Dan Johnson, president of the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association, is an expert on Light Sport Aircraft. October brought the first flight of the Lycoming O-233 in a Falcon Light-Sport Aircraft. This adds the famed Lycoming nameplate to a stable of LSA powerplant brands including Rotax, Jabiru, and Continental, plus the CubCrafters CC340 engine. To these, […]
Copperstate 2010 on the horizon
Dan Johnson, president of the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association, is an expert on Light Sport Aircraft. During my recent appearance on the Powered Sport Flying (Internet) Radio Show, I said I remained amazed that although the western U.S. has a large share of all pilots and airplanes in the country, no airshow seems to have […]
Here come the big boys
Dan Johnson, president of the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association, is an expert on Light Sport Aircraft. Perhaps you’ve noticed we have not been reporting market share information as often as we once did. Two reasons: The market has matured, meaning the leaders are distancing themselves from niche producers and the rank positions aren’t moving around […]
Inexpensive aerial fun
Dan Johnson, president of the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association, is an expert on Light Sport Aircraft. People tried to call it Oh-nex, but the giveaway is the single seat. I get it… One-ex. The clever name is adapted from the company name and one of its models, Sonex, and fits with the Waiex and Xenos. […]
Maverick first to market with LSA “Flying Car”
Dan Johnson, president of the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association, is an expert on Light Sport Aircraft. Terrafugia has been getting tons of press and no wonder. The MIT brain trust developing the Transition is breaking new ground in numerous ways. While we await their sophisticated “roadable airplane,” a simpler flying car concept won its SLSA […]
As sales slow, LSA companies use pause to refine their products
Dan Johnson, president of the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association, is an expert on Light Sport Aircraft. The sluggish economy has slowed the pace of new model introductions. Holding steady at 109 approved Light-Sport Aircraft — every one of which arrived in the last five and a half years — more designs are still to come. […]
Electric ultralights and battery science
Dan Johnson, president of the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association, is an expert on Light Sport Aircraft. I am not alone in thinking Part 103 ultralight aircraft are the ideal platform for initial development of electric powered aircraft. Sure, someday you’ll be able to fly your 2-4 seater for 300-400 miles or more, recharge in the […]
It’s show time for the Midwest LSA Expo
Dan Johnson, president of the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association, is an expert on Light Sport Aircraft. The second annual Midwest LSA Expo is set to launch. The exhibitor count is up from last year’s inaugural event, according to main organizer Chris Collins. Print and web publisher Roy Beisswenger has organized a slate of forums, including […]
How to count training by a Sport Pilot instructor
A gentleman at Oshkosh asked me a question about Sport Pilot instructors and I’m afraid I gave a misleading answer. Even though I inhabit the Sport Pilot/Light-Sport Aircraft space all day, every day, it isn’t hard to get a detail incorrect. My expertise is on the LSA side and less so the SP side, so […]