While Sebring 2012 crowds were the best ever and plentiful aircraft made for good shopping resulting in a flurry of sales, one of the best aspects of Sebring 2012 was ideal weather. Numerous pilots experienced some of their final choices before handing over the cash. Such perfect conditions also allowed reporters to get in on the action. *** I will be writing about several flying machines and I begin now with a mini-report on Alto 100. Following will be reports on the U.S.-made Allegro 2007, the new Bristell, and another American project, the Renegade. I'll also have an update on value-leader, Aerotrek plus views of a fully-decked-out, open cockpit M-Squared Breese. In addition videographer Dave Loveman and I did several new videos that we'll upload as fast as we can. All the preceding is offered for free yet we appreciate your membership support as we log what appears to be an all-time record month for ByDanJohnson.com! |||| Alto 100 from Direct Fly is one of those (presently) lower tier producers. Many pilots focus on the Top-12 LSA sellers as though they are the only viable candidates, but as I've regularly noted, we have up-and-comers in the lower ranks. One of these may be the Alto 100, represented by Corbi Air. *** My flight impressions concluded with three excellent landings. Importer Ron Corbi was kind to compliment my skills but I give Alto most of the credit. Alto 100 is highly controllable allowing me to "feel for the runway" as Ron put it by which he means I flew a deep flare, main gear hung low, to let Alto descend slowly to the runway. I flared somewhat higher than optimal but Alto touched down every time with remarkable gentleness. Even with a short 27-foot span, sink rate was a respectable 600 fpm and glide on final was strong enough to permit slipping to increase descent. Even without its potent flaps, no one should have trouble getting Alto down in the first third of the runway. *** Earlier air work: • Stalls were extremely mild; every stall was modest even when the nose was held high in the air. • Accelerated (turning) stalls never dropped a wing though a pronounced buffet could be felt even by a novice pilot. • Steep turns were so easy, even at a 45-degree bank, that I could let go of the stick. *** Negatives are few: • Trim buttons lack some tactile feel so I quick-punched the stick-top controls to relieve control pressure. • As with most LSA you need to use but not overuse the rudders. Uncoordinated use of the controls set the electronic Dynon ball swinging though control feel is so positive that a few more trials quickly brought better results. • Alto 100 isn't the fastest LSA; dashes in opposite directions showed a max cruise of about 104 knots at 3,000 feet MSL. *** For one of its primary markets, flight schools, Alto 100 is especially well behaved; students should love it yet learn excellent control skills. Experienced pilots will love Alto's mannerly flight characteristics. *** Corbi said Direct Fly has built about 40 aircraft so far. The Czech company has been very responsive to requests for alterations to suit the American market, both for individuals and flight schools. I see Alto 100 as a strong candidate sure to rise in market share.

