It didn't work out the first time. Breezer I wasn't quite mature for market. The import structure was unwieldy adding cost and distancing the customer from the source. As Breezer Aircraft took over manufacturing of the all-metal LSA, Breezer II arrived in 2008 joining new leadership in Europe with fresh representation in the USA. *** As of Sebring 2010, central Florida light aircraft guru Mike Zidziunas -- or simply "Mike Z" -- will become the point man for Breezer Aircraft USA. And he'll handle things differently from most LSA sellers. His plan is more like that used successfully by Cirrus. The source of the airplanes handles the whole country using representatives in various areas as touch points. "I feel that the conventional dealer network is ponderous and it's difficult to control the quality of service," expressed Mike. "To address service after the sale, when we deliver the airplane we offer as part of the purchase of the airplane a 5-hour FITS-style pilot training program. Insurance companies love this. But we also train the customer's maintenance person at their home airport." *** So, recapping: you buy an airplane from Breezer Aircraft USA; Mike will assemble, register, and fly it to your home field. He'll train you for five hours and he'll train your maintenance person. If problems arise, he'll come fix them. That may be too much service provided to sell a large number of airplanes but buyers are likely to feel pampered. Interestingly, this business model is used in the bizjet and exotic car markets as well. *** Read my upcoming full-length pilot report on Breezer II in the April 2010 edition of Light Sport and Ultralight Flying.

How can you do good for aviation and for a fellow American who wants to fly but has challenges? One organization shows the way. By any measure, Able Flight is doing good by enlarging the number of folks who learn to fly. That they do one better by helping people with disabilities learn to fly makes this a sure winner. If you agree, you can help with a donation. *** Able Flight says their mission is to offer people with disabilities a unique way to challenge themselves through flight training, and by doing so, to gain greater self-confidence and self-reliance. I would hasten to add Able Flight also adds to the pilot population... nearly all aviators see this as a good thing. Yet becoming a pilot is only one way people can enter aviation to its benefit. *** "With Able Flight's new Career Training Scholarship, it is now possible for a person with a physical disability to earn an FAA-issued Repairman Certificate for Light Sport Aircraft in only three weeks, and use that certificate to work at an existing maintenance facility or become an entrepreneur and create their own business," stated Charles Stites, Executive Director. "From the time Able Flight was founded, we've been looking for opportunities to help people with disabilities find a career in aviation, a career that will allow them to become self-sufficient," explained Stites. "Our new Career Training Scholarship is an outstanding way to make that possible. A Repairman Certificate with a Maintenance rating (LSR-M, or Light-Sport Repairman able to do Maintenance) allows a person to have a very rewarding career working with Light Sport Aircraft."

Winter will soon yield to spring and summer, that time of year when flying from water becomes the delight of many pilots who have sampled this pleasure. Competing for their purchase in the LSA space, we have the FK Lightplanes Floatplane, FPNA A-22 Cape Town, and Legend AmphibCub. Other entries include SeaRey (close to declaring ASTM compliance); Mermaid (production plans uncertain), Icon (still in development), Colyaer Freedom (no U.S. representative), plus two trike amphibs with SLSA status (the Krucker Cygnet and Ramphos Trident). *** All this leaves out the SeaMax, which may actually be the strongest player among present SLSA amphibians. Logging its 10th year in 2009 AirMax has produced 98 SeaMaxes for worldwide sale. At $140,000, SeaMax once seemed rather expensive though today, many high-end SLSA command such prices. *** Consider the general appeal of the seaplane or floatplane compared to a land-only flyer. The seaplane adds many tens of thousands of reasonable landing areas and can access interesting locations unavailable to land planes. Plus, when following a route like a long river, you can reasonably fly only a few hundred feet up for hours, enjoying a view of the planet few people on Earth will ever see. SeaMax USA partner, Malcolm Jones, gained such an experience last year as he flew home from AirVenture, following the mighty Mississippi River through several states. *** SeaMax is a performance-oriented seaplane that's roomy and upscale inside. It takes a bit of training to fly confidently (honestly, like most LSA) but delivers a very satisfying experience of water flying.

Just when I thought I was approaching perfection in human form, an anonymous reader wrote while I vacationed in the Caribbean (yes, it was sublime) to call attention to a goof I made a few posts back. *** Time to restart the truth engine and put things right. *** In that post I used the phrase "produced wholly in the U.S." when I described the all metal Eagle EA-100 SLSA, a newly constructed version of which, as I reported, is being shipped soon to Great Barrington, MA up here in the thawing northeast. *** Or as we call it this time of year, Mudville. *** Guess my name's mud now too. I was misinformed and didn't doublecheck my facts. Time to strap me to a chopper blade and start 'er up! *** Although the airplane is completely assembled here in the U.S., the major components are manufactured in Colombia, So. America. *** Here's the blurb directly from Eagle's website: *** The airplane was originally designed and built by IBIS Aircraft S.A. in Columbia (sic), South America. 100’s of aircraft have been produced by IBIS since then with no failures associated with the airplane. Eagle Aviation has successfully acquired the rights to produce the airplane and certify it in the US as the EA-100 S-LSA. Eagle Aviation is the manufacture (sic) and builder of the airplane for the US. Assembly, avionics, engine, gear, testing and certification are all completed here in Oshkosh. *** The important things to know are that the main components including welded chrome-moly steel frame, aluminum wing and fuselage skins and other major sub-assemblies are fabricated in South America. *** Once they arrive at Eagle's factory in Oshkosh, WI., the airplane is actually constructed, avionics installed, and it's test flown. *** The process is much more than a typical overseas-built SLSA which arrives completely or mostly finished, then reassembled here, custom outfitted for the customer, test flown and delivered. *** That takes a few hours instead of weeks as in Eagle's case, because the factory is actually doing the majority of the construction, much like an experimental amateur built owner would with a kit airplane. *** As my reader diligently pointed out, it's only fair to acknowledge those companies like American Legend and Rans among many others which are indeed wholly or substantially American-made and of course contribute directly to the economic recovery by employing U.S. citizens (as well as keeping prices down), so my apologies for clouding the issue.

FAA issued a 20-year forecast for aviation to 2030. According the the agency Light-Sport Aircraft sales will grow by 825 per year through 2013 and then taper off to 335 per year. Hmmm? One wonders why it should fall so dramatically and so soon? Except in a lousy 2009, the LSA industry has generously exceeded 335 units per year -- and this while the industry also had to build its entire infrastructure: a system of certification, distribution channels, service centers, parts inventory, trained flight instructors, and much more. *** The LSA industry's best year was 2007 at 565 airplanes. Last year, the figure was only 234 units. In 2006, 491 units were registered and 2008 added 406 units... all numbers relate to new SLSA fixed wing airplanes; add 15-20% for other Light-Sport Aircraft categories as weight-shift, powered parachute, and glider. *** Given Cessna's 1,000+ Skycatcher backlog, perhaps they'll build 200-400 per year in 2011, '12, and '13. If the rest of the industry returns to 400-600 per year -- approximately the track record so far -- total production would be 600-1,000 SLSA per year. So, FAA's figures appear in the ballpark... for the next three years. *** But then, what does the agency see happening to cause the industry to slide 60% to just over 300 units per year? Perhaps it's because FAA assumes a net growth of just 6,099 general aviation airplanes over 20 years, or 305 per year. Yet GA manufacturers logged 2,119 single engine general aviation (SEGA) deliveries in 2008 and 965 even in the awful 2009, which is significantly more than FAA's forecast 300 per year rate. It appears FAA envisions only modest growth for either GA or LSA in the next 20 years. Time will tell.

