ByDanJohnson.com

Throughout the 115 years since the Wrights took their Flyer into the skies for the first time, aviation has enjoyed remarkable progress. Wing design, engine design, instrumentation changes, safety enhancements… we have witnessed many dramatic changes in how aircraft ply the skies and do so with increasing efficiency and with less danger to occupants or those on the ground.

All of us who enjoy flight know much about this, but things are changing and perhaps fast enough to push many of us current-aviation experts into a discomfort zone.

As you have seen on this website and just about any media outlet reporting on new developments, multicopters are looming ever larger on the horizon. More and more startups — many funded with tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars! — are jumping into the game. Huge aviation names such as Boeing and Airbus are deep into work on new-style flying machines. Some have multiple prop-rotors. Other use pivoting wings with multiple power plants. Nearly all are pure electric though hybrid systems are used and a few are proposing hydrogen-fuel motors.

None of this may interest you, the present-day pilot who loves your light aircraft with its fixed (or not) wings and gasoline engine. Few, including me, believe our more commonplace flying machines are going away anytime soon. Batteries remain the weak link in the chain.

However, for short-range urban transport, multicopters may be unstoppable.

Such transportation is the goal of Lift Aircraft, a Texas startup that hopes to change the way people travel.

An article in an online publication called Motherboard stated, “On a small airfield northwest of Austin, Lift Aircraft is testing ultralight aircraft for personal travel at short distances. [Lift’s Hexa is] a vertical take-off and landing system that uses 18 propellers powered by 18 electric motors to move a person across the sky.”

“We’re not trying to solve the problem of flying long distances,” Matt Chasen, CEO of Lift Aircraft, told Motherboard. “We’re focused on short hop flights in dense urban areas.”

Lift’s creation is different than the others in some ways and similar in others. My eye was instantly caught by the test flights in a video that shows a pilot controlling the aircraft using a conventional side-stick.

Lift has also listed many features they believe provide safe operation including something they call an Autonomous Ballistic Parachute that uses multiple ballistic devices to provide effective operation, they say, “as low as 10 meters (33 feet).”

If I am honest, I can see myself flying in one of these multicopters one day. They might be highly enjoyable with super maneuverability, no airport needed, fantastic visibility, relatively quiet operation, and the chance to hover over a scene of interest.

This may be so long coming to fruition that I will never see it …but I wouldn’t bet on it.

For more info, watch this professionally done video about the Lift aircraft. It includes flying scenes.

Infotech + Aircraft = Multicopters
What Happens When Infotech
Meets Air Traffic Control?

Jabiru importer Scott Severen alerted me to the Motherboard article but it was about more than Lift’s new aircraft. The article addressed the challenges of air traffic control in the new age, that new age that may herald a coming swarm of multicopters. Consider the following…

According to the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), there are about 5,000 passenger aircraft in the sky at any given time, which require 521 aircraft towers, 25 air route traffic control centres, and 6,000 airway transportation systems specialists to coordinate. Meanwhile, the FAA also predicts that the number of unmanned drones registered in its database could surge to more than 6 million by 2021—a fleet of robot that will have to be taken into account when we’re divvying up the skyline.

“Divvying up the skyline” where skyline means airspace sounds rather threatening to current pilots. Many pilots have told me they worry about drones or multicopters interfering with the enjoyment of their aircraft, or worse, causing safety problems.

Those concerns may be real but the new flying machines identify the weakness in our current ATC system, great as it has been for aviation safety. It simply takes so many highly-paid controllers with hundreds of facilities and a need for ever-increasing equipment sophistication.

That paragraph quoted above sends a message. ATC depends on up to 6,000 workers to move 5,000 aircraft around the skies safely. Imagine millions of new flying machines and the old system begins to look creaky. Already, many criticize FAA for using out-dated computers and other equipment and federal employment system that creates high costs. Can the tech world improve on this?

