Flightline
Sam LS Makes First Flight
The Sam LS made its first flight on February 26 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The highly anticipated flight
took place at Lachute Airport near Montreal.
"Liftoff was perfect, in about 300 feet," said Thierry
Zibi, president of Sam Aircraft. "We were not at gross
weight, so our climb of nearly 1,300 feet per minute felt
like a rocket."
Test pilot Raphaël Langumier reported that the initial
handling was exactly as expected. "With the prop set
at a climb setting, we saw a maximum level speed of
127 mph," he said.
trainer. Sam Aircraft calls it comfortable, rugged, easy
to repair, economical, and fun.
Deliveries of the first kits are scheduled for late summer 2013. Deposits for delivery positions are open;
the introductory ready-to-fly price (FOB Canada) is
$135,000 and includes some attractive upgrades at no
charge. The standard kit is priced at $39,000.
For a video of the first flight, visit www.EAA.org/
news/2013/2013-03-06_SAM-LS-makes-first-flight.asp.
The 21-minute flight covered the basics: 30-degree
banks, straight flight, and gentle control. "There is a
lot more to test," Zibi said, "but all indications are that
the aerodynamics are exactly what we have expected
all along."
The Sam LS is a roomy tandem, retro-look metal aircraft, powered by the 100-hp Rotax 912S and sporting
a Sensenich ground-adjustable composite propeller.
It's available ready-to-fly or as a kit in three configurations (short, long, and standard wing). As an (available) 250-hour quick-build kit, the Sam LS was designed to have the distinctive classic look of a warbird
Rotax Releases Alert Service Bulletin
Rotax has released ASB-912-062
/ 914-044 R1. This mandatory alert
service bulletin covers the inspection
of cylinder heads No. 2 and No. 3 for oil
leakages into the intake port on Rotax
912 and 914 series aircraft engines.
Download the service bulletin and view
the video. This video will help you determine whether your engine is affected
and will describe the simple process of
checking an affected engine.
Florida Sonex Association to Hold Zephyrhills
Fly-In during Sun 'n Fun
The Florida Sonex Association will be holding its first annual Spring Sonex Fest fly-in on Saturday, April 13, 2013,
at the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport in Zephyrhills, Florida.
The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is a great
opportunity for Sun 'n Fun attendees interested in Sonex
Aircraft to experience a grassroots Sonex builder event. The
Zephyrhills airport is only a 35-minute drive from Lakeland.
Fly-in or transient air traffic is also welcome; however, event
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Vol.2 No.4 / April 2013
organizers and airport management ask that all attendees,
driving or flying in RSVP for the event, to make sure adequate food, refreshments, shade, and aircraft parking are
available. Learn more at www.FloridaSonex.com.
Sonex Aircraft will also be hosting forums at Sun 'n Fun on
Thursday, April 11, and Friday, April 12. Sonex will not have
an exhibitor booth.