Summer is here, the rainy season is history in most parts of the country, and the flying is easy and fun. While aircraft used in transport have to soldier on through winter’s cold and other inclement weather, sport or recreational flying is done when it’s fun… naturally. And, of course, summer means EAA AirVenture Oshkosh […]
EASA finally releases LSA certification specifications
Try not to yawn. This is important. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), roughly the equivalent of FAA for the European Union, finally released its CS-LSA, or Certification Specification for Light-Sport Aircraft. While not exactly what the industry hoped for, it at least represents acceptance of the ASTM certification standards. That reduces uncertainty for LSA […]
Over the horizon LSA producers: Iran and Malaysia
Most of what our media reports about Iran is bad: Islamic militants. Contested elections. Brutal suppression of dissent. Nuclear ambitions. What we don’t hear is about the country’s light aircraft producers. Then consider Malaysia. Do you think of that country relative to aircraft production? Do you think of it in any way? My guess is […]
Triple Play: Pipistrel wins SLSA approvals
After a pause in new SLSA, Pipistrel burst onto the scene with multiple approvals — three at once — reports Michael Coates, the importer for Pipistrel USA. We raced to get these placed on the SLSA List because it’s news, but also because FAA uses this list to verify new models before assigning them N-numbers. […]
What’s going on at the top?
What do the following LSA have in common? Skycatcher, Paradise P1, Remos GX, SeaRey, and PiperSport. The answer: All the companies supplying these LSA have gone through major management changes in 2011. The most widely reported departure was that of Jack Pelton, who held the titles of president, CEO, and chairman at Cessna. Along with […]
What kind of pilot are you?
I’ve observed aviation for more years than I’m comfortable admitting. I’ve talked to a ton of pilots (one of the great joys of my life is to have met so many fine folks). Over those years, I’ve distilled the kind of pilots we are to “one or the other.” Yes, just that simple: This kind […]
Four-Stroke Part 103 Ultralight? Yes! And fun…
Sometimes you’re in the right place at the right time. Well, OK, I’m biased but I think pretty much any time at Wallaby Ranch — the iconic hang gliding facility south of Disney Orlando — is a good time. When it also happens to be “Demo Days,” Wallaby is a jumping place! Demo Days is […]
Electricity in the air
Dan Johnson, president of the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association, is an expert on Light Sport Aircraft. On the national scene, electric automobiles are generating lots of media attention, while the government has been subsidizing and using persuasion and incentives to whip up more interest and development activity for electric-powered vehicles. So, should it be any […]
Could Pipistrel win again?
Dan Johnson, president of the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association, is an expert on Light Sport Aircraft. Question: What looks like two motorgliders flying in really tight formation sharing an engine… er, a motor, literally between them? Can this Burt Rutan-looking aircraft (pictured) win the big dough? And I mean seriously big money with a purse […]