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The New LSA
The Light Sport Aircraft market has arrived. Even though the FAA’s approved LSA category has only been around a few years, the number of aircraft and manufacturers from which to choose has literally flown through the roof.With the new aircraft market generally ignoring the rest of the country’s economic woes, it appears that everyone wants a piece of the LSA market. That’s not to say that every LSA manufacturer is a new kid on the block, in fact a good majority have been producing aircraft for quite some time overseas. Almost all of the US registered models have scores of brethren flying elsewhere in the world. While most of the manufacturers have been European, American companies are getting on board as well, including big time manufacturer Cessna.
With Cessna and Cirrus both entering their respective models, the signal is loud and clear that the sport market is hot. The LSA is bringing the weekend warrior out of the hangar and may just be the catalyst to reenergize recreational flying. With more then 40 different models registered in the US already, the prospective buyer certainly doesn’t have to worry about a lack of choice. The consumer’s abundant options don’t stop once he or she has decided on a particular model either. The trickle down effect of technology in aviation is rewarding the buyers of the newest LSAs.
Today the flexibility and availability of technology is giving buyers access to aircraft made with the latest materials and avionics that used to be found only in the business jet community. Most impressive is the selection of avionics ranging from a few standard gauges to Dynon EFIS systems and Garmin G430s. In fact, just as Cessna has been equipping their piston aircraft with standard glass panels, several light sport manufacturers, such as Flight Design and their CTLS, are also offering glass avionics as standard equipment. The relatively low cost of adding these advanced avionics make the buyer’s decision as obvious as buying a new car, but not spending a little more for airconditioning.
The appeal to the light sport movement is its ability to reach a compromise between the average pilot’s needs and wants and his wallet. Mr. Webster defines compromise as something intermediate between or blending qualities of two different things. In this case, it means taking the best characteristics of full size aircraft, incorporating them into smaller LSAs and wrapping them up with the best avionics money can buy. The end result is a cutting edge aircraft that preserves the pilot’s budget, while bringing back the feel of a Sunday afternoon flight in that old J3 Cub.
The Aircraft Bluebook - Price Digest® is pleased to announce our entrance into the LSA community, currently listing two new LSA models in the spring issue with many more to follow in the summer volume. For over 50 years, The Aircraft Bluebook has served the world as the leading pricing authority in aircraft values.
Chris Reynolds
Aircraft Bluebook-Price Digest®
9800 Metcalf Avenue
Overland Park, KS 66212