Last year, I almost got to do a flight report on one of the most enjoyable airplanes I've ever flown: an Urban Air Lambada SLSA motorglider. *** Alas, before the magazine could schedule the story, two (not one, but two) Lambadas broke up in flight, both in very strong soaring conditions. *** The design was immediately suspect of course, though plenty of load tests on the Czech Republic design both before and after the incidents had failed to show any structural weakness. *** Both pilots used their onboard ballistic parachutes by the way, which saved both their lives. That's yet another strong argument right there for onboard parachute systems: no way would they have survived otherwise. *** One breakup was evidently a case of pilot overspeeding - way overspeeding, and during 1500 fpm soaring conditions to boot. Yikes. The other is still under investigation but pilot error is suspect there too. *** But the sudden bad news and financial struggles made it look like curtains for the home company, although the picture is more promising now for the Lambada's return. *** Meanwhile, the magazine story was postponed. *** Now comes news from Jim Lee, who reps the Lambada and the popular Evektor SportStar series of SLSA. *** Jim says a new motorglider, the Phoenix, (suitably named) is about to glide onto the scene. *** Also produced in Czech land, this new bird as you can see is a beauty. *** Jim, a soft spoken guy not given to sales hyperbole, emailed me with this: "The Phoenix will take the US by storm!" *** On his blog he's put up some tasty pictures and talks a bit about the airplane, which he hopes to have here *** in time for Sun 'n Fun April 13 -18. *** He also promised me a flight on it for a story for the mag! *** Pardon me while I tremble slightly with joy. *** I won't repeat everything on Jim's blog, except this: ***

You could call it a "souped up Lambada". It is a two seat, 15 meter span aircraft which will be certified as an S-LSA. *** Sure is a looker, and Phoenix has better performance and ergonomics, is roomier and I better stop now before I get overexcited. *** ---photos courtesy Jim Lee and Phoenix Air

One of the truly super guys in aviation has passed away, I'm sad to say. *** Howard Levy, whom I thought of as a permanent and indestructible fixture of aviation photography, is up doing air to air shooting with his own set of wings now. *** Howie left us at 88 last week, after a long and celebrated career of 72 years shooting the airplanes he *** loved so much. *** I first met him at Oshkosh a couple decades ago. He was a mainstay then at Kitplanes and Private Pilot. *** Over the many decades he aimed a camera at flying machines, he also sold to Smithsonian Magazine, Sport Pilot, Air Progress, Jane's All the World's Aircraft, AOPA Pilot and a hangar full of other publications. He was also a staff editor at Look magazine for 25 years, something I hadn't known, and once mentored a young up-and-comer named Stanley Kubrick, who went on to become the legendary film director. *** Kitplanes gave him a Silver Anniversary Lifetime Achievement Award, one of several accolades he earned. *** Howard was a founding member of the American Aviation Historical Society in 1956 and the Aviation/Space Writers Association. *** He shot for the Army Air Corps in WWII in Africa, Sicily and Italy and was still shooting last year at the airshows. *** I'll remember his quick smile and exuberant good nature always. *** Thanks Howard for all the many many thousands of terrific images. You'll be missed by everybody who had the good fortune to know you. *** ---image of Howard courtesy his friend Glenn Stott. Airplanes...by Howard Levy, of course

A couple quick items today to keep the props spinnin' and the wings liftin'. *** A few weeks back I posted here about the Yuneec e430 all-electric LSA and its entry as a finalist in the Brit Insurance Design Museum Award. I know; sounds kind of doofy, but in fact is a very prestigious affair. *** Anyway, word comes today that Yuneec won the top prize for transportation, beating out, among others, Mercedes Benz, Honda and Nissan! *** Congratulations to Yuneec for this unexpected accolade, which can only help enhance LSA awareness around the world. *** Companion item: EAA posted some info on its upcoming AirVenture program and electric aircraft are going to play a key role. *** Guess where I'll be at least part of the time? Hitting the electric showcase flights as well as display booths relating to the new technology. *** Here's an excerpt from the release linked above for the show (July 26 to Aug 1): "The innovation and technology of the emerging era of electric-powered aircraft will be a major part of EAA AirVenture," opens the blurb. Key words: "major part". That's strong language for a show that works so hard to cover the entire spectrum of aviation every year. *** In addition to afternoon showcase flights every day, there will be evening flight demos and displays and forums in AirVenture's Aviation Learning Center. "Hosting the pioneering technology of electric aircraft is a natural for EAA AirVenture," said Tom Poberezny, EAA president and AirVenture chairman. *** Look for Yuneec to be back, along with Sonex Aircraft and it's electric-powered homebuilt, Tom Peghiny's eSpyder ultralight, at least one other electric ultralight I know of that's still hush-hush, and projects like after-market hybrid/electric aircraft powerplants such as Bye Energy's Green Flight project which is ramping up on Colorado's Front Range. *** As we saw back in the early '80s, when EAA gave the emerging ultralight aircraft concept its place in the spotlight, the organization will be solidly promoting "green" flight innovations. *** EAA petitioned FAA in 2008 to allow electric motors as powerplants for LSA, as there is no specific provision for same at this time. *** For those of you overseas or planning to go there, the big European aviation show, Aero Friedrichshafen, kicks off in Germany next month just before Sun 'n Fun. The show always has lots of exciting new developments.

Modern life, especially in our wonderful country, places a powerful premium on achieving top dog status. *** I've had a pet notion for many years that the Academy Awards should give over trying to pick one best picture/actor/actress/director etc. and just give the five or ten nominees Oscars for being the best of the year. *** ------- photo: Tom Peghiny (left) and Nat. Sales Mgr. John Gilmore *** I feel the same about LSA: achieving, then maintaining numero uno status is often a fruitless chase. One bad sales year and you're number three. God a'mighty! Not number three! *** Of course, you could be clever like the AVIS rent-a-car CEO who made his company number one by extolling the virtues of a company always striving to be the best: ("We're #2: We Try Harder!") *** BTW, that CEO had the largest single-masted yacht in the world built for him. It towers 292 feet high and charters for $375,000 per week! You could hide a double-decker British bus inside its hull. *** BTW2: Somebody just built one that's even bigger. That means former Mr. Avis's boat is now...#2. *** Oh, the irony. *** Back to LSA: If you're shopping for a light sport airplane, of course you'll check out the market leaders. There's always a sense of "safety" in numbers. *** Of course, sales numbers can lie. Look at one of the best sellers, the Zodiac 601XL and 650 models. They've had several fatal in-flight structural failures. *** Not to pick on them: AMD and Zenith Air, producers of the SLSA and kit versions of the Zodiac, have been working very responsibly at correcting the problems. *** My point is this: it takes a huge commitment to successfully build and market a safe and attractive airplane, then to support your customers through thick and thin. *** And even then there's no guarantee you'll achieve number one status, or stay there for long. *** Personally, I'm more interested in the actions a company takes to stay viable in the crowded, economically challenged, ever-changing market place. *** I want to know that a company takes care of its customers. *** To whit, my "one of the best" Oscars to Flight Design. Yes, it's been the overall market leader for the last several years, though that status is challenged daily by 105 other competing designs. *** But it has endured for, I think, one primary reason: the company, both its German parent and the U.S. HQ, has never felt content to rest on its laurels. *** Of course, that concept begins and ends with quality airplanes. *** The CT line has been a worldwide and U.S. winner for years. *** And the new all-metal MC, (look for my flight report in the next issue of Plane & Pilot), looks to be another success. *** ------ photo: Flight Design MC *** Flight Design airplanes are beautifully engineered and built. They perform well throughout the entire LSA speed regime and are comfortable and enjoyable to fly. *** But a company ultimately rises or falls on the dynamics of its leadership. *** Tom Peghiny, Flight Design USA's Prez, is known in the industry as a dead-serious company leader who understands the key elements to staying at the top of the heap: marketing strategies that emphasize the strengths of your product, maintaining a lean, mean profile during tough economic times, and growing a nationwide training/service/repair infrastructure that supports customers once they've bought your airplane. *** Two recent news items make my case. I'll summarize, and you can follow the links below:

1. *** Flight Design's new "Transition Syllabus". Key Concept: five hour instruction aimed at thoroughly transitioning existing GA pilots to LSA flight; free to new CTLS buyers; available through CT-qualified flight instructors for all models of the CT line.
2. *** The CTLS "Lite", a new version of the top-performing mainstay of the company's product line. Key phrases: $20,000 lower price; higher payload (through a reduction of more than 50 lbs. of non-structural airframe weight and slimmed-down avionics packages).

*** Being Numero Uno is important. It takes great airplanes to lead the pack, and there are many exciting, well-built models out there from several companies such as Remos, American Legend, Cessna, Piper, Tecnam and many many more. *** So give me a good airplane, of course, but also give me a company that's in it to win it: not top dog status alone, but an abiding respect from the marketplace that's reflected in steady sales, year after year.

