“SLSA Coming February 2006” — AirBorne 912 XT

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • New ASTM standards for weight-shift aircraft (trikes) have finally been approved after an appeal process, enabling their Special Light Sport Aircraft (SLSA) certification.
  • The approval means trikes can now pursue SLSA certificates, prompting a "race" among manufacturers.
  • AirBorne's XT series trikes are well-positioned for SLSA qualification, already certified to Australian government standards.
  • AirBorne is currently taking orders for its SLSA XT-912s for February delivery, encouraging customers to place deposits to secure 2005 pricing.
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A proud Terri Sipantzi poses by his newly approved Experimental Light Sport Aircraft (ELSA) AirBorne XT912 with Streak III wing. For info on AirBorne’s coming SLSA, email Terri.

In mid-May 2005 SPLOG announced the weight-shift aircraft ASTM standards were done. Indeed, they were, but implementation was stopped with a lengthy appeal. After a 40-page defense, the appeal was subsequently overturned and the specification was again put up for vote. This time it passed, and trikes finally have a standard. AirBorne’s XT series trikes are already certified to government standards in Australia so the down-under company should qualify for SLSA with relative ease. After the new standard was confirmed, Eastern U.S. AirBorne rep’ Terri Sipantzi of Precision Windsports reported, “AirBorne is now taking orders on SLSA XT-912s for delivery in February.” He encourages potential customers to lock in 2005 prices with an order and deposit placed now. The race begins to see which trike will be first with an SLSA certificate.

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