The eighth running of Sebring just finished and a resounding success it was on nearly all counts. A few dour faces noted exhibitors were off a rather modest 5% (according to officials) but in every other category, smiles were broad from most attending or exhibiting at Sebring 2012. *** The weather was the best ever with temperatures hitting 80 degrees and every day was sunny and pleasant. My colleague, Jim Lawrence, presents many interesting points in his January 21 article. Here I'll add my own views and experiences and both of us will have more in the days ahead. *** Metric #1 — Attendance set an opening day record on Thursday the 19th, surprising many, though perhaps expectations were low after the last three years of economic sluggishness. On Friday evening, airport manager Mike Willingham told me an all-time Sebring Expo record was set on the second day and judging from the thick crowds clustered around nearly every booth and filling the walkways, that was easy to believe. Saturday was also good though the new Sebring management team hadn't yet tallied the results. See Update below. *** Metric #2 — Sales were reported from many aircraft sellers. My informal, non-scientific survey revealed solid sales (money paid or contracts signed) at the show possibly hitting 20 airplanes. Even more surprising was the estimate of perhaps 50 sales generated at the event that should follow in the weeks ahead. By any benchmark this would be outstanding and I heard positive comments from so many that the potential sales results seem credible. Plenty of happy pilots are going to be racking up flight hours this season. Numerous non-airframe vendors also reported good sales with several saying, "best Sebring ever... sold out of product," and similar comments. *** Metric #3+ — Demo operations were torrid with hundreds of demonstration flights given plus airport operations were busy enough — over 220 in one intense hour, officials reported — to make Sebring the busiest airport in Florida and enough to challenge the Atlanta and Chicago airline airports. Visiting aircraft flew in by the hundreds and were parked in long lines on Sebring's outlying runways and taxiways. In addition the parking lots were loaded. Food vendors were so busy that getting a seat in the 300-seat main activities tent sponsored by AeroShell meant planning ahead or eating after others were done. |||| Among the hundreds of demo flights were many by media reporters so you can expect pilot reports and more to follow in magazines and several online outlets. *** I was privileged to fly the Allegro 2007 — now 100% American made (formerly a Czech Republic product), the Bristell from the Czech Republic, and the 124-hp Lycoming O-233-powered Renegade — another all-American aircraft that first came out of Hungary. All three were very pleasant and inspiring aircraft, each quite different in various ways. *** The Allegro 2007 is ideal for primary flight training. Indeed, one Allegro has now logged more than 4,000 hours, all via instruction use thereby largely disproving the allegation that LSA can't hold up to student duty. The Bristell is a fifth-generation, highly refined SLSA that at least four reporters (including yours truly) flew to rave reviews. It seems designer Milan Bristela didn't miss a trick in executing this new design. The Renegade is one gutsy bird with the highest-powered engine in the LSA Fleet other than CubCrafters 180-hp Carbon Cub SS or the iTec Maverick. We saw 1,700 fpm climb after breaking ground and a rock-solid feel in the air. I can't wait to sample the taildragger version in late-stage development. All these aircraft will get more attention in the days ahead. Watch for articles to follow! *** Congratulations to Jana Filip, Mike Willingham, and the whole Sebring team for taking over from much appreciated founding chairman Bob Wood to continue the steady growth and development of the Sebring U.S. Sport Aviation Expo. After a sterling performance in 2012, Sebring is assured a prominent space in the aviation calendar and is certainly a positive and powerful way to start off the flying year. Based on 2012's quality outcome, I predict Sebring will grow and prosper well into the future. Update 1/24/12 — Sebring reported 16,000 visitors for the event, a number significantly larger than total attendees at AOPA's Summit and bigger than all but a few other aviation trade shows. —DJ