After becoming a hit feature of AirVenture in 2006, LSA Malls have become a fixture at major U.S. airshows. Visitors to EAA's big summer celebration of flight are now joined by crowds attending AOPA's Summit as well as the season-opening Sun 'n Fun "Spring Break for Pilots." Folks attending these top-drawing aviation trade shows have shown great enthusiasm for the LSA Mall concept -- derived from also-popular auto malls in major metro areas. *** They are appreciated because the LSA Malls gather a large group of the best-selling Light-Sport Aircraft for visitors to consider side-by-side. After perusing many of the top brands, visitors can then trek to a company's primary display for additional detail. *** In addition to positioning as many as 20 LSA in close proximity, the LAMA tent houses other companies that can dispense information on financing, flight training, engines, instrument panel gear, other LSA events, and publications. The LSA Mall at Sun 'n Fun 2010 will for the second year feature a professional display from Rotax helping customers inquire about service and details for the popular engine. A Jabiru powerplant will be on display in the LAMA tent. *** All this convenience for those intrigued by Light-Sport Aircraft is available just inside the entrance to the Sun 'n Fun grounds. Slightly relocated to the Southeast Exhibit Area (graphic), some 70-80% of all airshow attendees are expected to stroll through the LSA Mall as they arrive or depart the April 13-18 event. *** LAMA staff will be on hand to help any visitor find any exhibitor on the sprawling Sun 'n Fun grounds, so everyone is encouraged to stop in at the LSA Mall and see the latest and greatest before dispersing throughout all that Sun 'n Fun 2010 has to offer.

Here's a few quick hits since I've been so long winded the last couple posts. *** We hit almost 70 degrees yesterday here in upstate NY. Wow! Snow's mostly gone. Flyin' fever is setting in. *** From Texas comes news that Michael Combs has left on a last warm-up trip in his Remos GX before embarking next month on a 50-state tour. *** He's dubbed the project, sponsored by Remos and other commercial and private donors, "Flight for the Human Spirit". *** He intends for the project to serve as a "beacon" to remind us all of the need to never give up on our dreams. For background, here's my blog piece from last Oct. *** The trip starts from Salina, Kansas on April 5: here's a map of his route. *** Salina is where the late, great Steve Fossett took off for his successful solo, nonstop globe-girdler in 2005. *** The annual Sun 'n Fun spring bash is ramping up. Check here for who's coming at this always-fantastic airshow based in Lakeland, FL. *** My blogmate Dan Johnson looked at FAA's crystal ball-gazing forecast of LSA growth on his his SPLOG recently, so I'll send you there rather than duplicate his masterful summary. *** Short tell: FAA's numbers are kinda strange, but the agency predicts steady growth ahead for LSA, and GA. *** Stay tuned! *** ---photo courtesy Michael Combs

Snowbirds will soon be flying south for Sun 'n Fun. But as winter thaws into spring and summer, some Yankees may wish to fly their Light-Sport Aircraft north into Canada. Now, thanks to our good friends at EAA, American pilots may finally do so, reported another good friend, Mary Grady, a journalist for AvWeb. After nearly a two-year negotiation America's neighbor to the north finally views LSA to be as airworthy as a homebuilt experimental. Northbound pilots must still have an FAA Medical and a Private license or higher but at least prior authorization from Mother Canada and a $100 fee were dropped. *** The relaxation of some rules is the result of effort by folks like EAA's government relations director, Randy Hansen. Earlier, Light-Sport pilots were required to call Transport Canada and receive authorization to operate a LSA in the country, obtain a validation form that had to remain in the aircraft, plus pay a $100 fee. "Now LSA owners simply have to download the form and follow customs requirements. The $100 fee has been eliminated," said Hansen. "Discussions for making the change began at AirVenture 2008." *** Transport Canada -- roughly equivalent to FAA -- continues to refuse entry to American Sport Pilot certificate holders using their state driver's license as evidence of medical fitness. "But we're working on that, too," Hansen concluded. For more on this topic, see Jim Lawrence's blog post below.

Here's something I hadn't thought about since I've never flown an LSA into Canada: EAA reports that Transport Canada (aka TC) is doing what Canadians are famous for: acting friendly. *** TC is simplifying and cheapifying LSA flight from the US into Canada. *** TC has a new Standardized Validation form that bestows the same operating limitations on LSA that have been in place for American experimentally built aircraft. *** In the past, pilots here at home had to call up TC, receive permission to operate an LSA in Canada, get validation paperwork issued to keep in the plane, then pay a $100 fee. *** Now, all that our neighborly Olympic hockey champs require is a download of the Standardised Validation form, compliance with customs requirements, and LSA pilots are good to fly into maple leaf country. *** Best news? The $100 fee has been dropped. *** There is one catch, and it's a potential deal breaker for many older pilots. *** U.S. pilots must have a private pilot certificate with a valid 3rd class or better medical. *** That means Sport Pilot license holders with only a driver's license can't legally fly into Canada. *** But wait - there's more! According to Randy Hansen, EAA's director of government relations, FAA and TC are working toward Canada allowing all U.S. Sport Pilot licensees the same privilege of operating in its airspace. *** You can oggle and download the Validation form here. *** And if you're going to Oshkosh Airventure this year, there's a Transport Canada booth in the Federal Pavilion where Hansen suggest pilots can go to learn more about the program...and while you're at it, urge them to allow every flavor of Sport Pilot to fly LSA into the Great North. *** It's good for Canadian business, and American business too, as it will increase exposure of LSA up thar. *** Fringe benefit: Canadians are a great and friendly people too, and fun to fly with. *** ---composite image courtesy...me!

Two items today as we gin up for the 36th annual EAA Sun 'n Fun Fly-In & Expo (that's the official handle - it's Sun 'n Fun for short). *** The big show runs in Lakeland, FL from April 13-18. *** Like EAA's Oshkosh AirVenture, you can float your flyin' boat with enough pure aviation overload to give you a hangover. Samples of everything that flies are there, so rock on, wing crazies! *** Piper wasn't just blowing smoke when it said it would deliver PiperSports starting in April. The PiperSport Facebook photo page has pix of the first production models coming off the Czech factory assembly line, and U.S.-bound. *** I hope to fly or at least talk to new owners there to see if Piper's made any mods yet. *** I'm happy to report the LSA Mall will set up again this year. *** Sun 'n Fun, like AirVenture, can be overwhelming. Finding exhibitors, even if you walk your legs off

searching, can be difficult. *** My pal Dan Johnson cooked up the LSA Mall idea back in 2006. He runs it with super gal-pal Randee. *** It's an outside promenade, just past the entrance gate to the show. *** Having bunches of top LSAs all in the same area not only saves on shoe leather, but of course gives you great opportunities to compare airplanes you're interested in. *** LSA reps have caught on too. They realize it's better for LSA-hungry folks to find them in one central place. *** The Mall will again have a Rotax display with a rep to answer questions about the ubiquitous power plant. *** A Jabiru powerplant will also be on display. *** SeaMax and SeaRey amphibs, PiperSport, Flight Design, Arion Lightning and many others have already confirmed. *** Go by and say hello to Dan, Randee and other LAMA staff : they're terrific folks. *** And Dan in particular knows more about LSA than the next ten people, no lie.

Cessna's in the hunt for flight schools, like everybody else.  Word comes via a city blog that Orlando Flight Training is ramping up a Sport Pilot training program that will use four Cessna Skycatchers at its Kissimmee Gateway Airport facility. *** The piece claims OFT is the first to offer the C-162 in Florida, and plans to have them operational this summer. *** While we're at it, let's highlight a few more Sport Pilot ops in the Sunshine State: *** ^ Another Sport Pilot training program at Apopka is Grizzly Aviation Services.  It also uses a Gobosh 700S, which rents out at $97/hr. *** ^ Yet another Orlando-area operation is Orlando-Gateway Sport Pilot Training LLC, which gets things done out of Kissimmee Airport with a Remos GX and a SportCruiser. *** ^ Mike Z. Sport Aviation, soon to have two more German Breezers to train on, has been in operation for some time down in Plant City, between Lakeland and Tampa on I-4.  Mike Zidziunas does it all: training, maintenance, Rotax repair. *** ^ Lockwood Aviation in Sebring has been in the game for some time too.  They have several LSA: Tecnam P92 Echo Super and P2002 Sierra and Flight Design CTSW and CTLS, as well as a Cessna 152 and Cessna 172.  Parent company Lockwood Aviation Supply is the U.S. go-to location for anything and everything to do with Rotax engines.  *** ^ First Landings has an operational program at Orlando Apopka Airport that uses a Remos G3 and a Gobosh 700S for training.  Rates are $100/hr wet ($95 block) *** Know of other Sport Pilot training ops in Florida?  Let me know! *** ---photos courtesy First Landings and Breezer Aircraft

