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04/20/07 - NEWS FROM EAA AT AERO 2007
After attending the first two days of this week’s Sun ’n Fun Fly-In at Lakeland, Florida, Mary Jones, editor of EAA Sport Pilot & Light Sport Aircraft Magazine, continued her whirlwind journey across the Atlantic to AERO 2007, the largest European exposition for general aviation, held in Friedrichshafen, Germany. She filed this report on the event’s first two days.
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Greetings from the Messe in Friedrichshafen, Germany, where EAA has joined American and European aviation manufacturers and suppliers to participate at AERO 2007.
This year, AERO 2007 is highlighting very light jets along with light sport aircraft. Most international general aviation manufacturers, including Cessna, Diamond Aircraft, Cirrus, and more, are represented along with their European counterparts. Just like at Sun ’n Fun and EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, AERO is the place to introduce new products. On Thursday, opening day, Cirrus Design launched its new G3 to the European market, just as it had done to the American market on Tuesday at Sun ‘n Fun.
In the light-sport arena, TL Ultralight, manufacturer of the StingSport, unveiled its newest aircraft, the Sirius, a high-wing, side-by-side aircraft destined for the LSA market. Initial flight-testing of the aircraft powered with a Rotax 912S is underway. The company expects to begin production in January 2008. Most European LSA manufacturers are represented as well.
EAA president Tom Poberezny and his wife, Sharon, arrived at AERO on Friday, April 20, and later that day Tom participated in a press conference with Tom Gunnarson of the Light Aircraft Manufacturing Association (LAMA). LAMA announced its LSA audit program, which confirms a company’s compliance with the ASTM consensus standards and validates it for a two-year period. Gunnarson encouraged manufacturers to participate in the program, stating, “There is a good incentive for the industry to make sure this is a strong program.” He then awarded certificates of approval to three European manufacturers: Flight Design, manufacturer of the CT; AeroPro, manufacturer of the Eurofox; and Jihlavan Aircraft, manufacturer of the Kappa KP-5. The manufacturers applauded LAMAs leadership in developing the program. Mateus Betsch of Flight Design said LAMA’s action makes it possible for a manufacturer to show compliance at a reasonable price. Others called it a dynamic program that will be good for the European as well the American market.
Tom Poberezny also praised LAMA, calling the audit program another step forward in creating a vital LSA industry. “This is what EAA envisioned 13 years ago when it began supporting development of the sport pilot/light-sport aircraft rule,” he said. “LAMA’s audit program brings the credibility needed to show consumers that the products this industry produces meet a respected standard. This is an important component in the maturation of the industry.”
European visitors have been expressing their delight at EAA’s presence at AERO, with many members telling EAA’s booth volunteers, “We’ll see you at AirVenture.” Peter Raab, a 22-year EAA member from Frankfurt, Germany, is volunteering at the booth and assisting with German/English translation. Raab is a chef for LSG Sky Chefs, Lufthansa’s catering service, and arranged for the donation of several delicious desserts and beverages for a reception being hosted by Flying Pages magazine, which has generously shared its exhibit space with EAA.
AERO runs through 4 p.m. Sunday, April 22. Visit www.aero-friedrichshafen.com for more information.
Longtime EAAer Peter Raab of Frankfurt (left) is
volunteering at EAA’s AERO exhibit and assisting
with German/English translation.
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Raab, who works for LSG Sky Chefs, with desserts
and beverages donated for a reception hosted by
Flying Pages magazine. EAA thanks Flying Pages
for generously sharing its exhibit space at AERO 2007.
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Sharon Poberezny visits with Dutch journalist Nathalie
Chudiak, explaining how to register for press credentials
for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2007.
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Tom Poberezny congratulates Tom Gunnarson
on the new LAMA LSA audit program.
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Mateus Betcsch (left) of Flight Design receives
congratulations from Tom Poberezny for receiving
LAMA audit approval of the CT LSA.
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Tom Gunnarson (far left) and Tom Poberezny (far right)
appear with representatives of the companies that
received LAMA audit approval.
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