Poll: Which LSA Can Best Save General Aviation? (RV-12 SLSA, CH750 SLSA, Piper Cub)

Just announced: Vans RV-12 SLSA - factory built / ready to fly starting at $105,000

 Today it was announced that Van's Aircraft will be making their 2-seat RV-12 aircraft available as a factory-built and ready-to-fly SLSA with an introductory price of $105,000. The RV-12 has been available as a homebuilt kit aircraft since 2008 with about 200 completed and flying. The RV-12 has a side by side cockpit, all aluminum airframe, tricycle landing gear and is powered by the Rotax 912ULS engine that makes 100hp for takeoff. This smallest RV from the family of wildly popular RV airplanes has a useful load of about 570 pounds and cruises about 120mph. The RV-12 SLSA will be built in the USA by Synergy Air of Eugene, Oregon. Orders are expected to be first be accepted in November 2012 with initial deliveries beginning in early 2013. Get more info on the Van's Aircraft website.

Now available: Tenn-Air CH750 SLSA - factory built / ready to fly starting at $74,900

 Tenn-Air has recently licensed with Zenith Aircraft Company to make a factory-built version of the popular 2-seat Zenith CH750 STOL aircraft available as a ready-to-fly SLSA with an introductory price for $74,900. The CH750 has been available as a homebuilt kit since 2008 with over 50 completed and flying. Over 800 of the smaller but similar CH701 homebuilt have been completed since it was introduced in 1986. The CH750 has a side by side cockpit, all aluminum airframe, tricycle landing gear and is powered by the Jabiru 3300 engine that makes 120hp for takeoff... a combination good for a useful load of about 550 pounds and cruises about 100mph while also offering very strong short takeoff and landing (STOL) performance. The CH750 SLSA will be built from Zenair kits by Tenn-Air in Shelbyville Tennessee, and first deliveries are expected to be available in November or December 2012. Get more info on the Tenn-Air website.

75 years strong: Piper J-3 Cub - rebuilt / ready to fly ('0' time) for ~$50,000 or less

 Production of the 2-seat Piper J-3 Cub ran from 1938 until 1947 with almost 20,000 aircraft being built. Today, a completely restored '0' time J-3 Cub can be bought, ready to fly, for around $50,000, or even less. This iconic aircraft that taught thousands and thousands of people how to fly features tandem seating, steel tube and wood structure with fabric covering, taildragger landing gear and is typically powered by a Continental engine ranging from 65 to 90hp. The Cub has a useful load of about 520 pounds and cruises around 75 mph. Thousands of Cubs are still around today with hundreds of them ripe for being restored to like-new condition (ready to serve as trainers and recreational aircraft indefinitely) all for a $50,000 (or less) investment.

 So there you have it, three aircraft that are somewhat similar yet still very different. And I'm here once again to make the case for the idea that our best step forward to try to save General Aviation is a giant step backward! I believe that the J-3 Cub makes way more sense than an RV-12 or a CH750 as a way to draw more people into aviation. Don't misunderstand, I think those two modern flying machines are both great little airplanes that have a lot to offer. But when the Piper Cub is cheaper to acquire (by far)... as cheap or cheaper to operate... has a longer lifespan... creates better pilots (because it's a taildragger)... and it's about 243% more fun to fly, you have a clear winner here.

 Maybe I'm in the minority, but I also absolutely believe that the Cub has significantly more curb appeal. That curb appeal is really all about passion. Passion for its fabulous style, its perfect nostalgia, and its pure and honest flying pleasure. Spend and hour or two flying over God's green Earth with a good friend and the door open and you'll experience the kind of flying that you'll wish would never ever end.

 My vote in the poll below is going to the '0' time restored Piper Cub as the LSA that has the most to offer in trying to save General Aviation in America. Now if I can just get a group of people together to agree on this so we can start cranking out like-new Cubs from a dedicated restoration facility, we can get a whole new generation of pilots into the sky... affordably, with great stick and rudder skills, and in love with the world's greatest airplane! 