Every day, the FAA’s Air Traffic Organization provides service to more than 43,000 flights and 2.6 million airline passengers across more than 29 million square miles of airspace. See this FAA page for more infographics on services FAA performs. That, too, may be changing.

Motherboard reported, “NASA is already developing an air-traffic control framework that could track unmanned flying cars that fly under 500 feet. As reported in Skift, the NASA system is meant to be automated. [NASA will] finish its research by 2019, and hand over ideas for the FAA to implement no later than 2025.”

A Brave New World could start in 2019.

Compress Post ...

One year ago, I was touring around China thanks to my good friends at AeroJones, the China-based manufacturer of the popular CTLS for the Asia-Pacific region.

It was my second trip halfway around the world and I learned more about this country and its move to enter light aviation.

In this article, I want to spotlight the newest model of an all-electric aircraft called the RX1E, plus the very first kit-built aircraft in the country, and Continental Motors’ support of another kit project.

Electric Aircraft Upgraded

Xin Gou often reports via Twitter regarding Chinese light aircraft developments. Xin works with Willi Tacke, a well-known German publisher, electric flight enthusiast, and emerging China magazine entrepreneur. Xin and Willi work together on Flying China magazine. I actively follow Xin on social media where he is prolific posting items of interest to aviators.

Reporting from the recently-concluded Zhuhai air show, Xin tweeted, “Liaoning GA Institute, China has upgraded their electric LSA called RX1E-A” — the “-A” denotes this change. “The brochure claims a two-hour charging time and a maximum duration of two hours.” Both are worthy achievements.

“The electric motor comes from a European supplier,” reported Xin. “Liaoning engineers have also installed a whole airframe parachute. The organization received 10 orders from a Chinese operator.”

Read more about electric aircraft, Willi, and Aero in this article from 2015, which includes coverage of RX1E. Xin also works with Willi to publish the e-flight-journal, which extensively reports these developments. I believe it to be the leading publication in this space.

I reported earlier on the RX1E (without the “-A”). It was an impressive construction but in 2015 it was still a work in progress, according to representatives at Aero Friedrichshafen LINK in Germany. In the ensuing three years, Liaoning made several changes.

Xin added in a subsequent Tweet, “I forgot to mention… a four seater fully electric model is also in development! It will be quite different from this LSA model.”

This short video will give you a brief tour of the earlier version of RX1E:

For lots more videos about electric aircraft use this link to the Light Sport and Ultralight Flyer YouTube channel.

China Opens the Door to Kit Building

Besides the electric aircraft from Liaoning, Xin tweeted, “China is also opening the door for kit-built aircraft.” While these have not been officially recognized until very recently, that is changing as the populous country cautiously embraces the ideas of private aviation.

The nearby image shows the first experimental category aircraft in China. Approval was given to this aircraft from Europe. Note the “B-X001” tail number, Xin observes. “CAAC (the Chinese FAA) established the news experimental category in May 2018,” reported Xin. “More kit-built airplane models will be built in China,” he predicted.

If you’d like to follow Xin on Twitter, search for @chineseflyer. His command of English is superb and he is a true aviation enthusiast reporting professionally on the growth of general and sport aviation in China. As noted, his work with Willi keeps him very in-the-know about electric aircraft, not only in China but around the globe.

Compress Post ...

CubCrafters may be the SLSA market leader but Van’s has delivered more RV-12s to customers. Image by Ed Hicks

Since shortly after ByDanJohnson.com went live (on April Fool’s Day 2004, just a few months before the LSA rule was released), one regular website feature has earned positive reviews. Our LSA market shares and ranking information was an instant hit with business people seeking data to use in running their LSA enterprises.

Before long, pilots and customers began to value the effort. Later, I discovered people in government agencies in the USA and other countries were following these reports. With that support and attention from other media outlets, our LSA Market Share reporting became a staple of this website. Oddly (it seemed to me), this was the only place you could find it.*

Pipistrel with their long gliding Sinus and Virus models have done well but were previously challenging to count accurately. See charts below.

