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Someone said that January's Sebring LSA Expo starts the year (and it did...with a bang), but that Sun 'n Fun launches the season. Well said, and indeed, April was a robust beginning to the 2008 flying season. The Lakeland Florida event provided lots of new Light-Sport Aircraft news and you'll read it here as we start our fifth year in operation as an LSA portal. ENJOY!

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...a web log of developments in Sport Pilot/Light-Sport Aircraft

CGS Aviation's Hawk Arrow II Wins SLSA Approval

May 6, 2008

CGS employee Nick Chrislieb, modeled the Hawk SLSA in bare airframe form at Sun 'n Fun 2007. Note the curved structural member above the aft tandem seat matching the one above Nick's head. Hawk has evolved significantly over 26 years of development. More Hawk facts.

The latest aircraft to earn Special Light-Sport Aircraft airworthiness (SLSA #77) is one of America's most familiar and best proven models. CGS Aviation first offered its Hawk model 26 years ago, in 1982. Since then, many model variations have been brought to market...single seat versions, two seaters, tri-gear, taildragger. Regular evolutionary changes resulted from the continuous process of development and refinement. These efforts have sold more than 1,750 Hawks to pilots who fly them across the USA and all over the globe. *** Many years after company owner and designer Chuck Slusarczyk first offered his "real airplane" ultralight, it is appropriate that he and his Hawk Arrow II join the SLSA parade. Customers have a major reason to rejoice. Read carefully: the first 10 Hawk SLSA will be sold for $39,995 ready-to-fly with the Rotax 582. This is, by a wide margin, the lowest price yet for any certified LSA. Hawk fulfills the promise of a low-price LSA that beckoned to many when the rule first came out in July 2004. *** Chuck advises that he will also offer the Hawk SLSA with the Jabiru 2200, the HKS 700E, or the Rotax 912UL. And, he plans to offer a kit ELSA to allow owners to do much of their own maintenance.

Hansen Air Group Imports the German Peregrine

May 5, 2008

In addition to handsome flowing lines, the Peregrine has two outstanding features Hansen displayed at Sun 'n Fun. Fowler flaps extend into two surfaces which makes for very smooth airflow. Flymap supplies an optional but gorgeous touch-screen map and primary flight display.

You probably know the Sky Arrow. This smooth tandem Light-Sport Aircraft from Italy uses exquisite construction and I found it to fly beautifully (read my report). Sky Arrow is imported by Jon Hansen and his family. Jon represented Tecnam aircraft (also of Italy) for several years, helping to launch that brand. Hansen Air Group and Tecnam ended their relationship a couple years back, and since then Jon and his team have been seeking another aircraft to represent. That search is over. *** At Sun 'n Fun 2008, Hansen Air Group showed their new entry, the FA-04 Peregrine, built by Flaeming Air of Germany. The low wing beauty is mostly carbon fiber and was refashioned to be a Special LSA, following Flaeming's success at winning VLA approval in Europe. Interesting Note: Hansen's Sky Arrow also started with VLA approval, which helped it qualify as an SLSA. *** "The FA-04's standard tricycle gear can easily be converted to a tail wheel by a certified mechanic," reported Jon's identical twin brother, Ron Hansen. Peregrine specs: span--31.5 ft; wing area--106 sq. ft; cabin width--44 in; empty weight--750 lbs; fuel capacity--26.4 gal; 75% power cruise--110 kts; climb rate--1,050 fpm.

Rotary Power for M-Squared's Part 103 Ultralight

May 2, 2008

At Sun 'n Fun 2008, M-Squared showed their new Part 103 Breese SS with the Revolution rotary engine. The effort is a collaboration with the Canada-based company represented by CEO George Payne (second from right) and Sales & Marketing Manager, Ray Anderson (second from left). M-Squared founder, Paul Mather (at far right), has been appointed the southeast U.S. distributor.

In the late 1970s, Mazda popularized the rotary engine for their RX-7 sports car. Such engines are particularly known for their smooth running operation. Many aviators can appreciate low-vibration powerplants but especially those flying the lightest of recreational aircraft, namely Part 103 machines. *** Now, M-Squared has partnered to offer such a combination. Revolution Rotary Engines Inc., a Canadian-based manufacturing company located in Markham, Ontario connected with M-Squared's Paul Mather to exploit the possibilities of rotary power. At Sun 'n Fun 2008, M-Squared showed a single place, strutted Breese with the R301A single cylinder rotary engine supplying 35 horsepower. Installed on M-Squared's lightweight Breese SS (single seat), the aircraft is said to remain within 103's tight parameters (assuming the buyer does not insist on options and accessories that would bump it over weight). *** The single rotor aircraft engine looks compact and weighs a reported 40 pounds. Paul found the 35-hp powerplant delivers good climb performance. *** The still unnamed model (Sun 'n Fun visitors were invited to help name the new aircraft) is offered at a modest price of $14,995...and of course, it being a Part 103 machine, buyers need no pilot's license, no medical, and the vehicle need not be registered with FAA. Sweet!

