Affordable Aviation

Reporting from right in the middle of the firestorm, Higher Class Aviation owner Robert Gaither called to say, “We’re OK!” His Ramona Airport operation building the Sport Hornet benefits from being on station with fire fighting aircaft. More-than-willing pilots of those aircraft have been grounded by high winds. Meanwhile, ground-based firemen know they need to […]

Fantasy Air USA and LSA America in central North Carolina sell three SLSA: Interplane SkyBoy, Fantasy Air Allegro 2007, and Flying Machines Mystique. They’ll soon also have the Part 103 ZJ Viera. *** In addition to distributing LSA nationally, Fantasy Air USA runs a profitable flight training operation. Proprietors Doug and Betty Hempstead report 33 […]

Over January 17-20, 2008 every significant company in Light-Sport Aircraft will be in Sebring, Florida. The Sebring Expo preludes with an ASTM meeting. During the event LAMA hosts its annual member meeting and dinner plus its board will meet. EAA will organize a slate of info forums. Importantly, vendors can deliver demo flights all day […]

In September, as the Cessna Skycatcher’s wave of orders soaked up funds that might have gone to other SLSA, Jabiru logged the most FAA registrations — 6 more J-250s, bringing the company to 44 units delivered and placing the model 9th overall among fixed wing airplanes. In second place, CT, CH-601XL, and Skyboy each added […]

Most pilots know AOPA, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, has been fighting the user fee battle…and they’ve been doing well resisting the might of the U.S. government. But they must also have a connection with Mother Nature as warm, beautiful weather shined on opening day at Connecticut’s Brainard airport. *** On display: StingSport, Skylark, […]

Sometimes it seems like all the attention is focused on fixed wing Special Light-Sport Aircraft. This makes some sense as they represent the majority, about 80% of all types. Still, you can’t ignore weight shift trike producers and those working to achieve airworthiness for powered parachutes. After a slow start, we now have 6 trike […]

In only the third approval under the new Sport Pilot rule, B Bar D Aviation and Fantasy Air USA announced news that their Allegro 2000 has received its certification as a Special Light-Sport Aircraft. Allegro 2000 has been warmly received and Fantasy Air USA can now begin deliveries of ready-to-fly aircraft to customers that have […]

Unsure about the certification used for LSA? Don’t know about premium-priced LSA from distant countries? Struggling to accept Rotax power? If you ask yourself these questions as some GA pilots are doing at AOPA’s Hartford Expo, then you might want to consider The Champ for under $90,000 or $100K nicely equipped. Here’s a familiar aircraft […]

If you fly a two-seat ultralight, I hope you’re aware of a big change just ahead: the January 31, 2008 deadline when you must transition such aircraft to Experimental LSA. Some have acted already. Many have not. FAA says that date is firm and will not change. *** But outgoing FAA Adminstrator Marion Blakey also […]

If you fly a two-seat ultralight, I hope you’re aware of a big change just ahead: the January 31, 2008 deadline when you must transition such aircraft to Experimental LSA. Some have acted already. Many have not. FAA says that date is firm and will not change. *** But outgoing FAA Adminstrator Marion Blakey also […]