits refers to the number of approved Special Light Sport Aircraft available. In fact, once it hit #100, the industry shot past to #104 and I see no end in sight to new models. Some major ones are expected soon, including […]