Sun N Fun 2012 light sport
aircraft and ultralight aircraft at Paradise City, Light Sport Aircraft Pilot News
newsmagazine.
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 Light Sport Aircraft Pilot is a directory of aircraft that generally fit
into what are described as ultralight aircraft, advanced ultralight
aircraft,
light sport aircraft, experimental light sport aircraft, experimental
aircraft, amateur built aircraft, ELSA or homebuilt
aircraft in the United States and Canada.
These include
weight shift aircraft, more commonly known as trikes,
powered parachutes, and powered para-gliders.
In this issue of the Light Sport and Ultralight Pilot we take a look at
the lighter side of Sun N Fun 2012 held in Lakeland Florida.
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Sun N Fun 2012 light sport
aircraft and ultralight aircraft at Paradise City.
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I can remember going to Sun N
Fun in the 80's and 90's and seeing what is now
Paradise City packed with vendors and aircraft from one end
of the field to the other. The show this year can not be
compared to that time, but I get the sense that change is in
the air.
Before the light sport aircraft movement overwhelmed us, and
shut down pilots associations, manufacturers, engine repair
stations, aircraft dealers and flight training facilities
the ultralight movement flourished under part 103 and the
"ultralight training exemption."
One of the reasons that Paradise City was always busy was
that everything under the umbrella of the word "ultralight"
or "ultralight trainer" flew off of the Paradise City
runway!
Whether you were a powered para-glider, a jet powered
powered parachute, a towable ultralight glider, or a World
War I or II replica you flew from sunrise to sunset from our
little grass strip. |
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Complaints about speed
differences were sorted out by starting the slower more
vulnerable craft in the mornings and evenings, while the
faster, three axis craft, trikes, etc flew during the day.
The manufacturers showcase was something everyone looked
forward to, as they demonstrated their craft in front of the
crowd with a factory spokesman or an announcer working the
loud speaker system.
All that changed overnight with the introduction of the
light sport aircraft category! There was a new group of
manufacturers who were looking for a more convention pilot
market, so they weren't interested in the ultralight crowd.
Manufacturers that use to make a single place ultralight,
and used their two place aircraft to demonstrate their wares
stopped coming to Sun N Fun, because they no longer had an
ultralight market, and they weren't interested in moving
into light sport. The new light sport guys decided that they
should set up shop in their own location, separate from the
ultralight area. So Paradise City became more of a ghost
town than a thriving city!
But my sense this year is that is all about to change!
During an interview I had with Dave Piper (who runs Paradise
city with the aid of over 300 volunteers) and Dan Johnson
President of the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association I
was told that next year Paradise City will also be home of
the Light Sport Aircraft Mall and Light Sport Aircraft
Manufacturers area. Too sweeten the pot the current runway
will again be improved with the filling in of the remaining
ditch at the one end, and the removal of some more of the
trees on the parking lot side of the runway.
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was also told that it is expected that aircraft using the
Paradise City runway will be able to land and take off all
day, even during the air show, with some exceptions of
course. Manufacturers will also have their own taxi way for
the loading and unloading of passengers and prospective
buyers. Evidence that manufacturers are actually looking
forward to the move next year could be seen this year by the
addition of a number of light sport aircraft manufacturers
and dealers making use of the Paradise City runway!
In fact this year was the first and only time that I have
seen the Cessna Skycatcher take off and land from Paradise
City.
Think what the addition of 50 or 60 manufacturers, plus
accessory suppliers, engine suppliers etc would add to the
population of Paradise City!
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Sun N Fun 2012 light sport and ultralight
aircraft at Paradise City, Light Sport Aircraft Pilot News
newsmagazine. |
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Sun N Fun Paradise City
light sport and ultralight runway, Light Sport Aircraft Pilot News
newsmagazine. |
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