Flight schools — like many private buyers — are hyperfocused on, “What does an aircraft cost to operate?” Busy flight schools operating at high volume simply must track how all the pennies add up. In this post we asked US... Continue Reading →
Flying the newest LSA: Sling
Posted on July 5th, 2012 by Dan Johnson
While out west on business, I had the chance to fly the latest SLSA on the list, the South African Sling. Earlier I’ve written about the all-metal LSA’s round-the-world flight, but now this low-wing design is being made available for... Continue Reading →
Tecnam’s Tail Dragger keeps getting better
Posted on July 4th, 2012 by Dan Johnson
With five models currently meeting ASTM standards for SLSA, Tecnam has established itself as the leader in prolific design of Light-Sport Aircraft. Much of this design prowess owes to family patriarch Professor Luigi Pascale, known for his incredible output of... Continue Reading →
FAA clarifies who is an LSA manufacturer
Posted on July 2nd, 2012 by Dan Johnson
Late last month, the FAA issued its anticipated notice of policy that clarifies who can qualify as a Light-Sport Aircraft (LSA) manufacturer. You may wish to read the entire policy statement and, as government documents go, this one is fairly... Continue Reading →
One solution to the flight school dilemma
Posted on July 1st, 2012 by Dan Johnson
Anyone who has tried to borrow money in the last five years knows how tough it has become. Banks supported by government guarantees practically gave money away before the subprime meltdown but are now being much more careful. That’s a... Continue Reading →
Is spin resistance a big deal? Well, yes!
Posted on June 28th, 2012 by Dan Johnson
On Memorial Day I had a chance to visit Icon Aircraft and spend some time with CEO Kirk Hawkins. We met seven years ago — just after the Sport Pilot/Light-Sport Aircraft (LSA) rule was released — near the beginning of... Continue Reading →
Evektor wins EASA Type Certificate
Posted on June 27th, 2012 by Dan Johnson
The rush is on in Europe, at least for the best-prepared of LSA producers. EASA, the European Aviation Safety Agency, has accepted ASTM standards as a means of certifying light aircraft in the European Union, but put its own stamp... Continue Reading →
Electric Sports weight-shift trike impresses
Posted on June 17th, 2012 by Dan Johnson
AERO, held each year in the south of Germany, is one of those shows that has interesting aircraft in more nooks and crannies than even a crack reporter can find. Thanks to Tom Peghiny of Flightstar eSpyder and Flight Design... Continue Reading →
Flying the Bristell
Posted on June 10th, 2012 by Dan Johnson
Since the Sebring LSA Expo in January, the airshow season has rushed by at warp speed and now we can return to more aircraft flown at the event that kicks off the aviation year. In this post, we’ll have a... Continue Reading →
Pipistrel finalizes a new LSA trainer
Posted on May 31st, 2012 by Dan Johnson
Engineers at Pipistrel must not sleep in too often. This company, which won the NASA efficiency challenge several times — in 2011 taking home a $1.35 million cash prize — just unveiled a full-size version of a sleek four-seat design... Continue Reading →
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