Light Plane World
T is M-16 Magni gyroplane at the Mt. Vernon expo was manufactured in Italy and has fl own from Tennessee to California.
Midwest LSA Expo and Epic Flights
By Dan Grunloh
Anyone interested in buying a new light-sport aircraft (LSA), or wanting to learn more about them, would have felt like a kid in a candy store at the Midwest LSA Expo held in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, September 6 to 8. The most eye-catching of the approximately 40 aircraft on display was Greg Gremminger's M-16 Magni gyroplane with the Angry Birds paint scheme. Greg said kids come straight to his aircraft when they see it displayed at air shows and fly-ins. Adults over a certain age fail to recognize the popular video game characters and are puzzled by the graphics. Greg isn't angry, but he is impatient over the continued failure of the FAA to allow for the manu- facture and sale of special light-sport aircraft (S-LSA), ready-to-fly gyroplanes. Sport pilots can fly gyros, but
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currently gyroplanes like the Magni trainer must be registered as amateur-built experimental aircraft.
The newest LSA at Mt. Vernon was the Vulcan C-100 by SAB Aviation of Italy. SAB Aviation has expanded into the U.S. market by introducing an LSA derivative of the Falco kit plane. The Vulcan C-100 on display is the only example in North America, and it has become the 127th design to be approved in the United States under the S-LSA rules. The all-metal low wing started out as the Pegaso project by Corivi Aviation until it was bought by SAB. The Rotax 912–powered aircraft was originally available with fixed or retractable gear. Learn more in this Vulcan C-100 video. Look for future announcements