More and more of you have been asking about this data …and I am pleased to say it’s coming back!

Our longtime data investigator, Jan Fridrich, got an offer he couldn’t refuse to help China grow their nascent general aviation market and his time is now too committed to perform the tedious and time consuming survey of FAA’s N-number database. The task is not just poring over records but interpreting results as you will see in the chart images.

With a huge, mighty thank you to Jan, we are now changing gears. I think you will genuinely like the new directions we can now take.

A while back with an article about the American gyroplane market, I introduced you to Steve Beste. A self-described “retired software engineer,” Steve is well qualified to sift through FAA computer records to distill the information.

FAA’s database shows numerous “manufacturers” (MFR) for Pipistrel’s Virus models. Steve labored to simplify this list.

However, this will not merely be a data recovery effort. Not only has Steve used a professional approach to capturing this information, he has applied his technical skills to make the task somewhat easier going forward so we can be more consistent with this valuable reporting.

Even better, his methods will allow us to display this information through a program called Tableau that makes the consumption of such data far more visually interesting.

We’ll still have our familiar chart but in trying to assemble that, it will go through some changes. I’ll try my best to bridge the old and new in ways that still make sense to you and bring some continuity. We hope you will continue to enjoy as you have for so long. My deep appreciation goes to both Jan Fridrich and Steve Beste for giving superb assistance to make this possible.

Using algorithms, a simplified Pipistrel list is more understandable. Thanks for Steve’s diligence.

* I don’t know if everyone’s email regularly offers worldwide LSA sales forecasts, but I see promotion for these reports frequently, two or three times every week. Because I publish such info, I wanted to see what they had. As it turned out they cost a lot (up to $3,000) so I declined. As more solicitations came in with hints of what was offered, I realized their forecasts were informed estimates and included companies that are inactive or only ever made a very small number of aircraft. I don’t know their sources but I became suspect this was a fancy compilation of unreliable information. If anyone bought these reports or has seen them, I’d be most curious to hear any opinions about them. Until then, I’m ignoring their high prices and sticking with our own data, the accuracy of which we believe is very high.

Compress Post ...

The Airplane Factory‘s Sling LSA; represented by Aerosport

DeLand proclaimed another success for 2018. As one of the “troops in the trench,” I can attest to a satisfactory event, as I chronicled in Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3 articles.

Of particular note, DeLand can boast nine of nine days of wonderful weather. OK, fine, it rained one evening and winds blew somewhat furiously for a short while, but the precipitation came after show hours and no aircraft were damaged (although a couple tents took a nose dive).

I’ve opined how the thick crowds of the giant shows are not necessary and may not even be desirable. At smaller events, customers get more face time — and air time, through many demo flights launched. Exhibiting vendors got actual orders, made deliveries, and connected with pilots who may act later. When both customers and suppliers are happy, I’d call that a success. Neither had to spend big money to participate.

Evolution Trikes has grown to three models.

Again, Sport Aviation Administrator and longtime show director, Jana Filip and her team — backed by affable airport manager John Eiff — got rave reviews for highly professional orchestration. Her enterprise was comprised of a large number of volunteers, without whom these events — even the biggest shows — simply could not happen. DeLand was buttressed by 119 volunteers previously engaged plus another 11 walk-ons providing 130 volunteers to help support Showcase 2018.

DeLand 2018 By the Numbers

The key number that everyone seems to focus on is attendance. Jana Filip announced, “The total attendee count for Showcase 2018 was 5,500 over the course of the three day event.” Some organizations — including the biggest shows — count each person entering through a gate each day, even if the same person comes every day (meaning one individual could be seven “persons” if the show runs for a week. Many call that legitimate; they may buy something each day. Other observers think that is only one person attending seven times. In the end, what matters is consistency as you could argue either method is correct.

