SPLOG By DAN JOHNSON

Bad as in-flight break-up accidents are, many opinions blur the big picture. Last spring NTSB recommended FAA “ground the fleet,” so to say, of Zenith Air and AMD’s CH-601 aircraft. FAA chose further study. When additional CH-601s became involved, media outlets and other organizations jumped on the bandwagon.

Let’s review: The focus is on the CH-601XL, of which about 1,500 kits have been sold since its introduction in 1984. Approximately half are complete and flying, according to Zenith boss Sebastien Heintz. Of the airplanes that broke up, two were fully-built SLSA. One was built by Czech Aircraft Works, the other by AMD. The rest are owner-built kits… essentially one-off airplanes. Comparing one to a factory-built airplane is apples and oranges.

Some allege Zenith and AMD have ignored the problem, but lots of detailed info on Zenith’s website suggests otherwise.

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SPLOG By DAN JOHNSON

Much lamenting has been heard regarding the price of LSAs. It isn’t hard to understand given prices that now exceed $140,000. Was such inflation supposed to happen? I’ve explained how this occurred, and the biggest culprit, by far, is the exchange rate difference between dollars and euros. (Other factors include the time value of money and the desire by many buyers to have high-end instrument panels and features.)

For a time, we thought the low costs of labor in Eastern European countries would overwhelm Yankee producers… and for a time they did. However, RANS — one of America’s most successful kit suppliers (more than 4,000 delivered!) — is offering the S-6ELS at only $63,000. This equates to only $53,500 in 2004 dollars when the new rule came out, which was about the cost of a Flight Design CT at that time.

The S-6ELS comes with the 80-hp Rotax 912 and a decent analog panel in either trigear or taildragger configurations. For those who want more power and more panel goodies, a “deluxe” version can be bought for $69,995 and includes the 100-hp Rotax 912S with 3-blade prop, Icom radio, intercom, cabin heat, bigger tires, and dual hydraulic brakes. Naturally, you could bid the price up higher with an autopilot, glass screens, and more… but why? The all-American designed and manufactured aircraft with 20 years of user history is all you need for a good time in the air.

For more information: RANS.com.

SPLOG By DAN JOHNSON

Cessna‘s LSA entry helps to validate the concept of industry consensus standards in lieu of government certification. SkyCatchers will populate airports as shipments ramp up in 2010. Other big companies also are looking at LSA — as most LSA enthusiasts know, Cirrus offered an entry, though work has stalled, and late 2009 rumors hint at entry by another legacy brand. While it’s good to see big boys coming into the game, the biggest-of-all kit builders is also playing. And, in its characteristic way, Van’s Aircraft is quietly racking up sales. Already 15 RV-12s are flying, according to Ken Scott, who notes, “We’ve sold 315 (starter kits) and, judging from the number of powerplant kits we’ve shipped, they should start sprouting like mushrooms pretty quick.”

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SPLOG By DAN JOHNSON

If you’ve been around aviation long enough you’ve heard the Q&A: “Know how to make a small fortune in aviation? Start with a large one!” Yet aviation can always use fresh talent, so welcome former tech entrepreneur, James Wiebe, turned aviation businessman. From his days building Mac peripherals under the name Newer Technology (and reaching sales of $60 million), Wiebe sold his tech enterprises and, in January 2009, bravely launched Belite Aircraft. The first flight came July 4.

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SPLOG By DAN JOHNSON

After announcing the selection of the Remos GX as the 2010 giveaway airplane, AOPA leaders are surely breathing a sigh of relief now that Remos has issued a reassuring statement. Earlier rumors threatened to cast doubt on those who participated in the sweepstakes announcement (including yours truly).

Along with others in the LSA world, my e-mail inbox has been overflowing with questions and comments about Remos officials filing a “notice of insolvency” in Germany on Nov. 30. On Dec. 10, the company issued a press release on the subject, with management reporting, “Remos Aircraft has received an additional significant investment. With this new capital injection, Remos Aircraft goes strengthened into the year 2010.”

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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 was flown by designer Peter Funk. The Fk9 ELA (a reference to European Light Aircraft, a new class EASA is planning) is a stretched, roomier model of the popular series. The changes should play well in the American market.

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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 GX (pictured above, with yours truly on the left, Remos’s Corvin Huber in the middle and AOPA’s Craig Fuller on the right); the company had multiple displays and aircraft. Cessna brought a SkyCatcher for selected reporters to fly. Fuller had Icon A5 developer Kirk Hawkins on the center-hall stage. EAA‘s Earl Lawrence led a LSA panel of FAA and industry experts (including yours truly). The Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association (LAMA) operated an LSA Mall area and had fruitful discussions with AOPA to advance goals of the LSA industry. SeaMax USA showed off its simulator seaplane running on MS Flight Sim. Tecnam North America, with several aircraft on display, announced new service centers for the popular Italian line of aircraft it now represents. Flight Design announced three new Pilot Centers. Dynon showed off its new SkyView in 7-inch and 10-inch screens. And, Garmin showed its new new “aera” touch-screen GPS.

For more on Sport Pilot, go to ByDanJohnson.com.