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 and it’s all good in my mind.
Most e-powered aircraft remain in the future. Yet here today is the E-Spyder. [Read more...]
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 [Read more...]
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 at a few destinations that have proven to be a good fit. This year, AOPA members collect in Long Beach, California, starting today.
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 debut an airplane I’ve seen in Europe, the Topaz, with more than 100 flying. Previously in the U.S., we have seen the Junior from the same company.
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, we can now add the Lycoming O-233 LSA engine.
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 taken off the way Sun ‘n Fun or AirVenture has. True enough, no western event comes close in size to the eastern shows, but my comments weren’t fair to steady work by organizers of Copperstate, an event with a 37-year history (nor to the even-larger and older Arlington show or the Golden West event.) These western shows may not be huge, but they reveal an aviation passion. This year’s Copperstate will be held in Casa Grande, Arizona — just south of Phoenix — from Thursday, Oct. 21 through Saturday, Oct. 23. [Read more...]
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 as much; and in the economic doldrums, the numbers simply haven’t been changing as quickly.
But since the last report, some action occurred that shines a spotlight on an expected development. The aviation Big Boys are climbing upward. Piper advanced into the #3 spot, pushing also-strong CubCrafters down a notch.
Dan Johnson, president of the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association, is an expert on Light Sport Aircraft.
People tried to call it Oh-nex, but the giveaway is the single seat. I get it… One-ex. The clever name is adapted from the company name and one of its models, Sonex, and fits with the Waiex and Xenos. [Read more...]
Dan Johnson, president of the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association, is an expert on Light Sport Aircraft.
Terrafugia has been getting tons of press and no wonder. The MIT brain trust developing the Transition is breaking new ground in numerous ways. While we await their sophisticated “roadable airplane,” a simpler flying car concept won its SLSA approval Sept. 28. Entering the SLSA List at #110… welcome I-tec Maverick. Like Transition, this is one clever critter.
Dan Johnson, president of the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association, is an expert on Light Sport Aircraft.
The sluggish economy has slowed the pace of new model introductions. Holding steady at 109 approved Light-Sport Aircraft — every one of which arrived in the last five and a half years — more designs are still to come. In the interim, companies whose aircraft already populate the LSA marketplace are putting additional effort into refining their aircraft and processes.
For more on Sport Pilot and LSA: ByDanJohnson.com
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