Video: The Synergy Aircraft Revolution Explained By Designer John McGinnis

SynergyAircraft.com
Synergy Aircraft facebook page

 I've had the pleasure of knowing about the Synergy Aircraft project probably long before you knew about it. I've been excited at the possible revolution this unique aircraft has represented from the very first day I learned of the details over three years ago. The man behind the project, John McGinnis, is attempting to take the knowledge base of aerodynamics and move it into an extreme that it's never been to before. Will he actually take us all there? There's no way to know until the prototype flies and we see what it can really do, but if you watch this video captured at one of his forums at Oshkosh 2012, you'll begin to understand several of the methods his Synergy design uses that he believes will open up new levels of efficiency and performance. The brilliance of the concept becomes much easier to see as John explains what's going on with the design.

 Synergy represents more than just an attempt to revolutionize small aircraft design... it's everything that the homebuilt aircraft movement, which began in the 1950's, thrived thru the 1970's and continues yet today, is all about: innovation; big achievement on limited resources; the pursuit of excellence; and above all, the passion to build the best flying machine possible to put people into the sky. With the successful kickstarter.com campaign behind him, John and his small, dedicated crew are moving toward a future of flight that previously we've only been able to dream of.

 I'm very excited to see Synergy take us into the future of high performance flight!

see also: 'Synergy' Aircraft Revealed, Prepares To Lead A Revolution
                   Synergy Aircraft Prototype Construction Update - March 2012

Videos: The Pure Flying Perfection That Is The Piper Cub

 Here are two short-but-sweet videos that give a little peek into the Piper Cub invasion of Oshkosh 2012 that celebrated 75 years of Piper's iconic little airplane. The Cubs had gathered at the Hartford Wisconsin airport (40 miles south of OSH) on Friday and Saturday July 20th and 21st and then made the relatively short trip up to OSH early Sunday morning July 22nd, the day before the world's greatest aviation event began. Both of these videos start at Hartford and end at Oshkosh.

 You might also enjoy seeing my post about the Cubs at Hartford from that Friday: Lots Of Cub Yellow At Hartford Wisconsin For 'Cubs 2 OSH'.

 I still believe that the old, original Piper Cub has more potential to save General Aviation in America than any other aircraft. Having 200 or more rebuilt original Cubs scattered around the nation in an organized effort to make flying both affordable and exciting isn't a new idea to me... I originally posted details of the idea two years ago:  Add 'Cub Training Centers' To Save GA In America (CoolPix & Video) - and I believe in this idea all the more after experiencing the Cub celebration at Oshkosh this year.

 The well-established Cub flight training and rental that's been going on at Hartford for years factors heavily into all this too. I hope to expand on this concept in the next month or two with some great insight into the Hartford airport and how Cub flying there is alive and well. Stay tuned. But for now, enjoy these two EAA videos that show why Cub yellow is just as relevant today as it was in the 1940's : )

Video: Piper Cub - The World's Best Airplane!

Click this Piper Cub screenshot to see an awesome video of aviation perfection 

 I got an email today from a friend with a link to this Piper Cub video from Sleeping Dog Productions... wow, these guys have done a really great job capturing the essence of the Cub. So it was an easy decision to let y'all know about their work. Click either of these two screenshots to go directly to the video on their website. (lots of other great vids there too)

 This video does a lot to help explain the kinds of things I've shared over the last two years about what makes the Cub so special. All of my Cub time is actually in a 90hp Clip Wing version, but everything that makes a full span Cub so fabulous is still there in the short wing conversion... and then some in my estimation.

 Seeing the joy that people experience in the Cub is exactly why I think we need a real Cub revolution in America. We need lots of flight schools all over the country teaching people to fly in simple, cheap-to-operate original J-3 Cubs that cost $50,000 or less, and that's in good enough shape to work their tail off. With super-low operating costs and more smiles-to-the-hour than any Cessna 150 could ever deliver, a Cub revolution could inject the big missing element in modern General Aviation... pure passion for the simple beauty of flight.

 Maybe it's just me, but modern LSA's just can't inspire the same love for flying that a 1940's yellow Cub can. So I'm still hoping someone will spark a nostalgic revolution of authentic Cubs that are affordable, beautiful, and most of all - a perfect joy to fly.

