A dozen aircraft were available for a crowd numbering close to 500 people at the first and only east coast version of EAA’s Sport Pilot Tour. After being threatened by poor weather the week before due to Hurricane Ernesto, the Lawrence, Massachusetts stop 30 miles north of Boston enjoyed ideal weather. Weight shift trikes made their strongest appearance yet with three machines from companies that have won SLSA approval: AirBorne and Air Creation. *** One pleasant surprise was a visit from top FAA officials in the LSA office, Larry Clymer and Edsel Ford. Larry (inset photo, front seat) is the manager of FAA Light Sport Aviation Branch…but of keener interest to most Sport Pilot enthusiasts, he has now also logged 70 hours flying trikes. His predecessor, Marty Weaver, was a gyro pilot so Larry continues a theme of agency leaders who enjoy the activity as well as regulate it. EAA Chapter 106 hosted the event and provided food service.
