General Aviation Aircraft

Through the first six months of 2008, Light-Sport Aircraft deliveries have reflected the same challenges afflicting the rest of general or sport aviation…and for that matter, the overall U.S. economy. In fact, LSA registrations aren’t off as badly as are GA deliveries, perhaps due to significantly better fuel economy in an LSA. These FAA registrations […]

Most aviation participants have been wringing their hands over the declining pilot population. FAA’s database of active pilots has dropped from 825,000 when I began flying to less than 600,000 today…all while the U.S. population has grown by 50 million. We are clearly doing something wrong, and have for too long had a too-inward focus. […]

You might say it’s Sirius when TL-3000 takes to the air for the first time. Kidding aside, the new model’s U.S. importer is seriously happy about their composite high wing making its initial flight. Czech producer TL-Ultralight makes the sleek low-wing StingSport that SportairUSA has been selling since the first SLSA lifted into American skies. […]

Despite an economic slowdown shared by all of aviation, the LSA industry is rich with entrepreneurs. Innovative new designs hit the market regularly. Consider this: In just over three years, the industry has certified an astounding 81 aircraft designs and several more are on the horizon. One hundred certified LSA might be available by 2009, […]

The basic design may be 40 years old, but the 2008 Baron G58 flies with a newborn’s enthusiasm and

With more than 1,400 aircraft registered in the States, the phenomenon keeps growing!

The Diamond DA20 brings fun and enthusiasm to flight training

2008 Beechcraft Baron G58 Engine make/model: Continental IO-550C Horsepower: 300@SL TBO (hrs.): 1700 Fuel type: 100LL Propeller type: CS Landing gear type: Tri./Retr. Max ramp weight (lbs.): 5524 Gross weight (lbs.): 5500 Landing weight (lbs.): 5400 Maz zero-fuel weight (lbs.): 5215 Empty weight, std. (lbs.): 4050 Useful load, std. (lbs.): 1450 Payload, full std. fuel […]

2008 Diamond DA20-C1 Eclipse Base/used Price: $174,495 Engine make/model: Continental IO-240-B3B Horsepower: 125@SL TBO (hrs.): 2000 Fuel type: 100LL Propeller: 69-in. Sensenich FP Landing gear type: Tri./Fixed Gross weight (lbs.): 1764 Empty weight, std. (lbs.): 1164 Useful load, std. (lbs.): 600 Payload, full std. fuel (lbs.): 456 Usable fuel, std. (gals.): 24 Wingspan: 35 ft. […]

One glance at almost any view of the Icon A5 will tell you this isn’t like any Light-Sport Aircraft you’ve ever seen. Oh, the Nexaer was shapely and showed innovative thinking. And certainly, we have many fine LSA on the market. Yet nothing I’ve seen compares to the Wow! factor that comes when your eyes […]