Rotax gurus Phil Lockwood and Dean Vogel updated their "Rotax 912 Engine Introduction" DVD with a free nine-minute YouTube posting. On-camera, the dynamic duo covered the new AeroShell Sport Plus 4 engine oil, new oil pressure sender, 10% ethanol guidelines, details of the Rotax 912 2,000-hour TBO (Time Between Overhaul) plus a demonstration of how to get the updated Rotax information. See Rotax on BeASportPilot.com. *** Online and video entrepreneur Paul Hamilton published an on-line eLearning course for renters, students, pilots, owners and mechanics. Paul stated, "This is needed by FBOs, schools, instructors, and manufacturers to qualify operators for 'basic' operation of Rotax 912 engines. This is especially important for pilots and mechanics transitioning from classic aircraft engines (Continental/Lycoming)." *** The eLearning course provides video from Lockwood and Vogel plus classical text for the course covering the proper oils, fuels, coolants, starting and idling. Successful completion of a fifteen question quiz at the end provides a certificate. Here's a good deal! Paul said his course is currently free but will be priced at $49.95 when the "trial is over." Check out the course at Aviation-eLearning.com. *** This blog was prepared in cooperation with Paul Hamilton of Adventure Productions, BeASportPilot.com, and Aviation eLearning. Paul is one of my go-to guys on Sport Pilot issues and his websites are full of useful info and easy-to-watch videos. --Dan Johnson

Bend, Oregon's LSA builder X-Air, makers of the completely American-made X-Air LS - lowest-priced LSA out there at under $60,000 - is finding creative ways to keep the overhead low by selling the airplane directly out of its factory. *** The company is upgrading the airplane in several ways, to be announced at Sun 'n Fun, and will offer demo flights, flight training, sales and service at the HQ in Bend. *** And if you need another reason to go to Bend, it's a good town on the eastern side of the spectacular Cascade range.  I've spent time there over the years and always enjoyed its natural beauty.  The composite aircraft kitmaker Lancair is also located in Bend. *** Matt Verdieck, X-Air's friendly GM who helped me demo the X-Air at Sebring (that flight report will be out soon in Plane & Pilot), says the company plans to set up flight centers around the country as well as keep selling through Sportsplanes.com. *** "Ultimately," says Verdieck, "we hope to see the aircraft on the ramps of numerous flight training operations." *** He goes on to comment on the economics of flying the Jabiru 80 hp-powered X-Air, which is a low-maintenance, fuel-sipping LSA to be sure.

I saw this bad boy at Sebring in January and was taken with its potential for flight schools, airplane dealers, insurance companies and plain old pilot fun. *** Dave Graham of Gobosh introduced me to the go-getter guys behind it.  They call themselves Light Sport Group. *** More details: *** It's called the Contour HD A/V-ator Edition. *** It's adapted from a popular HD helmet camera. *** It shoots in full High Definition (1080P - P is for progressive, which is the smoother-viewing of two specs, the other being I, for interlaced). *** My favorite feature (in addition to the HiDef) is the 135-degree lens that, if you mount the cam behind the pilot in a typical LSA, will show the entire cockpit, panel and what's outside the windscreen. *** Here's a video from the company's website that speaks to the product's merits all by itself: *** The system includes the camera, Light Sport Group's proprietary noise-cancelling circuit, plug-and-play aviation headset adapters for clear cockpit audio, a Contour-specific suction cup mount, an 8GB SD memory card, and internal rechargeable battery. *** The view allows clear, sharp views of panel instrument readouts. *** It's a handy way to do lots of things: review student flights, document personal or practice flights, and the unit records ATC com, intercom chatter and aircraft alerts - good for documentation after any incidents, much like an airliner "black box".

Electric is hot! Even in a dull economy with sluggish airplane sales, the spark of electric power is crackling with life. Numerous projects have been announced and organizations like EAA are making way for electric airplanes to showcase themselves at big shows like AirVenture. *** Now, from an Italian manufacturer comes the work of world champion hang glider pilot, Manfred Ruhmer, and his Icaro 2000 electric weight-shift trike. *** OK, you may be a pilot who wants structure around yourself and perhaps a glass cockpit with autopilot or the maximum speed permissible. But check out the video below. To me, it looks like a dream... very low noise (except for a whir from the prop blades -- blades that fold back when you cut power); easy, one-handed flying; a low cost way to see the countryside on a pretty day. The video showed the electric-powered trike being flown by an expert but I can imagine the fun I could have with this. *** Read Icaro's tech specs. And here's more technical description from CAFE Foundation. *** Manfred's trike is modestly priced (subject to change). Of course, just like an electric golf cart, batteries form a goodly chunk of the whole cost. More fairly, battery expense should be compared to fuel cost over time but you have to buy the batteries up front. An electric Icaro trike will run $11,000 to $15,000 plus shipping and you'll still need a wing. Add it all up and it might run $16,000-22,000 but you'd have one nifty little aerial toy... assuming you don't mind a breeze on your knees. *** Now, catch this fun video --

The Creative Solutions Alliance (CSA) is a nonprofit organization, founded by Erik Lindbergh, grandson of Charles "Lucky Lindy" Lindbergh, that just announced his creation of the Lindbergh Electric Aircraft Prize (LEAP). *** In stirring language as quoted to AOPA's Alton K. Marsh, Lindbergh says, "We are literally teaching the next generation to imagine and create their future." *** The idea, as we've seen in the past with similar contests such as the Orteig Prize (1st Atlantic crossing won by Lindbergh) Kremer Prize (human powered flight - Gossamer Condor), and the X-Prize (1st private suborbital space flight), is to "promote the practical development of electric aircraft by recognizing specific advances in this emerging cleantech (sic) industry." *** Prizes will be awarded for: ** Best Electric Aircraft:  keyword in this category is practical, and it can be an Experimental, LSA or Certified aircraft. ** Best Electric Aircraft Sub-System: component systems that advance the field of electric aircraft ** Best Electric Aircraft Component Technology:  Individual components such as batteries, motors, power electronics, etc. ** Public Choice Award: We get to vote on our favorite, flying or not, "practical or not!" *** The winners in each category will be announced at

Oshkosh's EAA Airventure this summer. *** Anybody want to take early odds on the Yuneec e430, already a design award winner? *** Or the new ElectraFlyer X (photo)? *** ---images courtesy CSA and ElectraFlyer

Once Upon a Time... Two companies competed vigorously for the airframe (ballistic) parachute market. One was BRS. The other was Second Chantz, run by longtime proprietor and system designer, John Dunham. In a deal back in 1995, John agreed to cease competing with BRS, which went on to fame and fortune with the parachute for Cirrus airplanes and LSA. *** Now, zap forward a decade and a half. BRS is working hard to be a military contractor, and -- while still pursuing the airframe parachute business with a couple larger customers -- their corporate focus is elsewhere. I say "good luck with that" but the light aircraft community badly needed another company to offer services: repacking, repairs and maintenance, and new systems for aircraft BRS had no time to assist. *** Why start a company now, after 15 years of being out of the business, and with the country in a deep recession? John answered simply, "It's what I know and love." *** Before selling out to the larger company, Dunham had started developing a compressed air rocket motor that had great promise fifteen years ago. The idea languished but today technical improvements make that concept much more viable thanks to much increased stored pressures. John will pursue his "A.I.R." system as he rebuilds his former business (well, technically a different business but the mission is the same). *** John stated in a recent news release, "Second Chantz will distribute new ballistic recovery systems manufactured by the Czech Company, Stratos 07, known (to Americans) as 'Magnum Parachute Systems'." [UPDATE 6/10/10 -- Second Chantz elected not to become the distributor for Magnum.] "And we will bring back [our] patented A.I.R. equipped recovery devices for hang gliding and paragliding pilots." In addition, thousands of Second Chantz systems can now be serviced by the company that originally made them. And, the new company could establish service for BRS systems. *** In all, this is a significant gain for the light aircraft community.

After a tough winter in most parts of the USA, spring evidently arrived early with 80-degree temperatures as far north as Minnesota... all before Sun 'n Fun. More good news: After its coldest winter since the early 1980s Florida is extremely pleasant now, warm with low humidity. *** Indications are the economy continues bearing down on Light-Sport aviation. Confronted with cautious customers, some aircraft producers have tightened their costs and are offering sharply lower prices in time for Sun 'n Fun. *** Flight Design announced its CTLS Lite, which makes two impressive accomplishments. By slightly trimming the equipment list and making other adjustments, the market leader was able to slice $20,000 off the price, coming in at $119,800. They also cut a most impressive 50 pounds from the empty weight. *** Jabiru USA offers two models discounted for a short time. Taking $11,000 off the price of their J-170 brings the base to $85,900. With some nice equipment, it remains less than $95,000. The company's more spacious J-230 is being offered for $97,900 base and pretty well equipped for $105,000. *** All these numbers can be made more affordable through partnering or finance, both of which have good support. *** Other observed bargains: SeaMax, a well-equipped, performance amphibian for $140,000 range; Aerotrek, still holding a line below $70,000 for their handsome A220/A240; the RANS S-6LS is a value at $63,000; SeaRey kits offer the lowest amphib cost among LSA; and a low-price leader is the X-Air LS for $59,995. *** I'm also sure I left out someone deserving, so come to Sun 'n Fun and find the deal for you. I've not seen a better time to buy an LSA.

