Various events are bubbling to the surface as we approach the 10th anniversary of the Sport Pilot/Light-Sport Aircraft (SP/LSA) rule this summer. One of these activities occurred at SUN ’n FUN: The USUA/LAMA Safety & Industry Light-Sport Conference. USUA is the United States Ultralight Association, a group focused on pilots. If you believed ultralight aircraft […]
sport pilot
ICON to relocate to Vacaville
LOS ANGELES — ICON Aircraft will relocate to the City of Vacaville in Northern California, located approximately 50 miles northeast of San Francisco. Beginning in the first quarter of 2015, the company will begin operating in a 140,000-square-foot facility adjacent to the Vacaville airport, also known as the Nut Tree Airport. ICON intends to consolidate […]
Tecnam ramps up at Sebring Regional Airport
SEBRING, Fla. — Tecnam took possession of a new 21,000-square-foot facility at Sebring Regional Airport on April 28 and delivered its first aircraft from this U.S. facility. “Even though we just moved in, we have accomplished our first delivery, a P2008 Turbo to a customer that purchased at U.S. Sport Aviation Expo in January. From […]
Quicksilver earns FAA acceptance for SLSA
Quicksilver Aeronautics has been informed by FAA that its audit to produce the Sport 2S model as a Special Light-Sport Aircraft has been satisfactorily concluded. The model will officially be known as the Sport L-S2S and marketed as the Sport S2SE. “We are very pleased about this accomplishment,” said Quicksilver Aeronautics President Will Escutia. “Daniel […]
The next wave in LSA
Even as we come to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Sport Pilot/Light-Sport Aircraft rule in 2014, many general aviation pilots have only recently become fully aware of this large and growing fleet of more than 134 designs. Let me repeat: That is 134 new aircraft models in less than 10 years, a pace of […]
Pilot Report: SAM LS
SAM LS Designer Thierry Zibi and I met at Sandpiper Aviation at Meacham Airport in Fort Worth during October’s AOPA Summit. We chatted for about an hour prior to climbing aboard the tandem two-seater — named for Zibi’s son — for a flight around the area. Thierry told me SAM LS prototype we were going […]
SAM LS takes off
“Wow! What….is…that?” That was the most common reaction when people first set eyes on the SAM LS at AirVenture 2013. The round-cowl Light-Sport Aircraft made its American debut at the annual event. The combination of a round cowl, tear-drop shaped wheel-pants and a side-hinged folding canopy give the airplane a decidedly classic look. To many people, the […]
Four aircraft debut at Sebring LSA Expo
The 10th annual U.S. Sport Aviation Expo drew to a close on Sunday afternoon, Jan. 19, after one of the most successful runs in the event’s 10-year history. Four aircraft debuted at the Expo, including RANS Aircraft’s S-20 Raven (pictured above), Tecnam Aircraft’s new Sea Sky on floats, the Zigolo Ultralight Motorglider from AeroMarine LSA, […]
Why LSA registrations were down in 2013
A number of people have asked about an updated sales report for 2013. While remembering that we report registrations, not sales, last year was a different sort. Registrations were down from 2012, with the exception that CubCrafters remains the registration (and presumably sales) leader. American Legend and its Cubs also showed more activity than previous […]