Dan Johnson told me, “The first light-sport airplane arrived in the U.S. in April 2005. The first two FAA-accepted special light-sport aircraft were announced…almost exactly 15 years ago.” Johnson reviews recreational aircraft and posts those reports on his site, bydanjohnson.com. A flight school needs to use an S-LSA in order to operate a light-sport aircraft in commercial operations—and that’s one of the target markets for Texas Aircraft Manufacturing’s new Rotax-powered Colt S and SL models.
Can Texas Aircraft’s Colt Become a Real 21st-Century Trainer?
Key Takeaways:
- Texas Aircraft Manufacturing introduces the Colt LSA as a modern, cost-effective, and robust training aircraft, specifically targeting flight schools as an alternative to older models like the Cessna 150/172.
- The Colt features an all-aluminum airframe with solid rivets, a chromoly survival cage, and modern Dynon SkyView HDX avionics, built to exceed ASTM standards for durability in demanding flight training.
- It offers significant economic advantages with a lower purchase price and reduced operating costs (e.g., using automotive gas), though its useful load is comparable to older two-place trainers.
- Handcrafted in the U.S. by a team including military veterans, the Colt is designed for stable and controllable flight characteristics, with features like easy cabin access and docile stall performance.
Key takeaways sponsored by Aviator Pro | Start Your Training ->
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