Just kidding about the dutch roll. It's a play on an old movie: With Six You Get Egg Roll, about complications that come with a blended family. *** But the "three" is legit, and refers to the three LSA training centers operated by Shawn Okun in Florida.  *** Shawn's blended family is called FPNA (FPNA = Float Planes aNd Amphibians) and is worthy of mention as an LSA force in its own right. *** FPNA, as the acronym implies, imports, manufactures, sells and teaches in land and water-launched SLSA, (floaty-foot Capetown shown here) and also sells floats, Experimental LSA kits and generally has a good time with used aircraft, weight-shift trikes and powered parachutes.   ***  If you're looking to get your land or water wings, don't overlook this outfit: they have three locations - Clearwater, Sebastian and Palm Harbor in addition to the HQ in Sebring.  *** One -- Clearwater -- is even a FAA part 141-certified flight school with SEVIS credentials (allows foreign nationals to train in the U.S.)  Students can go from Light Sport to ATP (Airline Transport Pilot)!  Talk about one-stop shopping. *** Check out their website: Shawn's a bright and enterprising guy who's got a lot of ways for you to have fun in the air, whether you launch from the tarmac or use duck feet to get your air.

Dan Johnson's got a good piece today on his SPLOG (Sport Pilot Blog) about the rise of lower-cost LSA in a struggling economy -- good reading and a good place to start for those of you heading to Sun 'n Fun looking for a bargain -- and who's not looking for a bargain these days? *** Also comes word that Michael Combs is demonstrating what all pilots know: nothing's suckier than sucky weather.  He's stuck right at the beginning of his epic 50-state tour, meant to symbolize the power and importance of staying in touch with your dreams, in Salina, KS, courtesy bad Spring weather. *** Tough luck Michael but we're following your adventure and know you'll be on your way before long. *** His quest is called The Flight for the Human Spirit.   *** The goal is to fly into all 50 states, making stops in 135 cities

and towns across America.  Total mile tally: 19,400 and 40 days.  Wishing you sunlight and tailwinds: Bon Sport Voyage, Michael! *** And for your electrified fans, here's a nice bit on all-electric flight by FlightGlobal

Alright, I'm succumbing to Electric Fever a bit more today, but a more-thorough reading of that excellent FlightGlobal piece I mentioned in the post below has a lengthy discussion about PC-Aero, a German firm that's coming out with its own line of electric-powered aircraft...including a four-seater for General Aviation. *** The brains behind this effort live inside Mr. Calin Gologan, who predicts an all-electric four-seat GA airplane in the next ten years.   *** His company is debuting his first prototype, a single-seater electric dubbed Elektra One, at the European Aero show in Friedrichshafen this week. *** Apparently the tantalizing prospect of winning the $1.5 million in prize money offered by the CAFE Green Flight Challenge (in 2011) was the kicker to start Gologan down the E-Plane path. *** The Electra One will be followed by an Elektra Two (two seats) and Elektra Four (four) down the road. *** I don't like to be pushy, but if you're interested in what's going on in electric flight technology, be sure and read the excellent story linked above.  It's well-researched and has some very interesting things to share. *** And don't forget to check out the Aero show...it's always a playground where new technology debuts and this year will be no exception. *** Meanwhile, enjoy a couple teaser concept drawings of the Elektra One and Elektra Four, courtesy PC-Aero.

French hang glider pilot and light sport innovator and entrepreneur Gérard Thevenot has been a visionary all his life.  I've profiled him previously regarding his efforts to create alternative-powered sport aircraft. Also see our 2009 SPLOG on Thevenot's fuel-cell trike. *** He's been testing electric trikes for Yuneec, the China company that's developing several commercial sky-breaking electric aircraft designs.  *** And last fall he set an electric trike record for sustained power flight of 1 hour and 16 minutes. *** Today comes word from Aero 2010, the big European airshow, that Thevenot has been awarded the 2010 E-Flight Award for his hydrogen fuel cell-powered trike. *** His trike is one of three fuel-cell powered aircraft exhibiting at this year's Aero show. *** A fuel cell is a power source that creates enough electricity to drive an electric motor, using, in Thevenot's case, only hydrogen fuel and oxygen.  *** The exhaust components? Heat...and water vapor! *** Fuel cells operate at low temperatures too: under 200 degrees Fahrenheit. And there is no battery or accumulator, just the fuel cell itself. *** The 77 lb. wing's wingspan is 39 feet.  The 7 kW-generating motor weighs just 121 lbs, including the 1.25 gallon hydrogen tank. *** Trike (hang glider plus three-wheeled buggy), fuel cell and the single pilot (Thevenot) all weigh less than 285 lbs.   "This allows it to fly," Thevenot told Aero reporters, "powered only by the fuel cell and without the assistance of an auxiliary battery." *** Boeing flew a fuel cell powered GA-style aircraft for 20 minutes in 2008.  Thevenot has flown his fuel cell trike more than an hour, including across the English Channel in 2009. *** I've not been able to find out yet whether that hour represents a full tank's worth of hydrogen or just what he's tested so far... because in 2006, Thevenot's fuel cell-powered car won the Shell Eco Marathon with a hydrogen supply corresponding to one quart of gasoline -- which went a world record distance of almost 2500 miles!  You read right: that's mileage equivalent to 10,000 miles per gallon! *** "Oh honey, did you remember to fill up the car last January?" *** Of course, hydrogen is ridiculously expensive.  This is R&D time, not almost-ready-for-prime time. Likewise, for those who think "Hindenberg!" whenever the word hydrogen pops up -- which is all of us, right? -- there are many technologies including solid state oxide forms of hydrogen and other fuels being explored, not just hydrogen gas. *** Meanwhile, congratulations to Monsieur Thevenot for his vision and execution so far. *** Two other ongoing fuel cell-powered electric projects to follow: Hydrogenius, from the University of Stuttgart and Skyspark, which flew a GA-style airplane at 150 knots recently. *** While a trike may seem more trivial stunt than practical application in our age of private jets, $500K GA cruisers and $100,000 LSA, that's exactly the point: first, we show the vision, then we figure out how to upscale to the market.  *** For a good discussion of this topic as it relates to growing aviation in general, see Chris Finley's excellent discourse here. *** This is what pioneer days look like: forward-thinking people doing their thing, and one day we all wake up and the world's changed.  *** Remember Wozniak and Jobs (Apple Computer, started in a garage 30 years ago), Yuneec (which made its fortune making electric motors and accessories for model airplanes) and... well, the Wright Brothers, who quietly pursued their vision in the winds of Kitty Hawk, while the world went on it's merry way convinced that man would never fly. *** Side Note: A good site to keep track of: The E-Flight Expo, which shows at the Aero Expo and explores alternative power and solutions to the global challenge of internal combustion engines. *** Isn't this a great time to be alive? *** ---photos courtesy Aero Expo and Willi Tacke

Molly McMillin of the Wichita Eagle reports today that Cessna is speeding up its deliveries of the C-162 throughout 2010, after delays were announced early in the year. The announcement was made at the Aero Expo in Germany today. *** McMillin also writes that Cessna veep John Doman believes the piston-powered aircraft market may be stabilizing and could turn around soon to a growth profile, perhaps as early as mid-2011.   *** In a related story, Shenyang Aircraft of China, the state-owned manufacturer of the Skycatcher airframe for Cessna, plans to build a new factory to expand its production volume. *** An airport will also be built at the site -- but original plans for a mid-2010 opening have been delayed to 2011. *** Future Skycatchers will still be outfitted and test-flown in Wichita. *** UPDATE on Michael Combs "Flight for the Human Spirit" odyssey: he's off and flying!  The nasty Salina, KS weather that kept him on the ground for 3 days broke today and he promptly launched. *** It would be great if bunches of Light Sport pilots and fans came out to greet Michael when he lands near your town.  His raison d'etre for the trip and schedule of planned stops are posted on the website here. *** And this item just in: Paradise Aircraft will install seatbelt airbags on its popular P-1 model SLSA.  The system is dubbed the AmSafe Seatbelt Airbag system. *** The P-1 flies in many countries -- 130 have been produced since 2001. *** AmSafe's airbag system has already made a big splash -- the company says more than 80% of all new single-engine GA airplanes carry it.  *** The self-contained system is designed to protect pilot and passenger from serious head injury and "enhance one's ability to exit the aircraft following an otherwise survivable accident." *** Deployment is up and away from the wearer -- just the opposite of automobile airbags. *** Overall weight?  Less than 3 lbs.  *** With this setup and a ballistic airframe parachute, you've got the safety angle pretty well covered.  *** ---photos courtesy Cessna and AmSafe

