Light Sport News

Plane and Pilot Magazine has compiled a list of 10 light sport aircraft that can be yours for under $100,000 USD. The list is featured in an article by Dan Ramsey that also includes information about the basics of the sport pilot/LSA rules.

In brief, here are the names of the ten planes available for less than $100,000 USD in their basic configuration:

1. Flight Design CT
2. Legend Cub
3. TL Stingsport
4. Fantasy Air Allegro
5. Tecnam Sierra & Bravo
6. Evektor Sportstar
7. Zodiac CH 601 XL
8. Indus Skyskooter & Thorpedo
9. Rans S-7LS
10. Kappa KP-5

For info on each plane and links to all the individual manufacturer’s web sites, view the Plane & Pilot Magazine article at: http://www.planeandpilotmag.com/content/2007/feb/planes_under_100k.html

Below is a video from my first demo flight with instructor Dan Wotring of OC Sport Planes / General Aviation in Fullerton, California (FUL). Was an incredible experience in a Sting Sport aircraft.

Music is by Charlie Crowe, courtesy of the Pod Safe Music Network.

Late last week I was lucky enough to receive a demo flight in a “Sting Sport” model Light Sport Aircraft. The good folks in Fullerton, California at OC Sport Planes allowed me to video tape the entire flight and I also interviewed the staff on the various products and services they have to offer to light sport pilots.. The good folks in Fullerton, California at allowed me to video tape the entire flight and I also interviewed the staff on the various products and services they have to offer to light sport pilots.If I was unsure before as to whether I would get my light sport certificate before flying in the Sting Sport, I can say with certainly that I will be pursuing the license now. Instructor Dan Wotring gave me a great demo flight and although I’m not a pilot (yet) I have to say that flying in the Sting Sport over northern Orange County was by far the best flying experience I’ve ever had. Even as a passenger in the Sting Sport I felt the thrill of these well-performing aircraft and can see how the light sport classification has the potential to take air travel in an entirely new direction.

Part 3 of Learning to Fly will continue my first experience in a Light Sport Aircraft with photos and video. Look for Part 3 later this week.

Heading to AirVenture 2007 in Oshkosh? It’s a good idea to start planning your accommodations now. While many great options for places to stay exist, the town of about 60,000 people is set to welcome more than 600,000 visitors over the July 23 - 29 event so places close to the airfield will definitely fill up fast. Not to fear though — Tom Poberezny, EAA president and AirVenture chairman, says “nearly 40 years of event history in Oshkosh has allowed EAA to build a widespread housing network, with nearly every type and price range available.”

One great service for AirVenture visitors is the Oshkosh Convention and Visitors Bureau’s EAA Housing Hotline. The Hotline keeps updates on housing availability off the AirVenture grounds. That service, free to AirVenture visitors, is available Monday through Friday (8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Central Time) at (920) 235-3007 or 24 hours a day at www.oshkoshcvb.org or www.airventure.org.

Popular accommodation options include AirVenture camping, college dormitories, private housing, and hotels/motels. There are also private campgrounds, bed & breakfast facilities, and other private firms offering housing options during AirVenture 2007. The best place to find information about housing and the event itself is the official AirVenture site at www.airventure.org.

Are you going to AirVenture this year? Let’s get the discussion going. We’ll see you there in July!

An overview of the Dova DV1 Skylark light sport airplane by Eric Dellenbach of Sportplanes.com. Recorded live at the EAA Sport Pilot Tour event at Brown Field in San Diego, California on December 9, 2006.

The EAA’s Sport Pilot Tour stopped at Brown Field in San Diego today, December 9, 2006. Over 15 Special Light Sport Aircraft (SLSA) classified planes were on the “on the ramp” as speaker and LAMA Chairman Dan Johnson mentioned.

Photos from the event are available by clicking here.

The day began with an introductory presentation by EAA Field Relations Manager, Ron Wagner. That was followed by a overview of the aircraft on display by noted aviation author Dan Johnson. I’ve read Dan’s work and it was nice to see him in person. Following Dan Johnson was a brief discussion of the FAA’s Wings Safety Program by Fred Cristlieb.

I got to sit in quite a few Light Sport Aircraft from manufactures like Dova, SportAir USA, and Remos. I spoke at length with the folks at OC Sport Planes and am considering their facility in Fullerton, CA as the place to begin my Sport Pilot Certification.

We shot a lot of video at the event as well and will be posting some clips soon.

This is the first article in the “Learning To Fly” series in which I will document my pursuit of a Sport Pilot Certificate. I’ve been reading about the steps I need to take to acquire the certificate on sites like SportPilot.org.

According to the EAA, the basic requirements for the Sport Pilot Certificate are:

• At least 17 years of age
• Valid state driver’s license
• Proficient in the English language
• Be able to affirm general good health and not using substances or medications that impede judgment, cognition, or motor skills

Of course, I’ll also need to have 20 hours of flying under my belt. That flying includes “dual instruction (instructor and student), cross-country flying (departing one airport and landing at another), and solo flights” according to the EAA’s web site. Five hours of that training will be supervised solo flying. I can’t wait!

I’m compelled by the affordability and freedom that Light Sport Aircraft seem to allow. Since I’m new to this world, I’d love to hear your thoughts, advice, and suggestions. Click the “Join the Discussion” or “Comments” link below and leave a comment

Even though I haven’t been up in the air in a Light Sport Aircraft yet, I’m getting the itch to attend the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo 2007. The event takes place January 11-14, 2007 at Sebring Regional Airport in Florida, which looks to be a couple hours east of Tampa and about 3 hours northwest of Miami (if Google Maps are accurate).

I may be getting ahead of myself, since I’m heading to the EAA Tour Stop in San Diego tomorrow, Dec. 9, but I’ve definitely got the flying bug. I should have a bunch of photos and videos from that event real soon.

So, my question to all the Sport Pilots out there is — what should I do to get started in the world of LSA? Leave a comment and let me know!