If you want people to notice your aircraft, it helps if you have a unusual and eye-catching paint job. The folks from South Africa-based SkyReach certainly accomplished that goal with the black and white zebra design on the BushCat, a high-wing Light-Sport Aircraft that was the center of the company’s display at this summer’s AirVenture.
Air Creation Skypper wins SLSA #130
January 31, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Congratulations to Air Creation USA for winning Special Light-Sport Aircraft approval for its newest weight-shift control aircraft called the Skypper.
Sebring LSA Expo wraps up successful weekend
January 23, 2013 by Leave a Comment
SEBRING, Florida —The ninth annual U.S. Sport Aviation Expo wrapped up a successful weekend of activities supporting general aviation and the Light-Sport Aircraft industry Sunday, Jan. 20. Expo officials estimate the weekend’s attendance will exceed last year’s record attendance of 16,000.
Stick wigglers vs. glass panel geeks
January 9, 2013 by 4 Comments
After flying more than 350 different aircraft models, I’ve become reasonably adept at what some pilots call “stick wiggling.” The reference is for all the actions you take to physically fly the plane. This is about what’s required on very basically-equipped ultralight aircraft that I still love to fly. Modern LSA, however, typically offer loaded instrument panels and, while I check out stalls, flight qualities and landings of a LSA, I rarely get any time to play with the panel goodies.
Fortunately, a recent experience in a brand-new Flight Design CTLSi provided a three-hour window to wiggle the stick, plus a whole lot more. [Read more...]
General aviation in China
January 8, 2013 by 1 Comment
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...]
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...]
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.
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