Affordable Aviation

While lots of attention was paid to the PiperSport at Sun ‘n Fun 2010, and while Cessna’s Skycatcher remains the dominant collector of order deposits, another legacy producer that has entered the LSA sector is Van’s Aircraft. *** By most reckoning, Van’s can lay claim to being the largest kit aircraft company in the world. […]

Chatting tonight with Piper’s Chief Pilot Bart Jones as the fifth day of the six day airshow wound down, as our conversation drifted to our favorite LSA, I asked him, “Do you have any idea what kind of business Piper’s done?” *** I figured he wouldn’t have much to say on the topic as these […]

While talking to an enterprising Dutchman who markets several non-aviation, but exceptionally beautiful road machines and accessories (Can you dig a gorgeous, classic Carroll Shelby replica Cobra signed by the great man himself for $60,000?), he pointed to a man walking by and said, “There goes Eggenfellner, he makes a beautiful modified Honda engine for […]

Every year at Sun ‘n Fun the nearby Fantasy of Flight Museum puts on a Splash-In.  Aircraft of the waterfowl persuasion, from amphibians to seaplanes to float versions of GA, Experimental and LSA types hang out and participate in some fun contests, including spot landing, grapefruit bomb drop and…short water takeoff. *** The last task […]

One of the earliest and most popular SLSA on the market is the Gobosh 700.  Co-Impresario Dave Graham extols its virtues of “aliveness” and my sentiments echo his: it’s a friendly, comfortable, responsive and thoroughly enjoyable airplane to fly.  *** Dave’s installed the new Dynon Skyview into it, and calls the model the Gobosh 700DX. […]

Could my spot survey of just a few LSA companies at the show be the harbinger of better things to come?  American Legend Aircraft prez Darrin Hart told me yesterday his company had sold three S-LSA and two Texas Star Cub kits…only three days into the show. *** Dave Graham of Gobosh reports two sales […]

After a few days in a new location for 2010, the LSA Mall hosted by LAMA and supported by Aviators Hot Line / Light Aviation Edition has proven to be a hit. On Friday (day 4), crowds were especially thick. All 18 airplanes in the Mall were often surrounded several deep. *** Winds finally moderated […]

…back in Kansas?  Little Totomeister, I gotta say, the winds blew so strong today I saw a full chicken caesar salad in its covered plastic container sail horizontally by my head like a UFO on a mission. *** I even had to postpone a photo shoot until tomorrow at dawn.  Oh joy. *** No complaints […]

When the going gets tough, goes the old motivational phrase, the tough get going. *** The LSA industry had a hard year in 2009, as did all of General Aviation…not to mention the economy. *** And although news pops up here and there indicating better times are – eventually – coming, the most resilient companies […]

The weather looks gorgeous; aircraft are landing at Lakeland Linder Field; booths are sprouting up like spring mushrooms. *** Even as Aero Friedrichshafen in Germany flies into the sunset, it’s the first day of America’s annual spring bash in Lakeland, Florida. *** Tens of thousands of daily visitors will have their chance to chase down […]