Sebring is alive and well and gliding along better than ever. That's more than I can say for the wireless where I've tried to post since Thursday night, so today, you get two point five posts for the price of one. *** First bit of news: Opening day Thursday was the best attended in the show’s eight year history (not five years as I doofishly reported the other day). Aiding and abetting: beautiful, absolutely beautiful weather. No hurricanes, no clouds of leaflets from Republican Presidential hopefuls, just a lavishly enjoyable (for us snowbirds at least) 70 degrees, with a steady 10 knot wind a good part of the day, followed by a crisp, clear night. Thank the Maker. *** Your humble blogster took full advantage of opening day by spending almost half of it shooting and flying the new BRM Bristell S-LSA (yes, it’s ASTMified). A very, very sweet ship. Think second generation Piper Sport nee SportCruiser, since the low-wing monoplane bears a design familiarity of clean, attractive lines and is, if not a sibling, certainly a cousin to that seminal Czech design. *** Bristell designer Milan Bristela is here at the show with John Calla to give the airplane some street cred. Milan co-designed the original SportCruiser and is full designer of this new airplane. Clearly he’s incorporated many things we’ve all learned along the way, including about the roomiest low-wing cockpit, at 51", I’ve had the pleasure to fly. *** That’s just frosting on the cake, though: if the SportCruiser/Piper Sport is a light, playful airplane that lands itself, rolls around the sky with enjoyable and docile characteristics, the Bristell really feels like a GA airplane. All three axes are beautifully harmonized, the stick feel and responsiveness are both muted and lively. I mean it’s neither twitchy like a spring colt nor sluggish like a one-track dray horse, but both smooth and firm in control handling, and wonderfully quick to jump to your commands. *** Many thoughtful features like a painted sun screen built into the canopy top, 600 lb. useful load, lovely aerodynamics, 1000+ fpm climb, sturdy, sturdy tricycle gear, outsized GA-robust landing gear with Goodyear tires, very lively nosewheel steering (a little too twitchy, but as my endlessly energetic demo host, former C-130 Special Ops driver John Rathwell was quick to tell me, a simple tweak is in the works for that), and all in all, quite an airplane. I’ll properly flesh out my positive impressions when I write the pilot report. For now let’s say this creation of Mr. Bristela is a solid, mature, sophisticated design with many fine details, it’s very comfortable, most certainly enjoyable to fly, and beautifully finished inside and out. *** Alright, that’s way too much for an airplane blog post so let’s move on: I spent a very interesting hour with Roger Crow, a 35-year Air National Guard fighter pilot and law enforcement aviator who briefed me on how his Echo Flight Resources company out of Tulsa has transmogrified a Flight Design CTLE into an aerial surveillance platform, complete with a highly sophisticated aerial video ball turret camera that’s controlled by a John Law techie in the right seat in pursuit of people doing bad things. I’m hoping to do a story on it for the magazine: a fascinating look into how useful LSA are at dramatically cutting costs without compromising performance one bit over similarly equipped Cessna 172s and 182s, and helicopters, which cost a whole lot more to operate than a CTLS. He’s winning over converts with law enforcement orgs across the country, because he’s one of a small club and speaks the lingo. At the annual LAMA dinner Thursday night, it’s prez Dan Johnson and his lovely wife Randee along with a host of sponsors and volunteers and new Sebring fearless leader Jana Filip put on an excellent feed, a raffle of prizes, and a presentation by EAA’s new President, Rod Hightower, followed by an excellent video short from EAA’s superb video department. Friday, although no official numbers were in as I dragged myself off to dinner and to rescue my newly arrived roommate, P&P publisher Mike McMann, from being GPS-lost in the crocodile-infested badlands east of Sebring, looked to be another record day. Lots of folks walking around, kicking tires, taking demo rides throughout yet another gorgeous day. *** Highlights for Friday included catching up with Charles Stites of Able Flight, that wonderful organization that underwrites, with four types of scholarships, the flying dreams of disabled people. Seven more dedicated and determined people, including a deaf woman and a multiple combat amputee successfully negotiated Sport Pilot training to defy the odds. As I told Charles after the update, I always feel better after talking with him. *** Another guy who always lifts my spirits is Boris Popov, founder of BRS parachutes. Boris and I go back more decades than either of us care to acknowledge, when I first began extolling the virtues of the ballistic ‘chute concept he successfully brought to market. *** How good would you feel to wake up every morning and know something you created had incontestably saved hundreds of lives over the years. Yeah. Way cool. By the way, forgot to mention feel-good band Ravi performed for the exhibitor’s reception Wednesday night and also at the LAMA dinner. The band’s namesake Ravi tours the world performing original songs, conducting clinics and lecturing on crucial issues facing the music and aviation industries – two groups you don’t often see conflated. A talented and engaging young pilot/musician, you can find out more at www.theRaviator.com. The twin brothers Hansen and the twin brothers Hansen (one father’s sons are also twins) of Hansen Air Group demonstrated changing the cockpits on the sexy FK12 Comet from a single canopy to two-holer and also folding the wings, all in about five minutes. Hansens the younger performed the operation as the elder sibs “supervised”. *** I’ll be flying the Comet tomorrow for a future report. What a very cool bipe indeed. *** Finally, because it’s bed time for yours truly, Randy Lervold of Cubcrafters and his superb pilot Clay (didn’t get his last name) helped me get an air2air session with their wildly popular Carbon Cub SS. The light couldn’t have been better, and ditto goes for the formation skills of both pilots. Every formation shoot ought to go this well. *** Here’s a sample, judge for yourself. *** Tomorrow, looking forward to shooting my old friend the Flight Design CTLS, thanks to another old friend Tom Peghiny. The CT sports a new dual-panel SkyView deck. Managing Director of the successful European company, Matthias Betch, is in town for the show.

Our group was overwhelmingly instrument-rated pilots, not a flock of fresh students taking basic flight classes. Here were many experienced pilots paying rapt attention to a delivery by Kirk Kleinholz as he launched a series of classes covering the operation of the Dynon SkyView. *** In a few days, Kirk will repeat this several times via twice-daily classes offered at the Sebring Expo. Sebring sessions are free, though later classes may carry some tuition. *** Kirk needed to be highly knowledgeable with the Spruce Creek Fly-in group, and he is. A CFI-Instrument, he's an expert on Dynon's glass screens and matching SkyView to the mission. *** SkyView is a computerized EFIS (Electronic Flight Information System) offered in 7- or 10-inch sizes that display synthetic vision, moving map, and engine info.*** Kirk's two-overhead-screen projection system allowed us to see his points while also viewing the effect of adjustments on a master SkyView unit that was linked to Dynon's modestly-priced autopilot servos ($750 each). To better establish skills, attendees shared four functioning SkyView units. Three units ran a simulator mode that allowed the rest of us to fiddle with knobs and try to keep up. *** Keeping up will be its own challenge. As airplane instruments go the way of the information revolution (as in computers and, increasingly, biology), SkyView is hardware combined with software. Regularly throughout his talk, Kirk noted that some new feature or refined adjustment was coming in a new software release. Most of these updates are offered free of charge, but you'll have to learn new techniques. Sound familiar? *** Ah, SkyView proves it's a long, long way since the analog instruments of... well, just a few years ago. The rush of technology in the cockpit is equally as amazing as that rush affecting us everywhere: laptops, smartphones, tablets, and innumerable other gizmos. Everything seems to come with a manual nowadays except that the manual is probably on an iPad. Some lament the loss of our beloved "steam gauges." I understand. We knew those instruments so well. *** After three and a half hours of intense Dynon education, I still feel I need a few hours of hands-on use to be adequately proficient. It will take even longer to be totally fluent with SkyView and related Dynon gear such as their autopilot. That learning curve is one important reason Dynon is working to educate pilots. They realize pilots will be safer if they know and understand — and are not distracted by — their digital avionics. Another reason is to help owners get all they want out of these marvelous devices. As I reflect on what I had to learn to determine location by triangulating vectors with a VOR or flying a back course ILS approach, I realize these SkyViews aren't so hard. And after some point of learning, I realize my situational awareness will be vastly better than with the old round dials. Embrace your digital future! Thanks for the class, Dynon and Kirk!

