Light aviation’s guru blogger Dan Johnson grabbed the opportunity to test fly the newest FAA LSA-approved aircraft, the Aeroprakt A32 Vixxen.
Click the photo above or here to see the article and accompanying video: Dan flies the A32
You can read more – much much more – about all manner of light sport, recreational and ultralight aircraft on Dan’s blog: ByDanJohnson.
Well, at least that one has the flaperons the same colour as the rest of the aircraft. I’m guessing that the only reason that you have not taken over sales in the US is that the factory is already producing as many as they can. Also, thanks for keeping the Australian base price of the A32 below US $135k…
Hi Andrew, I haven’t taken over the US sales because they already have a great exponent in Dennis Long. He’s been flying the length and breadth of the country to promote the aircraft, working like a Trojan in between times to get the A32 accepted by the FAA as an LSA. The US$135k quoted by Dan Johnson is in fact a very highly specified aircraft with a top of the range Dynon HDX SkyView System, autopilot and ballistic parachute to name but three expensive options….although we have a 10% purchase tax (GST) here, the US$135k is a pre-tax price.
I was judging him by his website! I admit that! Having a web presence is so important for marketing, partly because it looks slick and partly because it is of practical value. Maybe I should check out his blog.
I still don’t understand why people keep saying that there are no LSA’s for less than US$100k. Maybe they mean LCD’s and carbon fibre, but there are plenty of bush pilots in the US. I suppose this question would be better directed
USA is a tough market for LSA planes since the place is awash with various cheap ( albeit old) certified planes – it is hard to sell a 100k 100 hp plane that can barely make 100mph when you can get a 150 hp and a larger plane for about 40k.
Of course , you are comparing old vs new but still …
Hi Walter – I think many people are concerned about the high maintenance and running costs of older aircraft, they certainly are in Australia. A typical annual/100 hourly on one of our aircraft should take no longer than 5 hours (costing about A$500 – that’s around US$350-360) plus consumables like oil and filters. They also run engines which use about 15-18 litres (that’s 4-4.5 gallons in USA) of unleaded fuel per hour and use no oil. In Australia, it’s possible to buy an older aircraft in the price range you mention but maintaining and running it will cost a lot more than many LSAs, particularly when you take into account the SIDS maintenance requirements on Cessnas, some Pipers and other GA planes, which can cost a minimum of A$15,000 for compliance. I’ve heard of A$40,000 aircraft needing A$75,000 spending on them just for SIDS compliance.
Well, at least that one has the flaperons the same colour as the rest of the aircraft. I’m guessing that the only reason that you have not taken over sales in the US is that the factory is already producing as many as they can.
One of the US aviation mags rabbits on about no LSA aircraft being below $100K and go on about how great/reasonable that new LSA is,the Vashon, the one with the same load capacity as a sky catcher. (I can’t remember how it compares to a Brumby, cost, room and load-wise. The Brumby is preferred by those who want to sit higher and have to contort themselves less, I am told.) If someone can explain what is going on with this, then I am all ears. I have no clue.