I'm taking a short setup break here in the LSA Mall at Sun 'n Fun to post this SPLOG. It's the evening before the big show opens and this is a happening place. Vendors everywhere are scurrying to turn pandemonium into a highly organized show by morning. It's windy but beautiful with temperatures in the low 80s and low humidity. C'mon down! *** The LSA Mall is a new location and by most reports, the location is even better than last year's dynamite spot, with walkway or road access to two long rows of Light-Sport Aircraft. We've got $35,000 and $40,000 SLSA (M-Squared and CGS Hawk LSA) plus top brands like Piper (top photo, and see legend for more brands present), Flight Design, Remos, and leaders like Jabiru offering special bargains. We might squeeze one more airplane but I consider the LSA Mall full to capacity and ready to please. *** Rotax Service Centers again has their info booth and they have a prized location with superb access. *** Vendors are here before crowds of visitors arrive. Most report a dismal 2010 so far, but nearly all say inquiries are finally starting to rise. While battered from the economic downturn, moods appear to be improving. *** Paradise City, the Light Plane Area formerly known as the Ultralight Area, continues to look rather weak, but plans are afoot to transform this large chunk of space (which has its own runway that operates simultaneously with the main runway). *** As the show opens and new products are revealed, my blogger pal James Lawrence and I will keep you informed. And video producer Dave Loveman and I will shoot more airplanes for your viewing pleasure. Click back soon!

The weather looks gorgeous; aircraft are landing at Lakeland Linder Field; booths are sprouting up like spring mushrooms. *** Even as Aero Friedrichshafen in Germany flies into the sunset, it's the first day of America's annual spring bash in Lakeland, Florida. *** Tens of thousands of daily visitors will have their chance to chase down the SLSA or kit plane or airshow performer (USAF Thunderbirds!) they've been dreaming of all winter - especially us winterbound types who are  reacquainting ourselves with that bright, warm yellow thing in the sky. *** Sun 'n Fun is the place we officially kick off the airshow season.  It's a time to reconnect with old friends and make new ones.  To see dozens of LSA side by side, sit in them, take demo flights and get a real feel for what's hot, and what's not, for you and your kind of flying. *** I love Sun 'n fun.  My inner airplane nut kid comes out to play here (just like he does at Sebring and Oshkosh). *** Stay tuned for daily reports on the new stuff, newsy bits , new products, and who's saying what about the industry, the airplanes and the people driving it all forward.

When the going gets tough, goes the old motivational phrase, the tough get going. *** The LSA industry had a hard year in 2009, as did all of General Aviation...not to mention the economy. *** And although news pops up here and there indicating better times are - eventually - coming, the most resilient companies keep looking for ways to stimulate their markets rather than simply holding on for better sales numbers. *** Cases in point from Day 1 of Sun 'n Fun:  *** 1.  Piper Aircraft CEO Kevin J Gould addressed a morning press gathering to paint a thumbs-up picture for Piper and General Aviation as well.   He backed up his nuanced optimism with positive stats: Piper expects to sell 8 times as many trainers this year as last; Piper's total sales are up 75% over 2009; enthusiasm for the PiperSport is strong - the company could produce and deliver as many as 75 PiperSports this year; sales of other models from its GA fleet are showing improvement; and the three new owners of the first PiperSports took delivery of their aircraft in a well-attended ceremony at the company's flight line display. *** I like that last item for several reasons, but here's my #1: Mr. Gould said in January that Piper would deliver its first PiperSports this month.  He kept his word.  We need examples just like this of leaders who talk the talk - then walk it. *** ---- > Piper CEO Kevin Gould (r) and new PiperSport owners *** 2. Flight Design CEO Matthias Betsch, and FD USA Prez Tom Peghiny and Marketing head John Gilmore talked about several new developments in existing and new products: *** the CTLS Lite, the all-metal MC S-LSA (look for my flight report in the next issue of Plane & Pilot),  the new CT HL tow aircraft for Europe, where noise pollution is a real problem; ongoing development of the after-market GA hybrid engine, currently pegged at $34,000 and expected to fly this year; an all-hand control system for disabled pilots, now certified in Germany, which will be an easy - and then reversible - retrofit for any CT; and floats under development for the CT line. *** Mr. Betsch also reiterated what he told me at Sebring in January: that the market "is starting back" and 2011 should be considerably stronger than 2010. *** He also made a cogent point: "There is no aviation without basic aviation."  Makes sense, ja? *** 3. American Legend announced a new model today: the Classic J3, which is exactly what it sounds like: the original sport plane of them all, without any frills, and at a price, for an all-American made airplane, that should attract some solid interest: $94,895.  More on that later, I'm running out of room *** 4. Randy Schlitter of Rans Aircraft told me he's holding the line on the Coyote II, aka S-6ELS, at $63,000.  That's another attractive, all-American airplane that's about half the price of many S-LSA. *** Randy also shared some insider info on his development of an

all-electric aircraft: more on that later too. *** As I said at the top: when the going gets tough, etc.  These four market leaders aren't waiting for the turnaround: they're helping make it happen.

...back in Kansas?  Little Totomeister, I gotta say, the winds blew so strong today I saw a full chicken caesar salad in its covered plastic container sail horizontally by my head like a UFO on a mission. *** I even had to postpone a photo shoot until tomorrow at dawn.  Oh joy. *** No complaints though.  It was a gorgeous day which started out with a very enjoyable hour-long demo flight in the Rans S-6ELS, a lovely airplane I've touted lately for its low price - $63,000. *** My demo pilot, Mark Pringle ("Just like the potato chips," he said) took me up for some turns, dutch rolls, stalls, and a couple landings in a mildly bumpy airmass, at least for 8:30 this morning. *** First impressions (look for my flight report in an issue soon) -- throttle in, rolling down the runway, one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two...hey, we're airborne already?  That lightweight flivver fairly hopped into the air. *** Second impression: what a beautifully harmonized control system: light (no need to muscle it), responsive (good, crisp roll rates, effective rudder makes coordinating a snap), well balanced (pitch, roll and rudder are so smooth, you feel like you know the airplane. *** Landing's a breeze, the finish is beautiful, and with the Rotax 80 hp, (and 3.5 gph), we loped along nicely right around 100 knots. *** A lovely, approachable, comfortable, excellent flyer, and an American-made LSA that offers a basic recreational airplane that you can enjoy locally but not fret about going cross country. Randy Schlitter and crew flew it down from Hays, Kansas -- a flight I was hoping to make with them -- with nary a worry. *** Garmin announced several new products and promotions today.  Of interest to LSA pilots: Bundled database pricing for the GPSMAP® 495/496 and GPSMAP 695/696 will, sez the company, save customers up to 50% per year on database updates, starting this week. *** Also from Garmin; a new synthetic vision upgrade for the G300 avionics platform (seen on Cessna's Skycatcher and other LSA). *** Two more new SLSA are at the show.  One's called the Alto, by Corbi Air, and it's an all-metal low-winger. More later -- don't mean to be coy, I just haven't caught up with them yet.  *** It's old home week for ultralight flyers.  Chuck Slusarczyk, endlessly colorful head of longtime ultralight/light sport manufacturer and supplier CGS Aviation, was back in fine form and holding court at the show after a recent stroke. Welcome back, Chuck! *** And Boris Popov, founder of ballistic 'chute maker BRS parachute systems, visited Sun 'n Fun after a long absence. Look for my "Light Sport Chronicles" column (in Plane & Pilot magazine) soon as I'll updated you about Boris' visionary belief -- long since vindicated -- of the indispensable value of an airframe parachute. *** I'll recount some of his amazing, chilling, ultimately life-affirming stories of saves that you won't believe -- but they're true. *** Michael Combs landed his Remos GX in Frederick, MD today on the fourth day of his Flight For The Human Spirit odyssey that will eventually reach all 50 states.  He went to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, and will launch on the next leg to Long Island, NY tomorrow.  Keep track of his progress.

