Light Sport Aircraft Review

[Paljoey121]

The Sting Sport is the best GA airplane around. Handles like a dream, 2 seats, no carb heat, no tank transfers, 30 gallons, 110 ground speed, 4.5 gallons per hour, 100LL or 92 mogas, 1 notch and trim take off, 1 notch and trim land. Smile on my 70 year old face, 110 hrs per year recreation, 2 day for annual, parachute, 17 gust. If it is too windy to ride, don't go. Delta takes care of that.

[l3thDisciple]

Have put several hours in a Flight Design CTLS and love that little plane.. But as another person pointed out, if I were to look at purchase price, it would not be something I would look at because it is quite expensive vs a used aircraft that can serve better during more adverse conditions.. I believe the crosswind component for the CTLS is 22 knots, but I may be off a little..

[dltodd1966]

The vast majority of private pilots I know fly alone or with only one pax 99 percent of the time, never above 10K ft, and never at night or in inclement weather. Many of them fret their medical exams as being the end of their dreams, and if you do fail, you can't fly ANYTHING that doesn't have a chainsaw engine until you clear it from your records. I have MS, but I have NO disability (I climbed Mt Ranier last year) but the FAA may SCREW me, so I transitioned to LSA and have no regrets.

[seaplaneguy1]

Have you noticed that they all looked the same. There was not one new idea in the lot... None are useful on a daily basis. None are safe all weather. None can be driven down the road and parked in a garage. None can takeoff and land in 50 ft. None can safely land on snow, water, or really rough fields.

Not much to look at...

[soar8hours]

Very nice planes and video! Check out my Light Sport plane on you tube... just type in NC71845

[TailwheelForrest]

Wow, I have never heard anyone make a compelling argument for a 152 or 172 before. If you have a medical and want to fly a "real" airplane, look at Experimental - Amature Built aircraft. Many meet your requirements and are a whole lot more fun to fly. Even if you want a factory built aircraft, a Stinson is a whole lot more fun to fly than a 172 and I have plenty of hours in both to back up that statement. If you need a nose gear for some reason, try a Tri-pacer; even they are more fun than 172's

[genogeno1234]

I personally feel that flying in a light sport such as the sky arrow 600 is much more rewarding and fun than a cessna 172. Fantastic visibiltiy and responsive controls. It is like the feeling you get on a waverunner versus a pontoon boat. Both are good for what they are intended for. Incidently, a new Cessna 172 is around $270,000, and although you can get away with spending a lot less for a 30 year old plane, you will eventually pay for it in the end

[chronodiver300]

Nothing against light sports, but the acquisition costs many of these would easily allow you to buy, own operate a legitimate 4 seater with 160 horse for years.

[freddytuber]

So what is the right plane for me?

My Requirements (PPL):

1. carry pilot & copilot (weight 2800lbs each)

2. yoke - no stick or side stick, no exception!

3. no climbing in over wing or other acrobatics to get in!

4. high wing with 2 doors and baggage door!

5. tricycle gear with wheel pants!

6. under $50,000 used!

Can anything here compete with a used Cessna 172?

[dvon2005]

First.. go on a diet. 2800 lbs is a bit excessive ; )

Cessna 172 is the best. (but not Light Sport)

[mrk2k4]

With any LSA, you'll need to be very consious of weight with your demands. You could try a CH701. I've seen one modified with dual yokes. Otherwise, for what you want, stick with Private...

[airste172]

Stick with a used 172! You'll get the most for your money and you'll have a real airplane.

After getting my training in 172s and 152s, I tried a Tecnam Eaglet LSA and although I'll admit that I had a few hours of fun flying that thing, I would not even consider an LSA as an aircraft that I'd own.

If you're someone who prefers a moped to a motorcycle, then maybe an LSA is for you, but I'd rather deal with a real plane.

[dalequarmby]

Have you flew with a stick? I was pleasantly surprised when I did.

[airste172]

You obviously need an airplane as opposed to one of these overpriced flying mobility scooters. Unless you can't pass a medical exam, there's no practical reason to consider an LSA and just try finding automotive gasoline (that Rotax specifies) at an airport. You might be willing to lug large gas containers in the car, but what do you do if you need fuel on a trip away from home base???

[haleypinkdogs]

Paradise P-1 is it.

[wickster7]

the icon A5 is an awesome plane...retractable gear, amphibious, folding wings...take a look for that one and i think you'll be impressed.

[airbutz]

the first picture was a BREEZER and the 2nd a EUROFOX.. smile.. you probably gotta change that .. greetings from switzerland..

[freddytuber]

I love buying made in China - US made stuff is usually crap.

[N46547]

Where is the Interplane Skyboy? It has the third or fourth highest number of FAA LSA registrations in the US. There are about 100 Skyboys in the US!

[emforty2]

nice compilation!

most are U.S., Canada, or European made

Cessna Skycatcher will be Made in China!

would you buy a Chevy Corvette Made in China?

[jwboll]

would you buy an eggroll made in U.S.A?

[airste172]

@emforty2 I'm not a lawyer, but I suspect there might be legal advantages to companies like Cessna and Piper in the area of product liability if the aircraft is manufactured abroad by an unrelated factory. The risk in selling these things is the fact that they are intended for pilots who would not be likely to pass a medical exam.

[buschbeer100]

@emforty2 .....yeah I know it sucks. I guess that is what happens when you have an overpopulated country eager to work for pennies on the dollar........you get your job taken from you. Free trade isn't necessarily fair trade.

[lavakava]

@emforty2

would you buy a printer, gun / gun powder made in USA? (printing press, paper, gun powder came from china). would you eat at P.F. Chang (peter furlong chang)?

[lavakava]

@emforty2

stop being so eurocentric. europeans don't give a shit about americans.