Light Sport

Piper had planned to make an announcement at the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, Florida, today. Piper did not reveal any details of the planned announcement before hand, but the fact that the announcement will be made at the fourth annual U.S. Sport Aviation Expo has ignited all manner of speculation that Piper will […]

Just before the new year, Cessna delivered the first Model 162 SkyCatcher to Rose Pelton, the wife of Cessna President and CEO Jack Pelton. Rose planned to use her new 162 to — what else? — learn to fly. The delivery took place across the field from Cessna at Yingling Aircraft, where the first SkyCatchers […]

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: Would it be possible to build/rebuild a V-22 homebuilt to meet the Light Sport Aircraft maximum weight of 1,430 […]

As promised, Cessna delivered the first Model 162 SkyCatcher to Rose Pelton on Dec. 18. She is the wife of Cessna President and CEO Jack Pelton, and plans to use the airplane to begin flying lessons. The ceremonial delivery occurred at Wichita’s Yingling Aircraft facility, where SkyCatchers are assembled after arriving from the factory in […]

Especially in times of economic strife, new industry players live and die by news about their economic standing. That’s why it was so critical for German Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) manufacturer Remos to announce a new source of funding last week. The fresh funding came from a combination of Remos’ two main shareholders — Munich’s […]

Cessna’s 162 SkyCatcher is a totally modern flight trainer at a very reasonable price.

I believe all of us would declare Cessna’s new 162 SkyCatcher light sport airplane (LSA) to be a success if it flew about as well as the legendary 150/152 series of two-seat trainers. I’m happy to say the 162 flies as well as, and in some respects better than, the 150/152 and also has a […]

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: Can vortex generators be installed prior to Phase 1 flight testing to enhance the probability of legally meeting LSA […]

A Nov. 6 fatal accident near Agnos, Arkansas, further mars the record of the Zodiac CH601XL light sport aircraft. The type has been cited for possible problems with its controls that could lead to aerodynamic flutter and in-flight breakup. Six previous in-flight breakups have led the Experimental Aircraft Association to urge operators of the type […]

With its landing gear first installed last July, the prototype Icon A5 amphibian continues to undergo a combination of tests involving land and water operations. The company reports that the electrically driven retractable gear cycles in 10 seconds, and takeoff tests have shown its geometry to be correct. Liftoffs have come at below the expected […]