December 2005 -- Headline Archive

NEWS SPECIAL!
FAA SUE GARDNER SPEAKS TO LAMA ACHIEVEMENTS:
Here are some comments from one of the key FAA persons that has been with LAMA and the light aviation community since the beginning of our quest for the sport pilot/light sport aircraft rule.

Sue began coordinating LSA in 2001, and was FAA National Program Manager for Sport Pilot/Light Sport Aircraft until FAA's Marty Weaver was assigned manager in 2004.

"Larry, I personally would like to congratulate you and everyone in LAMA for your efforts and the successes you have achieved this past year. It is all so exciting to watch! You should be very proud of what your members have accomplished under your leadership. You should be very proud of those accomplishments!
It should also be recognized that even though we in the FAA worked very hard to get a rule, without the dedication, leadership, and endless hours of work from the light-sport aviation community and organizations such as yours, this rule would not be a success. That is the true success of this initiative, it shows that when the FAA and industry work in partnership we can accomplish anything and have one success story after another. Thank you for all you have done! Best regards, Sue"

LAMA scores a huge success with AOPA management:

Frederick, Maryland:
AOPA, the world’s largest general aviation pilot organization, featured the introduction of light-sport airplanes to its top management on its web site (http://www.aopa.org/) this week. Coordinated by LAMA and AOPA, the full-day event featured the visit at AOPA headquarters of 11 different new LSA airplanes. Staffers including President Phil Boyer gathered Monday, June 20, for a day of facts and fun in the air. AOPA then summarized the meeting on its web site and provided photos and brief flight reviews of the airplanes the staff flew. AOPA also produced a snappy 3.5-minute downloadable video complete with music, active ramp scenes and highly favorable comments by the staffers. The main web article included a link to our LAMA web site.

Following coordination with AOPA’s Rob Hackman, LAMA board member Dan Johnson briefed the AOPA staff on the background and objectives. After that, it was back to the ramp for more flying, which did not conclude until well after 5 p.m. Most staff people flew more than one aircraft. LSAs available included several slick composites from Europe, one from Australia, and the new American-built incarnation of the Piper J-3, upgraded to front-seat solo flight and a 100-hp O-200 engine.

“Fun…just plain fun,” was one staffer’s comment. Boyer, who flew three LSAs, noted that the famous $150 hamburger just got two-thirds cheaper, and he noted that AOPA has been following closely the development of the standard, three-axis LSA airplanes. He and the others appeared favorably impressed .

LSA Featured at AOPA Expo
AOPA announced that it will set aside a special area for manufacturers’ displays of LSAs at its November 3-5 annual Expo in Tampa, Florida. LAMA was offered booth space at the event, and we intend to be present.
LAMA Finalizes Marketing Agreement with EAA
Oshkosh, WI: As one means of enhancing sales for LAMA members, LAMA has arranged with EAA to provide complimentary one-year or renewal EAA memberships to customers of LAMA suppliers and manufacturer/importers.

EAA has always worked closely with the aviation community, providing to their members a venue at their regional and Oshkosh AirVenture shows for display of aircraft from homebuilts thru warbirds.

EAA continues a long tradition of highlighting key advances in aviation by featuring for AirVenture 2005 a special "Light Sport Aircraft Mall". It will be a place where all the LAMA-members' and others' brand-new light sport aircraft can be displayed, a convenient place where all can go and browse.

"EAA and LAMA share a common goal," said Rick Larson, EAA vice president of marketing, "that everyone who wants to enjoy the world of flight can now easily do so."

"LAMA members are dedicated to bringing aircraft to the marketplace that will allow more people to fulfill their personal dreams of flight," said Larry Burke, President of LAMA

"Joining with EAA in the promotion of light sport aviation is a natural evolution of our long association since the beginnings of LAMA in the 1980s, said Larry,
"for it was the EAA that brought together the light aviation community to create the sport pilot rule and standards."