“As of early April, the FAA has registered 838 Light Sport Aircraft,” Dan Johnson, chairman of the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association, told AVweb at the Sun ‘n Fun Fly-In in Lakeland, Fla., on Friday. “The manufacturers have been working hard to increase production to meet the demand. So where a year or so ago you might have had to wait six to eight months to get an LSA delivered, now you can get one pretty quick.” As the industry matures, companies are starting to expand their infrastructure beyond manufacturing and sales to provide service and support. “Flight Design, which has sold over 150 CTs, is at the forefront of developing a service network,” Johnson said. Several new designs are also on display on the show.
The A22 Valor, designed i n the Ukraine by Aeroprakt, the SeaMax amphibian, and the American Flyer should soon be for sale as LSAs. EAA announced this week that the FAA has clarified its problematic rule on amphibious gear for LSAs, so the gear now can be retracted in flight.