Savvy companies find a way through even the worst of economic times. *** Case in point: CubCrafters will deliver its 200th LSA (see Update below). *** The Yakima, Washington-based LSA maker can thus secure bragging rights for being the top US-made producer of ASTM-certified Light Sport Aircraft eclipsing its Cub clone rival American Legend out of Texas, which has led the pack for some time. Coming just a couple days before Sebring's US Sport Aviation Expo kickoff on Thursday, the forecast should be welcome to industry watchers and potential buyers eager for a cheerier outlook. *** The company offers two Cubalikes: the Sport Cub S2 (100hp) and the Carbon Cub SS (180hp, and what a climbout monster it is!) *** The company started up in 1980 and recently added 15,000 square feet of space to its manufacturing facility. *** And yes, they are a-hirin'. *** Keep up the good work, you guys!

Update 1/17/12 — We will soon report year-long market share numbers and can confirm a strong 2011 performance by CubCrafters. Our figures may be somewhat different as we count only FAA registrations not "deliveries" or "sales." Also note that the Yakima company has not yet delivered #200 but plans to do so in February. These comparisons take nothing away from CubCrafters but may help explain the differences in reported numbers. —DJ

INDUSTRY BITS — Flight Design has a new warranty program that should entice buyers. Called the XP (eXtended Protection) Warranty. The German company is extending the warranty without cost and even lengthening the Rotax engine warranty beyond what the engine producer offers. Of course, some conditions apply, but this is a strong move to assure buyers of their aircraft that Flight Design means to support customers in a professional manner. *** As part of its focus on premium service for its aircraft customers, Flight Design USA linked up with Dallas aviation dynamo US Aviation. This fast-growing aviation enterprise (and, yes, you read that correctly... growing) has a expanding presence on the Denton airport (DTO). They will now be an official factory-authorized service center for Flight Design. The Texas company offers such service for several LSA brands and has a dedicated facility for this work. |||| Dynon will be holding 3.5-hour classes at Sebring to help users of their SkyView Synthetic Vision glass cockpits better use these very capable devices. Darn it. At airshows, I don't have the luxury of time to attend such a long class. Yet, lucky me! The west coast company is holding a couple classes before Sebring near my home on the big Spruce Creek Fly-in airpark. More on this after I go through the class. |||| SeaRey is holding an owner/builder's workshop and open house at their lakeside factory near Tavares and Leesburg, Florida. The timing will appeal to folks on their way to the Sebring Expo starting the day after SeaRey's open house. Of all the LSA seaplanes, SeaRey has by far the largest number of actively flying aircraft (nearly 600). |||| ASSOCIATION BITS — EAA pulled the trigger a major restructuring, announcing the departure of several leaders including VP Adam Smith (formerly their museum director), ace aerial photographer Jim Keopnick, Young Eagles director, Steve Buss, and video chief, Rob McAllister. *** All totaled, the Appleton, Wisconsin newspaper reported online that EAA, "...fired or laid off nearly 30 people Thursday (January 12th) as part of a restructuring plan that eliminated some positions and created new ones." Interestingly, the paper also reported, "Miracle on the Hudson co-pilot Jeff Skiles... will serve as vice president in charge of chapters and youth education." Additionally, "...the organization [will] conduct a search for a vice president of marketing." And finally, "EAA also created a new vice president position to oversee its annual AirVenture event, but the position has not been filled." In a special emailing, Flying magazine reported, "EAA also reportedly eliminated its electronic publications department." *** My guess is some heads are shaking in Oshkosh. As I worked with many of these good people during the 2004-2006 period, I want to wish all departures the very best as they move forward. |||| SEBRING BITS — Aviation big shots will be plentiful at Sebring with visits from AOPA President Craig Fuller (back for his second year in a row; he spoke at the LAMA Dinner last year); GAMA President and CEO Pete Bunce who will again meet with industry leaders; and EAA President Rod Hightower who will address the LAMA Dinner in 2012. Who knows? Maybe other luminaries will join the parade. *** Sebring has many new features this year as it switches management. One is a proper send-off to a group of LSA pilots who will fly across the ocean to the Bahamas on the last day of the show. Aviators Hot Line and a group of sponsors are preparing for the second LSA fly-out to the island nation. I went last year to find it riveting to fly out of sight of land and then to enjoy the magic of the Bahamas, which is a very airplane-friendly destination. Sebring is going to be very interesting this year...!

