---------------------------------------------------------- Lightning-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Tue 10/17/06: 2 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 12:38 PM - Re: RV-9A v. Lightening (deuskid) 2. 01:16 PM - Re: Re: RV-9A v. Lightening (Pete) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 12:38:56 PM PST US Subject: Lightning-List: Re: RV-9A v. Lightening From: "deuskid" --> Lightning-List message posted by: "deuskid" pete(at)flylightning.net wrote: > Hello John, > > The Lightning can be equipped with IFR instruments and an autopilot. > Cockpit is 44 inches wide. > There are 4 flying and 26 sold to date. > It is not within the rules to "convert" a non LSA compliant plane to a LSA > compliant one as the rule states the aircraft must have been "originally > certificated and continuously operated" within the parameters of light sport > to be flown by a pilot with light sport privileges. > > Let me know if you have more questions. > > Pete Krotje > Arion Aircraft, LLC > > -- Pete - A 767 pilot that flys an RV and building another [has like 17k hours] made the following comment as part of a larger post in VAF forum re: LSAs: ...We have had kit planes and that have met the LSA's spec planes for years, but they where never real popular: Kitfox, Sonex, Sonerai II. The KR2 and VariEZ make a nice LSA, but they are too fast. Existing factory planes that meet the LSA spec: Luscombe, Aeronca, Cessna (140) and Taylorcraft are great planes but somewhat long in the tooth. Still I would look for one to buy or fix up before I bought a new plastic LSA for $95,000. A nice old C140 cost a fraction of that. LSA's cost are crazy money for a tiny two seat plane with a go slow mission.... George knows a ton about FARs and aircraft and I'm confused that he'd reocmmend rebuilding an a/c to use as LSA. Is he mistaken about beigng able to do so? thanks John Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=68554#68554 ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 01:16:27 PM PST US From: "Pete" Subject: RE: Lightning-List: Re: RV-9A v. Lightening --> Lightning-List message posted by: "Pete" It sounds like John is a bit out of touch. If he thinks that Kitfoxes and Sonex are "never real popular" he is mistaken. Sonex just sold their 1000th kit in only 6 years. There are well over 1000 Kitfoxes out there. Granted all those figures look small compared to Vans. It is true that acquisition cost is higher for a new airplane - it always is. Operating costs for the new LSA's, though will most probably make up the difference plus C140's do not qualify as LSA and who wants to fly a Taylorcraft when so many larger, more comfortable, and more efficient plastic LSA aircraft are available. Pete -----Original Message----- From: owner-lightning-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-lightning-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of deuskid Sent: Tuesday, October 17, 2006 2:39 PM Subject: Lightning-List: Re: RV-9A v. Lightening --> Lightning-List message posted by: "deuskid" pete(at)flylightning.net wrote: > Hello John, > > The Lightning can be equipped with IFR instruments and an autopilot. > Cockpit is 44 inches wide. > There are 4 flying and 26 sold to date. > It is not within the rules to "convert" a non LSA compliant plane to a LSA > compliant one as the rule states the aircraft must have been "originally > certificated and continuously operated" within the parameters of light sport > to be flown by a pilot with light sport privileges. > > Let me know if you have more questions. > > Pete Krotje > Arion Aircraft, LLC > > -- Pete - A 767 pilot that flys an RV and building another [has like 17k hours] made the following comment as part of a larger post in VAF forum re: LSAs: ...We have had kit planes and that have met the LSA's spec planes for years, but they where never real popular: Kitfox, Sonex, Sonerai II. The KR2 and VariEZ make a nice LSA, but they are too fast. Existing factory planes that meet the LSA spec: Luscombe, Aeronca, Cessna (140) and Taylorcraft are great planes but somewhat long in the tooth. Still I would look for one to buy or fix up before I bought a new plastic LSA for $95,000. A nice old C140 cost a fraction of that. LSA's cost are crazy money for a tiny two seat plane with a go slow mission.... George knows a ton about FARs and aircraft and I'm confused that he'd reocmmend rebuilding an a/c to use as LSA. Is he mistaken about beigng able to do so? thanks John Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=68554#68554