After a few days in a new location for 2010, the LSA Mall hosted by LAMA and supported by Aviators Hot Line / Light Aviation Edition has proven to be a hit. On Friday (day 4), crowds were especially thick. All 18 airplanes in the Mall were often surrounded several deep. *** Winds finally moderated into a beautiful Florida day. Cameras, videos, and phone cameras clicked furiously as visitors pored over the flock of shiny aircraft. *** In particular the PiperSport attracted waves of attention but all exhibitors appeared busy throughout the morning and early afternoon (when people stream into the event). I've taken reports from several manufacturers that sales are popping. This is notably different from Sebring where people showed interest, took plenty of demo flights, said they wanted to buy, and then... nothing! *** Sales have been dead slow in early 2010 and my best guess is that potential buyers -- who often have the money to afford these airplanes -- are hesitant while they wait for the economy and their financial picture to stabilize. Perhaps confidence is returning because money is changing hands, and it's none too soon for an entire industry enduring the slowest period in LSA history (all five years of it). *** The following is anecdotal, reported sales may not occur, and this is certainly not a complete list. With that caveat, here's some manufacturers reporting actual sales with deposits taken: Arion sold 6 Lightnings, Flight Design reported 3 sales by day 2, Gobosh made a sale, and Piper has taken 5 deposits at the show. *** Despite my caution above, I think the industry might record 20-30 sales at Sun 'n Fun. Another gauge: the Rotax service tent in the front of the Mall was dense with people seeking technical info.

Could my spot survey of just a few LSA companies at the show be the harbinger of better things to come?  American Legend Aircraft prez Darrin Hart told me yesterday his company had sold three S-LSA and two Texas Star Cub kits...only three days into the show. *** Dave Graham of Gobosh reports two sales of the popular low-wing Gobosh 700. *** CubCrafters has tallied at least one sale so far. *** And Paradise Aviation's Chris Regis had one firm sale and another one ready to ink. *** You go gang!

One of the earliest and most popular SLSA on the market is the Gobosh 700.  Co-Impresario Dave Graham extols its virtues of "aliveness" and my sentiments echo his: it's a friendly, comfortable, responsive and thoroughly enjoyable airplane to fly.  *** Dave's installed the new Dynon Skyview into it, and calls the model the Gobosh 700DX. *** "It was very easy to install," says Dave.  "The manuals for the Dynon systems are exceptionally good.  The sensor package that comes with the system worked right out of the box." *** Price for the SkyView-equipped 700DX is $138,500, which represents a $3,500 upgrade from the Dynon D-180-equipped version. *** Standing all day in the hot sun and dusty wind day after day is the foot soldier reality for aircraft display folks.  Everybody has their own outdoor strategy for showing wares to the public while never being too far from the plane.  Here's a shot of Dave Graham's Gobosh "office".

Every year at Sun 'n Fun the nearby Fantasy of Flight Museum puts on a Splash-In.  Aircraft of the waterfowl persuasion, from amphibians to seaplanes to float versions of GA, Experimental and LSA types hang out and participate in some fun contests, including spot landing, grapefruit bomb drop and...short water takeoff. *** The last task is arguably the most visually exciting for its demonstration of sheer power-to-weight performance and other factors. *** Enter Goliath: Phil Lockwood's legendary AirCam, a heavily modified ultralight Drifter with two engines that's legendary for it's short takeoff mojo on land and water.  It can get airborne on one engine and climb at 200-300 fpm.  Oh - and did I say that's off the water? *** Enter the challenger: Although the AirCam generally competes in the above 200hp category, and the Carbon Cub has 180hp, the CubCrafters gang thought it would be fun to do. *** The airplane's owner, Gary Lickle, had a grand total of 9 hours on floats, having just finished his float rating the week before. *** "We thought it would be fun to see how we could do against them.  We never expected to win, so it was great fun and a surprise to beat them." *** Check out this video from CubCrafters and you'll get the full picture.

While talking to an enterprising Dutchman who markets several non-aviation, but exceptionally beautiful road machines and accessories (Can you dig a gorgeous, classic Carroll Shelby replica Cobra signed by the great man himself for $60,000?), he pointed to a man walking by and said, "There goes Eggenfellner, he makes a beautiful modified Honda engine for LSA." *** A couple minutes later I wondered over to the  motorhead's booth and saw this gorgeous engine package, based on an inline 4-cylinder Honda automotive engine (he also builds a Subaru-based mill), that is finding its way into a number of experimental aircraft that take Rotax engines. *** The liquid-cooled Viking HF-110 has 9 more cubic inches displacement than a Rotax 912 ULS, weighs 31 lbs. more, and produces 14 more horsepower at 75% power and 15 more hp at takeoff rpm of 5400 - 400 less than the Rotax. *** It also has a 12 month/100 hour money-back guarantee (Rotax: 6 months and 100 hours) and costs $9,900 - and comes with alternator, ignition and fuel injection, exhaust, air intake, starter, radiator, prop drive unit and engine mounting brackets to align with existing Rotax airframe mounts. *** Hmmm....

Chatting tonight with Piper's Chief Pilot Bart Jones as the fifth day of the six day airshow wound down, as our conversation drifted to our favorite LSA, I asked him, "Do you have any idea what kind of business Piper's done?" *** I figured he wouldn't have much to say on the topic as these are usually internal affairs, with the timing of info releases usually left to PR depts. *** So I was happily surprised (since we'd both agreed moments before that PiperSport was a mutual favorite) to hear him say, "Well, you know what?  We've sold seven PiperSports so far!" *** My eyes must have widened a bit because he added, "and get this: that's without doing any demo flights!  We had a paperwork snafu, so we couldn't even fly potential customers." *** Looks like my prognostications and those of other industry watchers was right on: Piper's impact on the LSA market could indeed be huge. *** By the way, Bart is no company mouthpiece but a straight-up, sincere guy I've known for many years.  He flies all the most systems-intensive heavy iron for Piper -- but confesses to enjoying the PiperSport as much as anything he sits left seat in.  *** So when he says Piper has sold 7 of its new S-LSA, you can believe it.  "And we've still got one day of the show left," he added. *** Making the rounds of the exhibition buildings, Phil Lockwood, aka Mr. Rotax, his lovely wife Tish and gal Friday Rafaela (I never remember her exact title but it seems she does a lot of just about everything at Lockwood Aviation Supply) all said they'd been crazy busy selling all kinds of Rotax hardware for the first four days of the show -- when the buying public generally comes. *** Airshow watchers and the more generally interested aviation enthusiasts tend to come out on the weekends. *** Meanwhile, those enterprising dudes I reported on a couple weeks ago over at Light Sport Group unleashed its Contour HD A/V-ator Edition High Def aviation camcorder on an unsuspecting public and promptly sold out all their inventory...and have three units backordered!  *** It's a cool unit, great for recording student pilot training videos but that monster-strong suction cup they have on that thing would, to paraphrase Willie Nelson, suck the anodizing off an aluminum wing.  That is, you can mount it on a reasonably flat surface on the exterior of the airplane and get in-air shots of... yerself!

Sun 'n Fun 2010 is history. Overcast skies and rain all day kept the crowds away -- in droves.  Still, it was a good show, with positive signs for the Light Sport Industry in the weeks and months ahead. *** I'll be recapping highlights from the entire six days over the next several days; there were lots of cool events and gear I want to share with you. *** The short tell: overall attendance by most exhibitor accounts seemed a bit light over the week, but several airframe manufacturers reported modest to brisk sales. *** Generally, the consensus was one of guarded optimism.  Some makers like Arion (Lightning) and Piper (PiperSport) sold 7 or more airplanes each.  Others were happy with two or three.  And some long-time, well-established companies had great leads but no firm orders. *** Of course, sales hyperbole is tempting to indulge in at a show: no one wants to admit to potential customers -- and especially the aviation media -- that they just spent thousands of dollars hoping to attract buyers and show the flag -- and have nothing to show for it.  It takes a lot of courage to hang in there in a down economy, and many of these folks have been running on fumes for some time now through the worst of it. *** Nonetheless, as my tireless pal Dan Johnson tallied, sales were at least in the 20s and that's a good number in a recovering economy. *** Likewise, the excellent placement of his LSA Mall, which was chock full of aircraft displayed side-by-side, brought thousands of people in direct contact with light sport flying.  I must have gone by the Mall 30 times during the show, and it was always busy with folks checking out these new planes they're hearing more and more about. *** As in life, not every company rockets skyward; economies don't work that way.  But I spoke to enough people in the industry with smiles on their faces to give me a solid sense that we've flown out of the downdrafts and are climbing for clear blue skies again.