Europe Takes a Major Step to Adopt ASTM Standards

April 25, 2008

New European regulations could create a huge new market for U.S.-built aircraft like the IndUS Thorpedo (especially their new diesel!), Quicksilver GT500, AMD CH-601 XL, Legend Cub, CubCrafters Sport Cub, Rans S-7LS or S-19, Just Aircraft Highlander, and more. Plus, consider how inexpensive the re-exported X-Air LS would be...just 29,800 euros!

If that headline didn't cause you to turn away in boredom, let me tell you why it's important: American producers of LSA could find a golden opportunity. Broader acceptance of ASTM standards is good for the global LSA producer community. But the main impact may be for Light-Sport Airplanes made in the U.S. of A. *** Though the example applies to any U.S.-built airplane, let's take a ready-to-fly Rans S-7LS, selling for $85,000 in America. Today's exchange rate is 1.58 dollars to 1.00 euro. So, a European pilot who buys an S-7LS will pay 53,800 euros (plus shipping, taxes, etc.). For EU residents, spending one euro feels much the same as it does for an American to spend one dollar. Yet when they receive 53,800 euros for an S-7LS, Rans earns a similar profit as from an $85,000 sale in the USA. *** LAMA president Tom Gunnarson -- in the Czech Republic today for a show and meetings with EASA (like FAA) officials -- said that under European Light Aircraft (ELA) category 1, "EASA is proposing to create a Certification Specification for Light Sport Aeroplane (CS-LSA)...having a max takeoff weight of 600 kg, the same as an American LSA." With LAMA board member and European representative, Jo Konrad, Gunnarson is attending EASA meetings to assure LAMA members are well represented.

Big Crowds at the Sun 'n Fun LSA Mall

April 20, 2008

If you missed the Sun 'n Fun LSA Mall in 2008, please accept an invitation for April 21-26, 2009.

Sun 'n Fun 2008 is history, but planning is already underway for the 2009 event. Event boss John Burton confirmed we will again have the LAMA-hosted LSA Mall right at the front gate next April 21-26. A major success at this year's Lakeland, Florida airshow, the industry Mall presentation featured 17 Special Light-Sport Aircraft. Weather prevented Fantasy Air's Allegro from attending. Two days before the event, a tornado crushed a Sting S3 planned for display. And work at Quicksilver Manufacturing postponed the exhibit of the GT500 (they're finishing SLSA approval, reports national sales manager, Todd Ellefson). *** The 17 who were in the '08 LSA Mall enjoyed significant traffic all week and virtually every visitor to Sun 'n Fun was at least exposed to Light-Sport Aircraft in a wide variety (although we were not able to enlist any trike or powered parachute companies). Aircraft shown were: Flight Design CTLS, AirMax SeaMax, Jabiru USA J-250, IndUS Thorpedo, CubCrafters Sport Cub, FP&A A-22 Valor, Sportsplanes.com Breezer II, Just Aircraft Highlander on floats, Lambada motorglider, Gobosh G-700S, Remos G-3, CZAW SportCruiser, Legend Cub, AMD Patriot and CH-601, Evektor SportStar, and Paradise P-1. *** Joining LAMA inside the big welcome tent were Rotax and Jabiru LSA engines, BRS emergency parachutes, AirFleet Capital (LSA financing), and ASA training resources featuring Paul Hamilton (who also made a special 30-minute DVD of LSA flying in scenic locations). LAMA plus tens of thousands of visitors thank all who participated!

IndUS Unveils the First-Ever LSA Diesel

April 13, 2008

Rules for Light-Sport Aircraft allow plenty of room to experiment and IndUS took advantage with their new Thorpedo DP. The three cylinder engine is turbocharged and supercharged to produce 120 horsepower.

Sun 'n Fun has been a rip-roaring success for Light-Sport Aircraft. The new LSA Mall right at the main entrance gate has been thick with traffic all week and even the weather cooperated after a day-before-opening deluge of rain (5+ inches in a few hours!). In the days ahead, I'll have lots more LSA news for SPLOG readers. *** On Saturday, IndUS Aviation unveiled their first-in-the-industry diesel-powered Thorpedo DP. News media and interested parties turned out to hear IndUS leaders speak about the project. The Dallas, Texas-based company finally pulled back the curtain after months of work to reveal their WAM-120 three cylinder, two-stroke engine tucked neatly under their new shapely nose cowl. *** Turbocharged and supercharged, the 120-horsepower engine burns a mere 3 gallons of Jet A per hour. This fuel is widely available around the world (important to an international seller like IndUS) where 100LL is not. According to IndUS president Ram Pattisapu, "[The WAM-120 is] quiet and has unbelievable climb performance." *** ASTM has a compression engine standard for diesel engines; IndUS is the first to use it and is presently pursuing certification of the Thorpedo DP. They expect to offer the aircraft for sale by AirVenture Oshkosh 2008.

For more SPLOG postings, see the SPLOG section under Light Sport Aircraft.