ATTENDANCE OF 700,000 FOR EAA AIRVENTURE 2005

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More than 10,000 aircraft arrived at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh. Total showplanes over the seven-day convention was 2,927, comprised of a record 1,267 homebuilts; 924 vintage aircraft; 386 warbirds; 196 ultralights; 130 seaplanes; and 24 rotorcraft. Commercial exhibitors on grounds numbered 789, many of whom reported record sales and/or activity.

And what was the most interesting for us, first time the collection of new LSA category aircraft was possible to see in one place and we were a part of :

Light-Sport Aircraft Mall at EAA AirVenture

Only a year after the FAA adopted the light-sport aircraft rule, thirteen factory-built aircraft are now certificated as special light-sport aircraft (S-LSA) in USA and one example of each of them was displayed at the Light-Sport Aircraft (LSA) Mall. The LSA mall featured 35 LSA-qualified aircraft, including existing older airplanes that are LSA qualified, plus brand-new aircraft designed and manufactured specifically to meet the LSA rule.

EAA's LSA marketing consultant Dan Johnson said during last weeks for public:

• Among the aircraft slated to appear include some that have never been seen in the United States.
• Priced from $18,000 to $80,000, there's something for everyone. If you can't find what you're looking for here, it can't be found. At Sun 'n Fun this year, the first two of these aircraft got their approval, so in three-and-a-half months, we went from zero to 13 aircraft certified.
• My guess is that's never been done in aviation anywhere in the world.
• Learning to fly an LSA requires about 12 to 20 hours of flight training, depending on the type of aircraft.
• Today most people will tell you it costs $5,000 to $7,000 to get a private pilot's license. Here we should see anywhere from $1,500 to $3,000 to get a pilot's license, depending on which type of aircraft you train in.

Click here for more Sport Pilot information from EAA

The ASTM standards are recognized internationally, so countries other than the United States are free to adopt them for their own sport aircraft programs. According to Johnson, Australia will begin certificating aircraft under the standards this fall and the European Aviation Safety Agency, which represents all the European nations, is looking at a program, too.

Click here for more LSA information from EAA

But from another side there was possible to recognize here, European designs have actually big advantage of long time ago changed ultralight rules, while US UL rules stayed connected with FAR Pt. 103 and connected requirements for 'ultralight trainers'. Of course, European Ultralights are developed officially for 450-480kg MTOW, but reality brought need to create airplanes in the real designed for minimally 100kg more ( by true responsible producers), to eliminate using of that aircraft by heavier pilots, with full options and fuel tanks enable really long flights. From that reason probably in the center of LSA Mall You could recognize only American's Piper-faced American Legend AL3C-100 Cub, fabric covered square highwing Sky Ranger and low-wing SONEX maybe the simplest what is possible to built from bended and riveted aluminum sheets. You could find here in India produced Indus Aviation T211 Thorpedo too. John Thorp design with Jabiru engine, developed from American Sky Scooter from 50-ties, driven originally by 50HP Franklin.

Australia was deputed here with LSA version of Jabiru high-wing, Romania with Aerostar Festival low-wing, advertised as continuing of Russian old robust trainers Yak production. Three Germany aircraft - Aerosport Ltd. Breezer, Aerosport Ltd. C42 Ikarus and Flight Design CT, Italians TECNAMs Bravo, Echo Super and Sierra, sometimes with Pioneer demonstrated in Oshkosh actual lead position of Europe in light aircraft thanks of some years ago changed requirements, created possibility to develop faster aircraft with empty weight 270 - 310kg.

Seven Czech airplanes - Evektor SportStar, JIHLAVAN Airplanes KP-5 Kappa, Fantasy Air Allegro 2000, TL-Ultralight Sting Sport, ATEC Zephyr 2000, Interplane Skyboy and our MD3 SportRider introduced in this market by AveoUSA - showed here existing Czech leader position in European light aircraft development.

Maybe light aircraft world can send thanks to Czech government for destroying of Czech big aircraft industryâ?Ś

If You summarized it with introduced all metal high-wing Parrot and flying boat Mermaid from Czech-American producer CAW, and Czech-Italian Zlin aviation Savage, Czech designs could be here the main surprise of LSA category for US customers.

Parrot and Mermaid

Czech Kodiak team

The interest was great, new market brand new opened for LSA is huge, but impenetrableâ?Ś
So we will need to wait next EAA AirVenture 2006 to evaluate success of all advertised airplanes. Are You going to stop there ? You are welcomed.

I hope MD3 Rider will be there not only alone from GRYF aircraft.

The last idea of Dan Johnson is to introduce new LSA category airplanes in flight around all USA countries with some chosen LSA airplanes, actually offered in USA market. To see and to try there is the best what can help with acceptation of new aircraft category and in the same time to help with sale of our airplanes.

We trust in right competition we have something good to offerâ?Ś

Welcome to try!

Contact person for dealership of Rider in USA was Chuck Reynolds from AveoUSA that time - but after a year there is better to forgot that very special company.

- if You are interested about Rider, contact its new dealer Space Coast Aviation Services http://www.scaviationservices.com/index.html, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it