www.PSFmagazine.com | January/February 2021 | 19 18 | January/February 2021 | Powered Sport Flying Light Sport Aircraft It was great to see the DirectFly Alto returning to America thanks to a display at Midwest 2020 (photo). We interviewed another operation making the CGS Hawk. Additionally, Airborne trikes made a return thanks to U.S. importer Mike Hudetz; it has been some time since we saw Mike and Airborne at Midwest LSA Expo. I have more to report on all these aircraft; those articles and videos will follow in the weeks ahead. Road Trip Experience I have always flown to Midwest, either in an LSA or by airline. This year my wife, Randee, and I chose to drive, given numerous travel uncertainties. It allowed us to change plans right up until departure time. This method also made for an intriguing study in how America is coping with Covid. Near the freeways, at gas stops or hotels where tourists and travelers were present, masking was nearly universal. Few appeared to ignore store signs demanding a face covering. However, instead of racing up to Mt. Vernon, Illinois, we chose to wander through small towns along the way, for example, taking a tour of the Muscle Shoals, Alabama recording studio that produced dozens of Platinum Records such as Wilson Picket’s “Mustang Sally” and hosted music stars fromThe Rolling Stones to The Allman Brothers to Aretha Franklin. A Tale of Two Countries… as soon as we got a few miles away from the tourist-oriented freeway stops, almost no one wore a mask. Unlike the strangers on the freeway, these people largely know each other. Before someone criticizes, I’m not saying they ignored caution but relied on common sense rules rather than political dictates. You may have a different opinion. Finally, let me offer a personal word of thanks for your faithful visits to my website. Even with the weirdness around the world, 2020 was a record year for ByDanJohnson.com! I appreciate your loyalty and will do my best to keep you informed and smiling. Direct Fly’s Alto returned to Midwest LSA Expo and will soon return to American skies. Below: Dan tries the Merlin on for size. Photo by Randee Laskewitz. Bottom: Michael Hudetz with Airborne's M3-Sport. Photo by Vickie Betts. Support Our Advertisers The New Part 103 List — Current Draft List Shows more Producers… Surprised? A great many of you read my story about the new Part 103 List. Your enthusiasm plus lots of comments reflect the strong interest generated by these lightest, most-affordable, and fun-to-fly aircraft. With input from readers and through more research, I have increased the draft list to the one you see below, now 53 producers strong and counting! Honestly… I expect even more. Many readers were surprised by the number of producers of these aircraft that too many pilots thought were dead and buried by Light Sport Aircraft and faa’s requirement that previous two-seat ultralight trainers had to leave paid flight instruction and become private aircraft. As the list shows — and as my plan to attempt counting the number of aircraft built every year proves —Part 103 Ultralight Vehicles are indeed alive and thriving. Keep Helping, Please! If these aircraft interest you, please review the list and tell me of any additional producers I did not include. I want them all — IF— they meet these four criteria: 1. Current production aircraft only. If an aircraft is not actively being sold today, I will not include it; however, I have listed some ‘in development’ models as they are from known producers who have made Part 103 aircraft before. Multicopter designs will not be included as none have entered the market to-date. 2. An aircraft must be able to qualify for Part 103 according to faa’s Advisory Circular AC-103-7. This can include a kit-built Part 103 aircraft that a buyer may register in Experimental class so long as it can genuinely comply with Part 103 parameters. Part 103 Ultralights built from plans will also be included. 3. Powered, wheeled aircraft in these configurations: fixed wing, weight shift trike, powered parachute, gyroplane, motorglider, or paraglider with wheeled carriage. 4. No one-off, customdesigns or aircraft still in an early development phase. I only want aircraft that a customer can buy for delivery within the next 12 months.
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