 
Click this Piper Cub screenshot to see an awesome video of aviation perfection
 

Onex Prototype Flies - Reveals V-Dub Paradise!

Previous Onex post:
Can the Onex (1X) From Sonex Save General Aviation In America? 

First flight of the Sonex Aircraft 'Onex' took place on January 27, 2011 (photos: Sonex)

(6 pix and 1 video)

 Looking and feeling like a sport fighter, the Onex single seat VW powered homebuilt prototype made its first flight out of Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin on January 27, 2011. The enthusiastic thumbs up from Sonex CEO, Onex designer, and first-flight test pilot Jeremy Monnett revealed that the initial impressions are already living up to the expectations of many, including me. The little all-aluminum LSA has the added benefit of wings that can be folded very easily to allow for a quick and simple way to store the aircraft in a really small space. In my opinion, the 80hp AeroVee Volkswagen powered Onex ushers in a new world of VW powered paradise for homebuilders. Never before has such a simple, clean and great performing airframe been mated to the simple and efficient VW based engine. I'm predicting a real V-dub paradise with this airplane! Watch the first flight video below and listen to how strong that AeroVee sounds!

  I also made a bold claim that the Onex just might be able to save General Aviation as we seem to be stumbling into an uncertain future for flying in America. Whether this affordable, easy-to-build, VW powered sportster that has great lines can really have a direct impact on the larger world of GA is uncertain, but I can say with a great deal of confidence that this airplane holds greater promise to draw more people into sport flying than anything we've seen a quite a while.

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Can The Right Coat Of Paint Save General Aviation In America?

 A beautiful 1973 Citabria 7ECA with great looking paint  (photo: PopularAviation.com)

 Honestly, I didn't set out to start a series of posts on 'Saving General Aviation', it just sorta happened when I realized that a potentially wildly popular homebuilt airplane like the Onex from Sonex could actually be a catalyst for big time turn-around. As some of the comments from that first post in the new 'Saving GA' category shows, not everyone agrees in the power of a little airplane like that to have any real impact. I understand the skepticism, but I learned to fly back in 1974 when I was 13 in a Citabria very similar to the one above, same paint scheme, but it was red, and was the 150hp 7KCAB. The 70's were a pretty boomin' time for general aviation, so at the very least, I have some history with being a young and very active pilot right in the middle of an exciting time in aviation. I feel like I have a sense for the kinds of things that could bring those days back... and I'm thinking if the Onex can fulfill all its promise, it'll be a part of the solution.

 The more I thought all this thru, the more I let my slightly twisted mind run with possible ideas that could make a difference. That's when I came up with the idea of a nationwide network of 'Cub Training Centers' as an effective way to train loads of new pilots at lower cost. This comes partly from low daily operating costs, but mostly from the low acquisition cost of an old original Cub compared to ANY new airplane. A Type Certificate that was pretty much paid for by the late 1940's means that old Cubs are miles ahead of airplanes that are still on the uphill climb to pay for their development costs. A couple of wonderful by-products of Cub training are: new pilots that can fly a taildragger, which I will always believe makes you a better pilot, and, new pilots who have experienced flight from day-one on the more 'fun' side of the fence.

 But now I'm moving on to 'Saving GA' idea number 3. Are you ready for it? It's paint. Yeah I know, you probably already think I'm crazy, and if you don't, this idea will probably push you over the edge. But I think the right paint jobs could have a huge impact on the public perception of flying, which in turn could draw thousands of new people into aviation. My honest assessment of the paint jobs on the vast majority of general aviation aircraft built today is that they run from uninspired to downright awful. I see a few that rise above this condition, but very few. I realize this is my opinion and you may not agree.

 To me, airplanes that are mostly white with an odd mix of bizarre swooshy lines in boring colors is just not the way to attract people. Especially these days since the people we wanna attract have been heavily exposed to a world that is hardcore driven by high-quality graphic images. From sports teams, to NASCAR, to coffee stores (to whatever you can think of).... marketing with a great graphic image is standard operating procedure these days. Except in the world of factory built aviation. I think this has to change, ASAP! 

