In late November the southern China city of Zhuhai hosted a large collection of aircraft at Airshow China. We’ve been hearing about this once-closed country in matters of aviation so often, readers might be interested to see some photos taken by LAMA Europe’s Jan Fridrich.
The effects of political wrangling on LSA
January 6, 2013 by 6 Comments
The new year is here and with it the effects of Congressional wrangling over the so-called fiscal cliff. Maybe the political leadership have found some temporary resolve, but eventually cuts appear inevitable.
Some aviation groups have gloomily predicted as much as $80 billion in GDP losses [Read more...]
Record year for CubCrafters
January 3, 2013 by Leave a Comment
YAKIMA, Wash. — Light aircraft designer and manufacturer CubCrafters reports that, as of Dec. 31, it delivered 58 new airplanes during calendar 2012, a 23% increase over 2011, and more units than any year in the company’s history.
Looking ahead to the Sebring LSA Expo
December 17, 2012 by 1 Comment
The holidays approach like a lumbering airliner on final, sure and certain. With its arrival, aviation in America can take stock of the year and begin the anticipation for a new season to dawn once the days begin to lengthen. Winter in many northern states is a time of reduced recreational flying activity but (speaking as one who endured many Minnesota winters before permanently flying south) the short days and cold nights help to build excitement.
In the world of Light-Sport Aircraft and light recreational aircraft of all kinds, the focus now gathers on the Sebring U.S. Sport Aviation Expo, or more simply the Sebring LSA Expo. Last year’s event drew more than 16,000 visitors to a trade show oriented to help buyers view all the airplanes from which they can choose. [Read more...]
Russian ‘Beetle’ takes off
December 12, 2012 by Leave a Comment
News from Russian sport aircraft producers is rare. Though the old USSR had a vast military aircraft complex, that hasn’t translated to recreation aircraft the way it did in the formerly Soviet Czech Republic, where many of our LSA originate. However, that doesn’t mean efforts are absent. We’ve seen some uptake of LSA (like Pipistrel) into Russia but here I’ll portray an unusual Russian development. It may not find a U.S. market but I find it intriguing.
Long, winding approval tale — SLSA #128
December 11, 2012 by 1 Comment
A most remarkable thing happened recently. I refer to a recent approval of a brand new Special LSA. Why is that noteworthy, especially as it is #128 on our SLSA List? Everyone in the business of LSA and most other alert readers have followed the long, winding, still-evolving path of FAA approvals in the fall of 2012. Specifically, FAA has released an order that says any new model from an existing LSA supplier or any LSA from a new company must be blessed by FAA headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Tecnam offers bargain-priced Echo Classic Light
December 10, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Major Italian producer Tecnam has launched the P92 Classic Light microlight. This is the seventh-generation model in Tecnam P92 range of airplanes, which this year celebrated 20 years of production.
Happy Birthday, ASTM
December 9, 2012 by Leave a Comment
The group of folks, mostly volunteers, who have written the ASTM standards used to “certify” Light-Sport Aircraft celebrated their 10th anniversary in Atlanta at the end of October.
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