Splog

Day One of Sun ‘n Fun got off to a solid start even if a number of light aircraft arrivals are still pending. Rans Aircraft boss Randy Schlitter is one stuck behind a solid band of weather in northern Florida and he is not the only one. Day One also brought afternoon showers that drenched […]

After earlier news about the change of representation for Jabiru aircraft, a fresh announcement was made as Sun ‘n Fun 2018 was about to start. “Arion Aircraft, LLC has been appointed North American Distributor for Jabiru Engines, firewall-forward kits, and engine parts,” according to a joint press release issues by all parties to the arrangement. […]

One bone of contention among LSA sellers is that legacy flight schools — the sort that typically uses Cessna or Piper trainers — sometimes disregard LSA as trainer aircraft. “They’re built too lightly.” “The nose wheels are too weak.” “My mechanic doesn’t know the Rotax engine.” Some may have even more creative excuses. I’ve interviewed […]

Let me be clear. I have no issue with sharks in the sea. Besides, I don’t write about sea creatures. This Shark is one I’ve long admired since meeting its creator, Jaro Dostal many years ago at the German airshow Aero Friedrichshafen …which will begin in mere days — we’ll be scouring the event for […]

Besides LSA seaplanes, one area of furious development (and sales) is gyroplanes, the term modern industry prefers to “gyrocopter,” which was actually a branded name used since the days of Igor Benson. A new player, arriving on the scene about five years ago, is Rotorvox. Americans have not seen this aircraft but will soon get […]

After you finish Easter Sunday dinner with the family, how about going out for a spin on your new Scorpion 3 Hoverbike? Is this merely an April fools joke? Apparently not. Video appears to prove this machine, though with the state of the art in digital effects, anything you see can be fiction. As many […]

The newest SLSA on our List is a weight-shift control aircraft from Evolution Trikes, the folks who put the trike world on a pedestal with their remarkably deluxe and superbly finished Revo (see our Video Pilot Report of Revo and Part 2). Following that BMW of trikes (Revo) Evolution released Rev, a Part 103-capable single seat […]

Scott Severen is an old friend and a longtime veteran of the light aircraft business. In addition to a long career with wide experience, Scott is a board member of the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association (LAMA). Most recently, as US Sport Planes, he took over American sales of Jabiru LSA when former importer Pete Krotje […]

Recently I had an exchange with Australian Flying magazine editor, Steve Hitchen. He asked some great questions and after giving my responses I realized some of his question were common ones I hear being discussed. So why not share our give-and-take? Steve’s questions are in blue. I’d like to talk about power. With LSA restricted to 120 […]

Since I saw what had to be Randy Schlitter’s first appearance at Sun ‘n Fun, and since he is celebrating the 35th anniversary of the first flight of his S3 single-place Coyote I …well, we’ve been in this game for a good amount of time. And a “good time” is exactly what it has been. […]