 A colorful row of Cessna 195's at Oshkosh 2010  (photo: AirPigz)

 As an example of what I'm talking about, take a look around at any local fly-in, or a mega event like Oshkosh (any event that attracts homebuilt, antique and classic aircraft) - one of the most obvious things you'll notice is a lot of color. Like that Citabria in the top pic, or the classic Cesnna 195's above, most airplanes that are flown by people who really love to fly have a lot more excitement going on with the paint. Coincidence? I don't think so. I think paint that inspires and excites goes hand in hand with a person's desire to fly. Seems like great paint would certainly have the ability to better catch people's attention and ignite a passion for flight that actually leads them to pursuing learning to fly. It sure couldn't hurt.

 It's not just about color tho, it's also about a paint scheme that really compliments the airplane's design. I don't think I'm the only one who would say that most general aviation factory paint schemes are just weird. We need a real revolution in the graphic design concepts that relate to airplanes. I haven't done exhaustive searching on the subject yet, but so far I only find one source for extremely effective paint scheme design, and that's from the Italy-based Aircraft Studio Design. Mirco Pecorari and his team have created some of the most powerful visual enhancements to a wide range of aircraft over the last several years. Their work has been used by many race and airshow aircraft, like Gary Ward's MX2 below, for example. You've probably seen lots of their work and didn't even know it. I'll have a detailed post on that before long.

Stunning paint design on Gary Wards's MX2  (photo: GaryWardAerobatics.com)

 But the point here is that great graphics speak to people. And with the relatively high cost of aviation compared to many other activities, we sure better be offering an experience that keeps you desperately wanting more. I don't claim to have all the answers, but I know we can do much better than we have been. Understand, I'm not suggesting that all general aviation airplanes start looking like that hot MX2 above, as clearly a paint scheme that complex would add noticeably to the cost, but with some serious creative sweat, we can transform the boring paint schemes of most airplanes into sensible, cost-effective 'brand marketing' for the truly amazing world of aviation. I think we desperately need the right coat of paint to help revitalize general aviation in America. 

 As always, I'm interested in your thoughts... I'm pretty sure you have some : )

Add 'Cub Training Centers' To Save GA In America (CoolPix & Video)

(click pic for hi-res)         A perfect Piper Cub at Oshkosh 2010

 I've been spoutin' off about the near-perfection status of the good ole original Piper J-3 Cub for a long time now, but my post the other day about Sonex Aircraft's Onex and how it might be able to fix the desperate condition of General Aviation gave me a chance to suggest something fairly radical. What if we took a giant step backward and made a hardcore effort to put 200 or more original Cubs to work all across America teaching people how to fly? Why would we wanna do this? Well, a fully certified Cub in good condition can be bought for under $40,000, which means you can get about THREE of these antique airplanes for the cost of one of those supposed-to-be-really-affordable LSA's. And while I admit that I haven't flown any of the new LSA aircraft, I do have a lot of time flying a clip-wing Cub around with the window down and the doors open... I know there's no way any of the modern LSA's can be more 'fun' than a Cub.

 In my estimation, the 'fun' factor is essential in getting people into the amazing world of aviation. But we desperately need to find ways to make it more affordable too. The much lower initial investment of the Cub helps right away, and then the daily operating costs should be able to compete directly with an LSA, or maybe even beat it. Possibly most important is the idea that we NEED to make this kind of a solution happen. To me, this means that we need people passionate about flying that will dive in and make this work without the idea that it's all about money. I'm not suggesting they shouldn't make, sure they should! But if making money is priority number 1, then most likely the cost structure will be built in a way that makes it all cost too much. 

 I'm also thinking that we probably need to strategically place these Cub Training Centers at just the right spots around the country to be sure that they have enough activity going on to make the operations profitable. Ultimately, I think we need some benevolent, trusted group of people or organization to oversee this plan. With a bit of centralization, I would think the operations could be streamlined and standardized to make it all work very successfully.

 About now is when some of you are shaking your head at all this crazy dreaming. Well, it is a bit crazy, but it's way past time we get some sort of active 'pilot producing' plan into action. With the buying power of the average American shrinking a lot over the last 10 years and the cost of avgas over $4 a gallon, what are we gonna do? We can give up and watch it all dwindle down to nothing, but you and I both know that's not really an option here. 

