Aircraft

Each month, Flying answers questions about the new Sport Pilot/Light-Sport Aircraft rule with assistance from the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), the authority on the opportunities available within the category commonly known as “Sport Pilot”: Q: I am considering homebuilt aircraft with an eye toward building or buying something that meets the light-sport aircraft (LSA) definition […]

Cirrus used its eighth annual owners’ meeting to make a few announcements, starting with a new model, the SR22T. The latest Cirrus offers the twin-turbocharged Continental TSIO-550-K engine from Teledyne Continental Motors. The new engine availability stems from a partnership between TCM and Cirrus, and the -K version of the engine is not available on […]

Also at its owners’ meeting last week, Cirrus announced pricing incentives. Effective immediately and running through July 31 (the conclusion of next month’s EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh), Cirrus will include air conditioning at no extra charge with any X-Edition or Xi personalized SR22 or SR20. And for current Cirrus owners who want to trade up, […]

Cirrus also announced the availability of its “retractable gear simulator” on new aircraft or for retrofit on existing Cirrus models. The accessory comes with a pilot interface panel (replicating a gear handle) and an “instructor fault select panel” allowing the instructor to simulate emergencies such as a “gear unsafe” indication. The system also includes a […]

Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) manufacturer Remos of Germany has received an investment shot in the arm, and plans to make announcements at this year’s EAA AirVenture on how it intends to use the cash. A spokesman declined to attach a dollar figure, but said the influx is “significant” and will support business development over the […]

Lesson 3 with First Landings Aviation got cut short. My effort to miss a likely afternoon thunderstorm by scheduling an 8 a.m. lesson didn’t work this time. The clouds were already starting to build, but not enough so we couldn’t get into the air for at least a half-hour lesson (thanks again to the close […]

The FAA visited some 30 Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) facilities before releasing its assessment of the industry. And the result? They need to tighten up. LSA manufacturers are responsible for complying with “consensus standards” that were developed by ASTM, and the FAA found that most could not adequately substantiate that they met the standards. Without […]

Since releasing its first product in 2003, Dynon Avionics says it leads all other manufacturers in converting light sport and experimental aircraft from conventional mechanical gauges to “glass panels.” Dynon units are installed in more than 10,000 homebuilts and LSAs, according to the company. Products start at $1,600 with the newest SkyView system priced at […]

I don’t usually turn to The Economist for aviation news, but the June 12 edition had a two-page article on the emergence of alternate-power aircraft. Examples included the ’round-the-world hopeful Solar Impulse and several electric-powered aircraft, including the Chinese Yuneec e430 which made its debut at EAA AirVenture last year. While allowing that the prospect […]

After completing several flights, it’s clear that the decision to train much closer to home at First Landings Aviation, Orlando-Apopka, was a sound one. Florida’s temperamental thunderstorms have arrived and the proximity has allowed me to reschedule canceled flights easily. And I’m really enjoying flying an LSA and the more flexible training environment. The Remos […]