Pilot Reports

Sportair USA thinks the American Cub replicas — those from CubCrafters or American Legend — are rather expensive. After all, when LSA started and the European aircraft began arriving, those across-the-Atlantic manufacturers enjoyed very low wage rates and lower general costs allowing them to sell at prices below that U.S.-based producers could match. A couple […]

Meet a top-quality, good-cruisin’, fun-flyin’ German composite

A turbo benefits far more than high-altitude cruise

Two of the best-promoted and most interesting LSA projects – and two of the most delayed getting to market – are back in the news. Icon Aircraft, a startup company created to produce the sexy composite A5 amphibian, just snagged  $25 million in funding to help complete remaining design issues, tool up for production and begin […]

Plenty of folks think LSA are mainly carbon fiber speedsters with autopilots and huge computer screen instrumentation. No doubt, we have some beauties that are equipped like luxury sport planes. If you’ve got the budget, the Light-Sport industry has the aircraft. Yet not everyone can afford those birds and not everyone wants one. *** FAA […]

Most of the 118 Special Light-Sport Aircraft have been developed on a very modest budget… not that there’s anything wrong with that, of course. By far, the highest figure I’ve heard was about $2 million to create a new SLSA model. Yet that number doesn’t include starting a company from scratch and going all the […]

Premier Aircraft of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., has created its own ultra version of the Diamond DA40 XLS

Seaplane fans represent one of aviation’s most enthusiastic user groups and few brands can claim more reliable loyalty than 600 owners give SeaRey. The central Florida producer got numerous owners to come help them move when they relocated into expansive new quarters in Tavares, Florida, which has claimed the title of “America’s Seaplane City.” Even […]

The Piper Archer soldiers on into a new generation

Wings, webbed feet and wheels add up to the ultimate hybrid bird