The Light Sport Aircraft era faced a number of chicken-and-egg difficulties in getting launched, such as ensuring there would be enough flight instructors and mechanics to train students and maintain airplanes. Folks were cautious about buying aircraft if that infrastructure was sparse, but businesses were reluctant to invest until they were sure the market was there. Now, with more than 1,000 light sport aircraft sold and registered, those issues are starting to work themselves out. This week, Flight Design USA, which builds the top-selling LSA, said it has graduated 23 technicians, distributors, and dealers from its comprehensive engine and airframe training classes in the last year. Students in the week-long courses at Aero Technical Institute, in Sebring, Fla., learn about the Rotax 912 engine and the CTsw composite airframe.
Under training programs run by Flight Design of Germany, technicians can qualify at three levels of expertise that enable them to work on increasing portions of the airplane.
