Some say Light-Sport Aircraft (LSA) are too expensive. With some topping $200,000, that rings true… in some cases. Yet more budget-friendly models are available and Oshkosh 2012 unveiled another. Now Zenith Aircraft’s kit STOL CH 750 is available as a fully-built LSA. The price? A bargain $74,900, an intro price, admittedly, but regularly it’ll still be only $84,900. By any measure, that’s a good deal. Take the intro price back to when LSA was announced in summer of 2004 and the figure would be barely over $60,000, just as most expected then.
Wanted: LSA pilots for FAA survey
September 10, 2012 by 1 Comment
The Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association is asking all pilots of Light-Sport Aircraft (LSA) to participate in the 34th annual General Aviation (GA) and Part 135 Activity Survey, which is used to assess aviation safety. Because of the newness of LSA, it is essential to improve the statistics, LAMA officials said, noting more participation will “reinforce the acceptable safety record of the sector.”
Electric! Gorgeous! Freedom!…4th generation ULS
September 6, 2012 by 1 Comment
Randall Fishman virtually invented the electric aircraft. That’s a rather big statement, yet I stand behind it. Randall first showed a functional electric trike at Oshkosh 2007. He’s been on a tear ever since and his ULS is his present state-of-the-art, his fourth generation of electric aircraft design.
I use three words to describe ULS deliberately. [Read more...]
CubCrafters Carbon Cub SS evolves
September 4, 2012 by Leave a Comment
After three years in production and a fleet of more than 100 aircraft, the CubCrafters Carbon Cub SS Light-Sport Aircraft (LSA) is evolving for 2013.
Changes include a new cowling design, an improved cabin heat system, a new starter, and a new system voltage monitor, company officials said. New options are also being introduced, including a ground adjustable propeller from Whirl Wind, a GPS-equipped Emergency Locator Transmitter, and new amphibious floats from Aerocet, which are coming soon.
Bearhawk LSA debuts
August 30, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Bearhawk designer Bob Barrows — who designed the four-place Bearhawk and the two-place Bearhawk Patrol — has turned his attention to his next creation, the Bearhawk Light-Sport Aircraft (LSA).
The Great Debate: Is the LSA rule a failure?
August 23, 2012 by 3 Comments
In his blog at the Air Facts Journal, Sporty’s John Zimmerman asks pilots if the Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) rule, adopted with much fanfare in 2004 with the promise to cut the cost of flying and open up aviation to more people than ever before, has accomplished what it set out to do. Eight years later, the number of LSAs has exploded, with even giant Cessna in the game. But he notes that the dream of an airplane for less than $1000,000 hasn’t come true and that’s just the beginning of the “buts.” Check it out here and add your comment to the ongoing discussion.
Food and wine events slated for Sebring LSA Expo
August 22, 2012 by 1 Comment
The 2013 U.S. Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, Florida, will bring back the food and wine tasting events for Friday and Saturday of the show.
Lisa Airplanes goes into receivership
August 16, 2012 by 4 Comments
French-based Lisa Airplanes, which is developing the amphibious Akoya, has voluntarily asked the Commercial Court of Chambery to place the company in receivership.
Norway flight school orders Skycatchers
August 9, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Cessna reports it sold three Skycatchers at AirVenture 2012 in Oshkosh. Executives with Pilot Academy of Sandefjord, Norway, noted that the effort to facilitate EASA certification by moving the Skycatcher into the primary category with the FAA played a large role in the decision.
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