Experimenter is a magazine created by EAA for people who build airplanes. We will report on amateur-built aircraft as well as ultralights and other light aircraft.
Issue link: http://experimenter.epubxp.com/i/113663
L i g h t P l a n e Wor l d An apparently serious buyer tries on the Tecnam P2008 cockpit. and 57 percent were from Europe. The remainder came from Australia, South America, India, and elsewhere. The number added each year has stabilized between 250 and 300 airplanes. To put these numbers in perspective, consider that in the 25 years from 1982 to 2007, Cessna, Piper, Grumman, Beech, and Diamond manufactured 2,200 two-place airplanes collectively. The LSA industry added more two-place airplanes in seven years than all the majors built in 25 years, and it did it during the worst economic recession in 75 years. It hardly seems fair to suggest the LSA industry is in "critical condition," as claimed by one aviation editor. The truth is that LSA remains one of the strongest sectors in all of general aviation! For more inside information about the state of the LSA industry, see www.ByDanJohnson.com. Light Sport is the Poster Child for Self-Governance Babbitt shared some interesting observations about LSA in his address to the manufacturers at Sebring. He had been an airline pilot for 25 years, served as president of the airline pilots union, and currently works for Southwest Airlines as senior vice president of labor relations. Randy said he first learned about LSA at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh and became fascinated by the technology and enthusiasm. He said, "Light-sport is the inspiration for what we will be doing in the future." Calling light-sport aviation the poster child for self-governance, he explained that due to tight funds in the government, regula- 42 Vol.2 No.3 / March 201 3 tors will be a lot more interested in self-governance and the designee approach. He said the LSA safety record is better than any other segment and added the industry should be very proud of what it has accomplished. He closed by saying, "Light-sport puts aviation within the reach of people, making it affordable, so it will fuel the pipeline for pilots who will be needed in the future." The Sebring Expo was successful in selling airplanes, promoting sport aviation, and providing inspiration for the future of aviation, and it did one more thing. It brought together a group of diehard aviation enthusiasts to exchange ideas, re-establish connections, and get fired up and excited about the coming year of sport aviation. It worked for me because I unexpectedly met some old friends and made some new ones, which made the trip priceless. You should try it next year; the 2014 Expo is set for January 16 to 19. » Please send your comments and suggestions to dgrunloh@illicom.net. Dan Grunloh, EAA 173888, is a retired scientist who began flying ultralights and light planes in 1982. He won the 2002 and 2004 U.S. National Microlight Championships in a trike and flew with the U.S. World Team in two FAI World Microlight Championships. Photography by Dan Grunloh