Arty Trost, November 4th, 2009
Last month a friend in Minnesota sent me an e-mail. “I saw an ad in Barnstormers last week about a Kolb MarkIII for sale in southern Oregon,” he wrote. “But now I can’t find the ad. Do you know anything about it?” I live in northwestern Oregon – hundreds of miles away. But only two weeks before, I had been part of a group of ultralighters (and ultralight-type E-LSAs) that were flying the Oregon coast. And one of them was a friend who owns a Kolb MarkIII– which he was trying to sell! I sent an affirming e-mail and got the two of them in touch. Just another example of the ultralight community – a community that enfolds you regardless of where you are. Read More >>
Posted in LSA, Ultralights | No Comments »
Arty Trost, October 16th, 2009
Hello, pilots and those who are exploring flying! I’m delighted to play a part in AOPA’s Lets Go Flying program. In this Blog I want to share the lessons I’ve learned through flying. I especially want to encourage you to “live out loud” — to push your boundaries, and explore new possibilities … to soar even if you never leave the ground.
A bit about me: I’ve been flying ultralights and Experimental Light Sport Aircraft for twenty years. I soloed in a Sunburst ultralight in May, 1989. That sweet bird had a five gallon gas tank, 40 foot wings with spoilerons, a 28 hp Cuyuna engine, and a cruise speed of 32 mph. I flew it happily, often pushing it to its 40 mph limit since everyone I flew with flew much faster than I could. They were the “big boys” flying CGS Hawks, Flightstars, Quicksilvers, and other ultralight types. Read More >>
Posted in Aviation Lifestyle, LSA, Ultralights | No Comments »
BillD, June 19th, 2009
I know I'm supposed to write about sailplanes and soaring. However, I spent a lot of my flying career driving single engine light planes just about everywhere and in just about every weather it's possible to do so. I also read all the blogs on Lets Go Flying which led me to think this subject might interest some readers. Read More >>
Posted in LSA, Sailplanes | 2 Comments »
A Pilot's Story movie, March 18th, 2009
Tell us your pilot story for a chance to win prizes!
The producers of "A Pilot's Story" are pleased to announce the launch of the first contest in connection with the film. You now have an opportunity to have your own "Pilot Story" featured in the film if you are the "Grand Prize" winner of the contest.
Read More >>
Posted in Aerobatics, Airplanes, Balloons, Helicopters, LSA, Paragliders, Sailplanes, Skydiving | 2 Comments »
AndrewS, February 17th, 2009
There are few bright spots in the aviation world. Cirrus, Cessna, Piper, Diamond, and the rest of the mainstream, standard category airplane makers are all announcing production and job cuts.
But not the LSA sector. True, the LSA industry is a patch-work of family run companies that have revenue in line with the local deli. But Dan Johnson is right to say Sebring and the LSA sector is a “welcome gift to the global aviation industry. Read More >>
Posted in LSA | 2 Comments »
AndrewS, January 26th, 2009
With another week of temperatures in the teens in New York, I figured there was little excuse not t o spend a few days in South Florida, especially since it involved airplanes. Read More >>
Posted in LSA | 5 Comments »
AndrewS, December 22nd, 2008
Following up on my recent post on the Flight Design CT, we take a look at another light sport aircraft, the SportCruiser.
I ventured out to Mid Island Air at Brookhaven Airport (HWV) on Long Island, NY because it now offers the Sportcruiser. The Sportcruiser is one of several LSAs made in the Czech Republic, which is to LSAs like Milwaukee is to Beer. They make a lot of them. Read More >>
Posted in LSA, News Related | 6 Comments »
AndrewS, December 15th, 2008
In the midst of the economic doldrums, which includes much of the aviation industry, two interesting pieces of news last week give hope to the pilot poluation.
The first comes from Light Sport guru, Dan Johnson. For those who don't read Dan's blog, I highly recommend it. Dan reports that LSA sales remain relatively strong, even as the general piston market slows (that's being kind). Read More >>
Posted in Airplanes, LSA, Sport | No Comments »
AndrewS, November 25th, 2008
Flight Design did not become the best-selling light sport aircraft in the country by being the best looking kid on the block. In fact, the FD is more like that nerdy guy in high school who got straight As and was still the most popular kid at the parties. In other words, looks are deceiving. It is more than just a solid performing aircraft. Despite its funny looking design it has won this low-wing guy over. Read More >>
Posted in Airplanes, Careers, LSA, Sport | 9 Comments »
