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LSA Buyer’s Guide

Vanilla, chocolate, strawberry or Fudge-Ribbon Granola-Mocha Delight? How’s a pilot to choose which bird to buy?

For example, many companies include whole-aircraft parachute systems—such as those produced by BRS (www.brsparachutes.com)—as standard equipment. Others make ’chutes an option. This welcome evolution in GA flight has already saved hundreds of lives—carefully weigh the consequences of a structural failure, midair collision or loss of power over inhospitable terrain against the cost and weight of an all-plane ’chute. Then consider this: I once saw a big sign in a Navy parachute rigger that read: “If you ever need one...and you don’t have one...you’ll never need one again.”

Finally, many top LSA come from Europe, but you may prefer an American-made model. With the euro/dollar imbalance recently adjusting back in our favor, you might think that the prices of European-imported LSA would adjust downward. Many distributors, however, have been eating the currency-conversion “tax” to increase their competitiveness, so prices may not adjust at all.

In the end, whatever LSA flavors make your mouth water, take a demo flight—or several. Put the airplane into situations like those you’ll expect to experience as an owner. Ask yourself if you like the handling: Is it too responsive? Too stiff and stable? How does the airplane feel in light chop? In medium turbulence? Is climb-out performance satisfactory? What about fuel economy or range with full fuel? Can you fit your golf clubs, or is baggage space minimal?

There’s only one sure path to your ultimate purchase decision—do your homework. Now to the next step: stoking those dream fires.

AMERICAN LEGEND CUB
Ranked #2 in U.S. registrations, this taildragging throwback to the early days of personal flight is a modern retooling of the original Piper Cub. It’s really a Super Cub in performance, comfort and design enhancements. The fabric-covered, all-metal-airframe bird comes with lots of options (composite prop, TruTrak EFIS glass panel with autopilot) and engine packages (Continental O-200 or Jabiru 3300A). Price: $103,895. Contact: American Legend Aircraft Company, (903) 885-7000, www.legend.aero.

EVEKTOR SPORTSTAR SL
Enhanced since the low-wing SportStar debuted as the first S-LSA to gain ASTM approval in the United States, the new SL offers a roomy 46.5-inch cabin topped with a forward-hinge, single-piece canopy for enhanced visibility. The all-aluminum primary airframe is dressed in a contoured composite shell. The 115-knot top cruise speed and 700 nm range (31.2-gallon wing tanks) support training and cross-country roles. Standard equipment includes the Rotax 912 ULS (100 hp) engine, nosewheel steering, dual control sticks, mechanical flaps and adjustable rudder pedals. Price: $120,000. Contact: Evektor Aircraft, www.evektor-aircraft.com.

FLIGHT DESIGN CTLS
Flight Design, a German company, continues its winning ways (#1 in U.S. registrations) with the sleek, sporty CTLS, a refined version of its popular all-carbon-fiber CTSW. The comfortable, fast (120-knot) high-wing cruiser is roomy (49-inch cabin), strong (certified to two international airworthiness standards) and comes standard with dual Dynon EFIS glass panels, a Garmin radio and GPS (with XM Weather), a Mode C transponder, a BRS parachute system and much more. Price: $133,800. Contact: Flight Design USA, (860) 963-7272, www.flightdesignusa.com.

TECNAM EAGLET
The fourth entry from Italian manufacturer Tecnam (ranked #3 in the United States), the Eaglet debuted at U.S. Sport Aviation Expo 2008 in Sebring, Fla. Derived from two other Tecnam designs, the all-aluminum, high-wing aircraft is aimed at the training market but also has sport pilot–style cross-country appeal. Cruise at 75% power is a healthy 116 knots. The standard price includes a traditional six-pack, NAV and strobe lights, a landing light, a PM3000 intercom and Garmin’s GTX 327 transponder and SL40 COM radio. Price: $119,900. Contact: Tecnam Aircraft, (770) 309-4155, www.tecnamaircraft.com.

CUBCRAFTERS SPORT CUB S2
One of three current LSA resurrecting the venerable Piper Cub design, this Cubby modernizes the breed with standard AmSafe air bags; metal fuselage, tail and wings; 40 new carbon-fiber and composite parts; and an AWI “4 into 1” exhaust system to boost the Continental’s power output. A reworked engine mount, vortex generators, an updated tailspring, double-puck brakes and lighter/stronger windows (plus tundra tire and float packages) only top the list of many new features and options. Price: $119,500. Contact: CubCrafters, (509) 248-9491, www.cubcrafters.com.

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