Magnus LSA • All images courtesy Roy Beisswenger of Powered Sport Flying

However DeLand’s 5,500 visitors are tallied, it’s a net positive. Most attendees likely did not come all three days but what really matters is that virtually every attendee is clearly interested in what is exhibited or presented as no airshow entertainment is offered (other than the nearly non-stop skydiving). While the quantity doesn’t compete with the giant shows, the quality of attendees is sky high; every one is motivated to be present.

Jana continued, “All revenues were up from the prior year, from the Souvenir Shop to the admission gates, equating to a steady growth three years in a row. The Saturday of Showcase 2018 was our break-thru day, with perfect weather and more attendees than ever before.” I can affirm (and wrote that) Saturday was strong. Reports were the front gate ran out of wrist bands on Saturday and had to request more.

Aero Adventure‘s well-priced S17 seaplane

Of course, shows like DeLand, Sebring, and Midwest also hope to promote their airport and its development. This has worked extremely well for Sebring, the grandaddy of these sector-specific shows. The Central Florida airport has new tenants and flight operators because of producing the show.

Likewise, DeLand is promoting its “DeLand Sport Aviation Village, a 40-acre commerce park” where businesses can get hangar space in an incubator-like concept. They also reported a brand-new airport administration building is almost complete. The Showcase will have offices in this new structure.

One More Thing… Because this post is about airshows and because 2018 events are now history, our left column has all the correct 2019 dates for your planning. If you can make it, please wave when Videoman Dave and I zoom by en route to more fresh video recordings. If you cannot attend… well, at least we will be at all these events capturing new interviews and Video Pilot Reports (VPRs).

Compress Post ...

The end of the year is approaching. We just wrapped Halloween and now begin the headlong rush into the holiday season. However, before all that retail excitement starts, here comes the third running of the DeLand Showcase.

This is my new favorite airshow for one reason everyone seems to understand instantly. Why would I put one airshow above another given that I love them all? Easy …I get to sleep in my own bed every evening. Sweet! Yep, DeLand airport is a mere 25 minutes from my home, on another airport, the Spruce Creek Fly-In. How much better could it get?

Lots of shiny new airplanes and lots of very knowledgeable people to help answer all your questions. My personal comfort is good for me, but why should YOU be making your way to DeLand?

Here’s Our Top-5 Reasons

Reason #5 — It will be a few months before the next show, when the Sebring Sport Aviation Expo starts in late January. Here’s your last chance this calendar year to see a great collection of aircraft in one convenient, pilot-friendly location. Showcase is held at the DeLand Municipal Airport (KDED).

Reason #4 — DeLand has enjoyed sparkling, warm weather with clear skies every day it has run so far. While the northern states start to hunker down for winter, a slower time for recreational flying, Florida is just revving up. Weather is never a guarantee, of course, but DeLand can boast a perfect record so far.

Reason #3 — Lots to do from airplanes to engines to flying gear to forums to special presentations by notable speakers to food and to pilots talking excitedly with one another about flying. In the evenings, DeLand has some of the most interesting restaurants in the area and Daytona Beach is a short drive away.

Reason #2 — A great collection of affordable aircraft will be available from one end of the light aviation spectrum to the other. The group changes a little each year. Come and see what’s new for 2018.

…and Reason #1 — Fly the airplanes, investigate engines for your kit project, see how various airplanes fit you, carefully examine the airplanes that most interest you, talk to the people representing or manufacturing them, have those longer conversations you cannot have at the big shows where vendors can be overwhelmed by tire kickers and others. Talk seriously about an airplane purchase or upgrade or service or options with the experts. But remember, this show is about flying those airplanes you like …so GO FLY!

You can probably add a few more reasons of your own, but the key is to show up and enjoy yourself while checking out a good flock of Light-Sport Aircraft, light kit-build aircraft, and ultralights. Inside the display tent you will find a good collection of accessories, tools, and other gear pilots want.

Oh, here’s one more reason. Come see Videoman Dave and me making fresh videos like the one below. If you can’t make this year’s DeLand Showcase, at least you will get to see lots of videos.

Really, though… the fun is being present. C’mon down south folks, the weather’s great!

Compress Post ...