While lots of attention was paid to the PiperSport at Sun 'n Fun 2010, and while Cessna's Skycatcher remains the dominant collector of order deposits, another legacy producer that has entered the LSA sector is Van's Aircraft. *** By most reckoning, Van's can lay claim to being the largest kit aircraft company in the world. Their LSA-sized RV-12 represents another indication that major manufacturers see merit in Light-Sport Aircraft. I finally got a flight in this new model; my full report will appear in a future issue of Plane & Pilot magazine but here are some sample bits. *** Most simply put, RV-12 is a Van's. My experience in a RV-4 and -9 -- plus affirmative comments from folks with much more RV experience -- confirms the same great qualities found throughout the Van's lineup. These shared characteristics include light responsive controls with ailerons truly pleasant. Many GA drivers will sense the RV-12 to be notably lighter handling than their experience, however, they'll get used to it quickly. *** Though it may not look as sleek as the shapely carbon fiber LSA, RV-12 proves its cleanliness by quickly accelerating as you lower the nose, and, on approach at 65 knots, the -12 retains plenty of float. *** Stalls were very slow, in the high-30-knot range and stall behavior -- power off or with full throttle -- was excellent, a clean break but no tendency to drop a wing. *** Pricing the RV-12 kit components offers us a clue about general cost-of-production for any fully-built LSA. The -12 airframe kit with interior is a relative bargain, roughly $23,000. The powerplant kit represents a larger share at $27,000. Van's avionics kit boosts the total another $13,000 before extras like a second Dynon screen ($2,350) or an autopilot ($2,000). Thus, with kit shipping, paint, and finished interior, I estimate you'll reach approximately $70,000. Assuming about 500 hours* of experienced, professional building labor in a facility with tools valued at only $30 per hour, a finished RV-12 is worth something like $85,000, a figure covering only modest profit and marketing. Perhaps this helps put general LSA prices in better perspective. *Van's estimates the build time for an "average builder" to be 700-900 hours to a paint-ready stage.

Kids, don't try this at home... or in the air.  Well, unless you leave yourself no other choice. *** While flying a new LSA on the day after the Sun 'n Fun airshow, my demo host and I were enjoying the puffy cloud kingdom somewhere not too far from Lakeland Linder Field in central Florida when the Garmin G3 center display went black. *** No amount of coaxing, button pushing, or breaker recycling would bring it back.  We chalked it up to a new installation and the fact we'd sat on the ground for 45 minutes in the heat, in a ridiculously long line of departing airplanes -- and a methodically sloooooow tower controller determined to go by the book while 30 airplanes sat watching their engine temps rise ...and rise. This guy could learn a thing or two from the boys at Oshkosh about expediting departures. *** Anyway, here we were a few minutes later, tooling around the countryside, not overly concerned about losing the one display, when bip!, the other G3 display coughs, hiccups, and goes down, too. *** Sympathy pains maybe but Holy Hannah, whatta we do now? *** "Fortunately," said my right seat companion with a confident smile, he being an ex-Air Force jet jockey, "I've got a GPS along as a backup." *** I breathed a sigh of relief as he rummaged around in the baggage compartment behind the seats. *** "Hmmm," he said (and did I detect a twinge of embarrassment?), "I don't seem to have the GPS.  I must have left it on the ground." *** "Well, no problem," he continued with strained joviality.  "I've got a sectional... now, where is that sectional?" *** Several minutes later, after the sectional proved to be irretrievably buried somewhere in all the gear, we both scanned the green farmland, swamps and sand mines or whatever those big square water-filled dirt lakes are and realized we were completely and utterly lost. *** I opined we were west of Lakeland.  He thought we were south. *** One thing I'd never noticed: It's amazing how much one area of Central Florida looks remarkably like many other parts of Central Florida. *** All ended well: I whipped out my Swiss Army Knife of electronic devices -- the ubiquitous iPhone that never leaves my side unless I forget it -- tapped the GPS app icon, and lo and behold, we had enough of a signal from below to show us right where we were, which turned out to be a little west and 20 miles south of Lakeland.  *** Ah, yes... love my little iPhone.

Hands down my favorite of the entire Sun 'n Fun show was the iFly 700 GPS which has nothing to do with the iPhone but is, for pilots, just as cool for its innovative features and really affordable price: $499! *** Super easy to do a flight plan: Tap an airport with your finger on the screen and menus pop up to select a waypoint or as your final destination. *** Never buy another sectional; they're continually updated as part of the $69/year subscription service, which also includes IFR enroute charts and lots of other features. *** The company owner/designers told me there will be some eye-popping software upgrades coming down the pike.  These guys have the programming mojo -- one designed the Orbitz travel site for example. *** It comes with a suction mount, power cords, remote, carrying case and tons of features.   *** Watch this company, it could be the beginning of a major product for in flight navigation. *** The screen is 7 inches diagonally, sharp and clear.  I spent half an hour ealuating iFly with Dan Johnson and we left very impressed. *** I almost bought one... and I don't even have an airplane! Well, not yet anyway.

I had the distinct pleasure of closing out my 8 day stay in Florida for Sun 'n Fun's airshow with a visit to the MySky company at the fabulous Spruce Creek aviation community near Daytona, FL. *** My host was Prez Dieter Canje, who along with company principal and 30,000 hour pilot Tim Plunket, introduced me to the airplane. *** We were all set to shoot air2air and ground photography but Ma Nature had other ideas with some rain and overcast skies. *** I did the next best thing and copped a ride with Tim in the MS-1 prototype. *** And boy, am I glad I did.  Or dude, am I glad I did.  Whatever. *** First off, I have to say this was the best demo I've ever had, and here's why: Tim spent a good ten minutes briefing me on the flight deck, controls, knobs and levers I'd be a-twiddlin'.  Then he talked me through the maneuvers we'd be doing. *** "I'll do everything first, then you'll do it," he instructed, and that's exactly what we did: stalls, high bank turns, big looping wingovers, high speed dives. *** "Remember," Tim said at one point near the end of our flight, "there's no rule against going faster than 120 knots in an LSA other than straight and level, full power."  This, while we dove for the deck at 140 knots plus, smooth and solid and not unlike -- I gotta say because I've had the pleasure -- zooming down in a P-51 Mustang or Extra 300.  The feel, the lean and gutsy tandem cockpit, the fuselage right-side fighter-like control stick, the long bubble canopy... oh yeah, you can see where this project is going. *** I felt the urge to bark "Tally ho!  Bogies at 5 o'clock low, arm your guns!" because this is definitely a Top Gun experience compared to most other LSA. *** The company hopes to have the airplane in delivery by the end of the year.  Prototype #2 is being built in their hangar at Spruce Creek and more refinements will be made. *** But that flight with Tim stands in mind as the most thoroughly enjoyable and illuminating 24 or so minutes I've spent in an LSA yet. *** Stay tuned: Dan Johnson will be writing a flight report on it for Plane & Pilot down the road; see Dan's earlier SPLOG post.

Another LSA (and another from Czech Republic!) is about to land on our shores.  It'll be featured in my Cool Stuff overview story in the June issue of P&P, but here's a sneak preview of the cute little low wing, and why I think it could be a winner for potential owners. *** It's called Corbi Air Alto 100. *** Two veterans of the sport aircraft biz - Dan Coffey and Ron Corbi - have extensive backgrounds in sport aircraft maintenance and marketing.  They saw through direct experience that many LSA had weak points that came out after extensive use in the field: insufficiently sturdy nosegear, cheap foreign tires (that were also a problem to reorder quickly). *** So they went to an established Czech manufacturer (Direct Fly) and asked them if they'd be willing to update their four-year-popular Euro bird with American components for ASTM-certification as an S-LSA for the states.  *** Coffey’s and Corbi’s approach might be called “pre-emptive” maintenance -  they intend to design out the very things that tend to fail in LSA.  *** “Our focus with the Alto is to enhance the ‘maintainability’ of the airplane,” Coffey told me in a lengthy chat at Sun 'n Fun. *** “We’ve added things like American-made Matco wheels and brakes, bucked rivets to replace pop rivets in high-stress areas, Vertical Power’s electronic electrical system, and the Approach Hub avionics wiring system for plug-and-play component upgrades.” *** Another good idea here is to have as many quickly available U.S.- made parts as possible to make sure no flight school or owner is ever down for long. *** Another feature: Alto’s canopy slides forward for easy access to the back of the panel. *** Look for the cute Globe Swift-like Alto to be ASTM-approved and shipping by year’s end. *** And get this price: $99,995, which includes a Dynon Skyview EFIS!