Affordable Aviation

Massachusetts-based Terrafugia announced today the first flight of its proof of concept Transition “roadable aircraft.” The maiden flight occurred on March 5th and followed six months of static, road, and taxi testing. Transition made its first escape from Earth at the Plattsburgh, New York airport, flown by retired Air Force colonel Phil Meteer who reported, […]

What on Earth could something called nanoballs have to do with flying Light-Sport Aircraft? Potentially great news, that’s what. *** Since the early 1990s I’ve followed developments in nanotechnology. This word refers to manufacturing at the atomic scale and many believe it will significantly alter the world in the next decade or two. Some nanoscale […]

What to the following events have in common? …Sebring LSA Expo, Heart of Texas LSA Expo, Midwest LSA Expo, Sport Pilot Tour… Answer: All are focused marketing shows generating keenly interested crowds to examine Light-Sport Aircraft. When that happens, business arrangements sometime result, and not all deals are between airplane buyers and sellers. *** At […]

Exhibitor Chris Regis of Paradise USA (representing the P-1) reported “good visitor traffic” and “excellent organization” from the people behind the Heart of Texas LSA Expo. The new event, held over March 8 & 9 is one of two planned shows following the strong 2009 performance at the pioneer of LSA Expos, the Sebring U.S. […]

The hum of interest in electric-powered aircraft continues, a parallel to development of electric automobiles. Despite their woes all over the news, the auto industry is spending millions on electric power. In sharp contrast, electric airplane developments are being done on tiny budgets by entrepreneurs. Yet enough development is happening that the German Aero show […]

In FAA’s official letter sent by John Colomy, Acting Manager of the Small Aircraft Directorate, the Federal Aviation Administration states, “The majority of facility assessments are now complete and the FAA is confident that LSA manufacturer’s compliance can match that of the commercial aviation manufacturers.” Colomy continues, “This will be a major accomplishment since using […]

Consider the Zenair / Zenith / AMD family of enterprises… Following family patriarch, Canadian Chris Heintz (the designer) are Missouri-based son Sebastien Heintz (the kit supplier) and Georgia-based son Mathieu Heintz (the aircraft producer). Another sibling, Michael Heintz acts as a dealer in California. The Heintzes also have a family of aircraft models. *** Zenith […]

Sebring was a welcome event for all who participated. Companies that stayed home may be wondering if that was the right move. With record crowds, airplane orders taken, and merchandise selling out, the Florida LSA show gave a welcome lift to a global aviation industry that’s been laying off workers by the thousands. But, besides […]

After three days of Sebring 2009, the upbeat mood has mushroomed. I heard zero negative comments and dozens of positive statements defining the Fifth Annual Sebring Expo as an unqualified success. As cleverly keyboarded by aviation writer, Jim Lawrence (LSA Editor for Plane & Pilot magazine — read his blog on Sebring): “Take that, bad […]

I’m still contemplating the major success of the Fifth Annual Sebring Expo, which shrugged off the doldrums of 2008. Let’s review: AOPA is the leading pilot organization in the world. Their flagship magazine, Pilot, has by far the largest circulation of any magazine in aviation. Their Expo is long established. *** Yet it appears January’s […]