FormerHangie
En-Route
I've been looking at the SLSA registration info on Dan Johnson's site:
http://www.bydanjohnson.com/?b=1&m=5
Pretty interesting stuff. It looks like CTLS was the early market leader, along with PiperSport/Czech Sport. Then along came Cessna, who zoomed into second place, then stopped. In the meanwhile, CubCrafters has chugged along and has registered 272 aircraft so far. If things keep going as they are, CubCrafters could very well have the most registrations in a few more years.
There are a number of things that strike me about the SLSA market. The first is the vast number of makers and even bigger number of models. The second is that most of those makers production levels are tiny, at least in the US marketplace. Hopefully they are selling more aircraft in other parts of the world. The last thing that I noticed is that almost 20 percent of total SLSA registrations are for Cub clones.
I think what this market need is a leader. I'm sure many were expecting Cessna to be that leader, but they were not. I've got my hopes up that the RV-12 will be it. One of the things that I think will get this market going is when LSAs become common on rental flight lines, and I think the RV-12 has all the characteristics needed. First, it's metal, which I think is essential for a rental aircraft. Second, it's priced right. Let's face it, some of the European aircraft are going for $150,000. Finally, it's backed by Van's. Even if SLSA production of the aircraft ends, Van's will always be there with any airframe parts needed, since their kit production will continue regardless of the success of the SLSA version.
While I don't think GA flying will every get back to being as popular as it was in the 70's and 80's, having new aircraft to train new pilots should help interest new pilots.
http://www.bydanjohnson.com/?b=1&m=5
Pretty interesting stuff. It looks like CTLS was the early market leader, along with PiperSport/Czech Sport. Then along came Cessna, who zoomed into second place, then stopped. In the meanwhile, CubCrafters has chugged along and has registered 272 aircraft so far. If things keep going as they are, CubCrafters could very well have the most registrations in a few more years.
There are a number of things that strike me about the SLSA market. The first is the vast number of makers and even bigger number of models. The second is that most of those makers production levels are tiny, at least in the US marketplace. Hopefully they are selling more aircraft in other parts of the world. The last thing that I noticed is that almost 20 percent of total SLSA registrations are for Cub clones.
I think what this market need is a leader. I'm sure many were expecting Cessna to be that leader, but they were not. I've got my hopes up that the RV-12 will be it. One of the things that I think will get this market going is when LSAs become common on rental flight lines, and I think the RV-12 has all the characteristics needed. First, it's metal, which I think is essential for a rental aircraft. Second, it's priced right. Let's face it, some of the European aircraft are going for $150,000. Finally, it's backed by Van's. Even if SLSA production of the aircraft ends, Van's will always be there with any airframe parts needed, since their kit production will continue regardless of the success of the SLSA version.
While I don't think GA flying will every get back to being as popular as it was in the 70's and 80's, having new aircraft to train new pilots should help interest new pilots.