 So, the real point to this post is just to soak in a little Piper Cub imagery. The CoolPix pic above should stir up a little passion in you, and the video clip from One Six Right below should really get your grass-roots blood pumping. You can be sure I'll be back on this subject soon with more of my ideas on how to make Cub Training Centers a reality. Til then, feel free to leave a comment... even if you think I'm crazy : )

Can The Onex (1X) From Sonex Save General Aviation In America?

(click pic to enlarge)  
My rendering of a patriotic version of the yet-to-fly single seat Onex from Sonex

(6 pix + 1 video)

 I understand it might be a bit of a stretch for many people to consider that a small single seat VW powered homebuilt airplane might play any part at all in saving General Aviation in America, but at the moment, I can't think of anything more likely. I feel this way for several reasons, starting with the fact that this little sport-pilot compliant airplane, which hasn't even had its first flight yet, is the closest thing I've seen to what I call a 'Grand Slam' homebuilt. If you haven't seen my post from a while back on the Grand Slam homebuilt, here are the 4 parts that make it up:

 1) affordable

 2) great performance but not excessively demanding to fly

 3) relatively and realistically easy to build

 4) electrifying looks

 The one specific point I brought up previously when I mentioned the Onex as a contender for the four-run-homer was whether its looks could be classified as 'electrifying'.  Well, now that I've seen it in person, both at the Open House at their facility at Oshkosh on the day before OSH10 started, and at their booth during Oshkosh, I can say that the Onex definitely looks potentially low-voltage electrfying. True, I wouldn't call it full on electrifying like the 1970's BD-5, but the Onex appears to be so far down the road to fulfilling the other three elements of the grand slam that I gotta think this little cutie is gonna be the closest we've ever been to hitting it out of the park with the bases loaded.

Onex reveal at the Sonex open house on Sunday July 25, 2010

 The basic design philosophy of the Onex is to take all the great simplification ideas that John Monnett and crew have engineered into the Sonex family of airplanes, and apply them to a single seater intended to be as affordable as possible. The best news from my perspective is that the guys didn't make it as absolutely tiny as they could, and they aren't trying to get it to fly on the smallest engine available. You could insert some thoughts on the Moni here if you want to. However, by making the Onex a size that is both roomy and comfortable, and by putting an engine on the nose that they've proven can fly two people around quite nicely in a Sonex or Waiex, they are on the brink of offering an airplane that fits real people and will have some very sharp performance. It was obvious when looking in the cockpit that this little airplane has a lot of room inside.

 The more you study the lines on the airplane, the more you see how everything falls into just the right spot. If you want both simple-to-build and visually pleasing (a real rare combo in homebuilt airplanes), then I think you'll be pleased with the way this airplane looks. And, for those who've struggled a bit with the lines of the Sonex and Waiex airplanes, I think you'll find that the Onex is able to sidestep any weirdness and go straight to the head of the class. First, by being a much narrower fuselage, you don't get that sharp break in the slab sides as they work their way past the cockpit. And second, the cowling has a softer shape in the area where the Sonex cowl can be a little, shall we say, 'different'... plus having the heads of the cylinder banks push out thru the cowling sides not only narrows the cowling a bit, but it's one of the coolest nods to the classic cowl of the J-3 Cub ever!

 After you get past the simple fact that this is a great looking airplane that obviously wouldn't be complex to build, you can move on to some other really cool aspects of the Onex. The folding wings specifically. The idea was to create a folded size that would allow for easy trailering and easy storage in a normal sized garage. With the wings folded, it's just a tad over 8' wide, and it's just under 7' tall. all while still giving the airplane 78 sq ft of wing area total, which is enuf to keep the slow end of the speed range from being too hot. Even cooler than all that is the fact that it literally takes about 5 seconds to fold a wing panel. They've very cleverly designed the mechanism to not require any kind of disconnecting of the control linkages to be able to accomplish the fold. You unlock the wing. You fold the wing up!

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