Affordable Aviation

In a year of facilitating independent audits for Special Light-Sport Aircraft, LAMA, the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association, completed reviews of six companies: IndUS (Thorpedo); Jihlavan (Kappa KP-5); Aeropro (EuroFox); Flight Design (CT); Czech Aircraft Works (SportCruiser, Mermaid, & Parrot); and Evektor (SportStar). CZAW and Evektor were announced at a press conference at AirVenture Oshkosh 2007; […]

Among new LSA approvals, some sneak by my observation post. Two new entrants make an interesting couple. One is our first-ever glider approval; the other is a new “Sport Pilot eligible” aircraft but not an SLSA. Curious? *** LSA Gliders of Wisconsin won a SLSA airworthiness certificate for the first glider meeting ASTM standards. They […]

He could see the benefit for his company’s sales, so Fk Leichtflugzeuge — or FK Lightplanes — president Peter Funk came from Speyer, Germany to support his new American importer, Tony Anderson of Fk Lightplanes USA. Tony brought his family operation to Sebring and their classy display at the main intersection of the U.S. Sport […]

Hot and heavy before the Sun ‘n Fun airshow opens, cool and light SLSA are on the fast track to approval. The latest announcement from Just Aircraft — formerly of Idaho and now of Walhallo, South Carolina — represents the 33rd aircraft model to qualify. Company spokesmen Harry Berndt and Troy Woodland informed me today […]

Way back in time, back before Light-Sport Aircraft…well, five or six years ago, Skyboy was one of the hot ultralight models. Prices were low, flight qualities were good, and cabin comfort was excellent. It also had a unique look. But after a fast start, Skyboy seemed to lose direction. Even a name change was attempted […]

For more than 20 years I served on the board of the U.S. Hang Gliding Association, or USHGA. …or some called it phonetically, “Yoosh-Ga.” During my tenure on the 25-person board, the better-organized hang gliding group assimilated the paragliding community. Despite lengthy and passionate debates, the name of the association did not change and its […]

Luscombe Silvaire Airplane Company recently announced winning SLSA approval for their Silvaire LSA-8 entry in the Sport Pilot sweepstakes. Silvaire is model 43 to earn its Special LSA airworthiness certificate. Luscombe Silvaire set the base price at $90,000 for a VFR model with night capability and flaps (neither of which were standard for modest aircraft […]

Cessna shows an LSA. Van’s Aircraft shows an LSA. Cessna flies their LSA. Van’s flies their LSA. Is it a race? Company founder and designer Dick VanGrunsven first flew his RV-12 on November 9th. The largest airplane builder (Cessna) and the largest kit company (Van’s) have now flown their LSA entries, each a product of […]

Welcome to the 27th SLSA to be approved. Storm Aircraft of Italy has struck a deal to have their Rally manufactured in the U.S. by Prestige Aircraft, of Jackson, Michigan. This carbon fiber and Kevlar all-composite machine using the 100-hp Rotax 912S is base priced at $85,000. Prestige has appointed Air Elite Aviation of Three […]

As with EAA’s premiere LSA Mall at AirVenture 2005, the area is proving a huge hit again in 2006 and drawing large crowds interested in LSA. Not all 38 SLSA are present but all the leading brands (measured by deliveries) are on exhibit. *** One new model revealed at the event is Kappa Aircraft‘s KP-5. […]