www.PSFmagazine.com | December 2018 - January 2019 | 17 16 | December 2018 - January 2019 | Powered Sport Flying DeLand 2018 Aeromarine-LSA's Merlin PSA using the single place aircraft for some government duties and these activities are keeping the Florida businessman on the move, literally, and from a business evaluation. We shot a video with Jay Kurtz of South Lakeland Airport (which many Sun ‘n Fun attendees know very well). After building 40 (yes, 40!) aircraft, his most recent project has been the Quick-Build Merlin. After just a single day, I’m excited to see what happens in two more days of the DeLand Showcase 2018. Day Two …the Good Times Continue At a reception ending Day Two, DeLand Showcase Director Jana Filip reported that front gate receipts were greater on Thursday than either Thursday of the two prior years of the Showcase. Then she announced Friday’s gate was greater than the two previous Fridays. DeLand Showcase 2018 is the third running of the event. Showers rolled in threatening Showcase’s perfect weather record, although the rain didn’t start until exhibitors and sponsors had gathered in the main show center tent. Under shelter, live music was presented by the Flying Musicians Association, lead by professional music man Gary Filip. A beautiful 2013 SportStar Max brokered by Evektor dealer Dreams Come True. Used aircraft sales are a growing part of their enterprise. A catered dinner fed the group and as the evening concluded, the rain died off as if on cue. A couple of tents were damaged by strong winds, including one in the Dreams Come True booth of Steve and Debbie Minnich and an eaa Chapter food tent. No airplane damage was reported. On the final day we hope to capture several Video Pilot Reports (vprs) as we are scheduled to fly Jabiru‘s new J-230D, the SeaMax lsa seaplane, the 912iS-powered Aeropilot L600, and M-Squared’s CH750 Cruzer. VPRs require more than two hours each to mount and later demount multiple cameras inside and out, fly for 45 minutes to an hour examining multiple characteristics of each airplane, followed by a stand-up review of the aircraft. We will work as hard as possible to get all four done in the remaining day. (Then the true time-consuming job of editing begins for YouTube Ultralight News publisher, Videoman Dave.) 2018 Results Keep Adding Up Yesterday I heard from several companies giving satisfactory results for their sales this year. Perhaps encouraged by a buoyant economy, pilots are choosing new lsa but in parallel more importers and manufacturers are helping to move used lsa. The fleet has grown enough to generate a good supply of low-time, desirable Light Sport Aircraft. Any representatives looking to sell new machines can boost their enterprise by also facilitating the sale of used aircraft. In either new or used transactions, pilots win as they can acquire aircraft that interest them. It’s all good and 2018 is proving to be a respectable year. Seamax is another company pleased with their U.S. developments. We interviewed lead designer and business owner Miguel Rosario to find his lightest-of-the-lsaseaplane-fleet Seamax is developing their business on the campus of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. With care and long experience, Miguel has built an active enterprise that has supplied more than 150 aircraft around the globe with about 10% flying in the usa. That number is sure to grow with the Brazilian company’s American operation, an excellent price point among lsa seaplanes, and sprightly performance. SuperPetrel reports delivery of eight units in the last year after establishing their U.S. base. Global sales over many years are now approaching serial number 400 according to representatives from the Ormond Beach, Florida enterprise of Brazilian investors associated with Scoda Aeronautica. This seaplane maker is also growing its installed base in America for this long-established design that was thoroughly updated when Scoda (formerly Edra) Aeronautica took over Super Petrel. An faa audit proved the quality of their work as they earned slsa credentials. Inside the vendor tent, we did an interview with Sensenich president Don Rowell. The very popular maker of wood, metal, and composite props reported strong business that is challenging the company to keep propellers in stock. To address the demand, Sensenich is expanding and bringing new cnc equipment on line. As with yesterday’s report, this is not an exhaustive review of each exhibiting company. Yet the sum of reports from company after company reinforces the view that 2018 qualifies as a solid year. I see the happy smiles of new pilot owners on the field. A Wrap after a Strong Third Day with Plenty of Flying A front was set to pass during the night and weather already looked much improved for the third and final day on Saturday so I’d still judge DeLand’s weather to be an unblemished record even if blustery winds on Friday slowed flying activities. DeLand Showcase 2018 is wrapping up, which signals that the airshow season is over for this calendar year. At the end, many concluded the showwas good for customers and vendors. Pilots placed orders for new aircraft and left with smiles on their faces; I spoke to a few of them. Many of you also said hello during the event; that’s always fun. Despite my positive words, some feel these “regional shows” aren’t as meaningful as the large shows. Is that right or not? It depends on the observer to some extent. I venture to say that if you could evaluate orders placed with cash and create a ratio of those people compared to the number of persons coming in the gate, DeLand (or the other lsa- and light kit-specific shows) would smoke all others. No question the big shows with their thick crowds satisfy the soul of attendees and vendors alike. However, the vast majority of all attendees walk right by most aircraft or product displays en route to their main interest; many will never even take note of a given airplane or accessory item; and a vanishingly small share of those big attendance numbers become buyers. Conversely, sector-specific shows attract a high percentage of interested pilots so events like DeLand and the others can continue to deliver despite their much smaller gate counts. I unscientifically surveyed sellers about business conducted at the show. I’d love to know what each attendee thought but time is insufficient to talk to many people to survey so I go the business route. I talked to at least five vendors that reported 1-3 sales — signified by cash changing hands — at DeLand. Several others reported gathering some good prospects. A few inside tent people said they sold enough to pay their costs and considered their participation a net benefit, a form of advertising. On the customer side, I did speak with a number of pilots who did one thing you cannot do online or via magazines: they tried on various lsa to see if they fit. Another activity
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