The show I look forward to the most every winter is the Sebring U.S. Sport Aviation Expo, the premier gathering of Light Sport industry vendors in America. *** This is the eighth go 'round for the expo; each year it offers more pure fun for LSA pilots present and future. *** This year sports a noticeably upscale look, with new management (show founder Robert Woods remains very active in the show) and a stronger promotional flavor. *** Major sponsors this year include our own Plane & Pilot! *** The four-day gathering, which kicks off next Thursday, Jan. 19, promises to be the biggest show yet. *** Lots of return and new LSA exhibitors, display booths with the latest hot gear, and symposiums, including the new Bristell low wing monoplane and Pipistrel Sinus 50-foot span motorglider, both of which I hope to fly for future reports. Avionics leader Dynon will hold full on classes to teach the many ins and outs of its powerhouse SkyView EFIS display... for free! EAA's new head honcho Rod Hightower will speak at the annual LAMA dinner Thursday night. There's a ton more things to talk about, check it out right here for all the details. *** If you've got a hankering for early Spring- style LSA tire-kickin' and demo flying, program Sebring into your GPS and get on down thar!

Years back I eagerly awaited Buyer's Guides from several magazines. These were once the "database" used by many aviation writers to keep up with aviation's rather amazing outpouring of all manner of aircraft. Several magazines competed for the most detailed entries. *** Then in 1995, the World Wide Web was born. At first changes came slowly. As the new millennium arrived (when this website was started) the web sharply accelerated in usefulness. Today, it is ubiquitous, literally so in the hands of anyone with a smartphone or iPad. *** Printed airplane Buyer's Guides trying to list every single entry were hopelessly upstaged with web pages where the data could be enormously thorough and continuously updated. Indeed our SLSA List and our service-provider FIRM List are popular enough that we gave them their own top-of-the-page tabs. As the print publication community, in and out of aviation, struggles to incorporate the web and adjust their content to their strengths, Buyer's Guide appear to be an endangered species. *** The good news? Light Sport & Ultralight Flying magazine's annual Buyers Guide will appear in February (instead of its usual January release). Meanwhile we have the Plane & Pilot Buyer's Guide issue in their January/February issue for 2012. *** Listen, I love the internet for all its speed and depth. But this P&P issue is a winner. The title — probably the second-largest circulating non-member aviation magazine — has done exceptionally well for the Light-Sport community with their own LSA Editor-at-Large (also our contributor): James Lawrence, who has created generous LSA coverage. *** So, no surprise to see a nice LSA Buyer's Guide section plus another installment of Jim's "Light-Sport Chronicles." Read the Buyer's Guide now plus we've asked to reformat for ByDanJohnson.com later as we did with Jim's 2010 Review. *** Since not everyone is seeking LSA, P&P also has great Buyer's Guide sections for Piston Singles, Piston Twins, and Turbines. Rounded out with a headset guide and other informative articles, the west coast Werner Publishing team did well.

|||| Got windshield wipers on your LSA? Unless you have a Terrafugia Transition on order, your LSA will not have windscreen wipers. Some bigger aircraft have them but lightplanes that don't use glass windows don't use wipers effectively. *** Pilots want to see where they're going and Dynon's SkyView Synthetic Vision is not the whole answer, cool as those big infoscreens are. *** Aviation mail order giant, Aircraft Spruce has a low-cost answer. "Rain-B-Gon rain repellent is a hydrophobic coating technology that forms a chemical bond and causes the raindrops to bead up and blow away from the windshield," explained Aircraft Spruce. "This new innovative technology is designed especially for plastic Acrylic and Lexan windshields, and has no alcohol which can harm plastic." Check thousands of aviation products at Aircraft Spruce.