November 2003 -- Headline Archive

LAMA Board Complete:
The LAMA Board is now complete, and is taking a strong leadership position in the light sport/light aviation community. Members are: Larry Burke, President and Chairman of Board; Board: Tom Gunnarson, FAI; Dan Johnson, BRS; Phil Lockwood, Lockwood Supply; Dave Martin, former Editor, KITPLANES; Tom Peghiny, Flightstar/HKS.
(Read more in Newsletter)


LAMA Board Active in Sport Pilot/LSA Work:
All of LAMA's board members have been active in the proposed light-sport aircraft (LSA) standards from the outset. Larry Burke is secretary of the ASTM executive committee and airplane subcommittee. Tom Peghiny is chairman of the airplane subcommittee. Phil Lockwood is membership secretary, and Dan Johnson is chair of the airframe emergency parachutes task group. Dave Martin and Tom Gunnarson are members of several subcommittees and task groups.

Light Sport Aircraft ASTM Committee to Meet in Tampa, FL. 19-21 Nov, 2003:
EAA and FAA Activities:
FAA proposes Make/Model grouping of aircraft for self-endorsement (Read more)
FAA reports on progress of sport pilot/light sport aircraft rule
ASTM Activities:
ASTM to present awards to LSA industry for exemplary service (Read more)
Update on other Subcommittees and Task Groups:
Good Progress on ASTM Light Sport Standards:
Tom Peghiny, Chair of Airplane Subcommittee reported completion of the ASTM QA Standard, and near completion of the Design and Performance Standard. Continuing Airworthiness, Propellor standards are also progressing.
All the airplane standards are expected to be completed in 2004 in time for the release of the new light sport rule.

FAA Releases LSA Rule to DOT:
Marion Blakey, FAA Administrator, announced at EAA AirVenture in Jul 2003, that the FAA has signed and released the proposed LSA Rule to the Department of Transportation (DOT) for their review and sign-off. Ms. Blakey noted that both DOT and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) would review and sign-off on the rule. Once the rule is released by DOT and OMB, a public review and implementation period follows. According to Ms. Blakey it may take from 6 to 12 months for sign off and implementation. An optimistic schedule would have the rule released for implementation by mid-2004 or sooner. It is at this time the light sport industry would have sufficient rule details to begin serious preparations for providing product for light sport aviation.
(Read more)


Most Ready-to-Fly Airplanes are to be Manufactured Out of Country:
A recent industry survey conducted by LAMA has revealed that most of the LSA manufacturers planning to provide ready-to-fly airplanes under the FAA Rule for Sport Pilot/Light Sport Aircraft will be importing these airplanes rather than manufacturing in the US.
Litigation worries and cost of manufacturing in this country were the most cited reasons for importing. (Read more)

LAMA Conducting eMarketing Survey:
LAMA is in the process of emailing light sport aviation information to about 200 training/FBO areas in California as a trial to determine the efficacy of this type of marketing. FBO's responding are being sent a list of LAMA member URLs.

Mike Loehle wins LAMA President's Award for Outstanding Individual:
Mike Loehle, owner of Loehle Aircraft, Wartrace, TN, garnered the most votes this year from his industry peers, and was presented the LAMA President's award by Dave Martin, Editor, KITPLANES Magazine, during the EAA AirVenture in July.