Piper’s New Light Sport Aircraft
PacificFlyer | Feb 01, 2010 | Comments 7
Piper Aircraft Co. is jumping into the Light Sport Aircraft market with a low-winged two seater it calls the PiperSport.
This one, unlike Cessna's which is made in China, will come from the Czech Republic and was already being manufactured. It was previously sold as a SportCruiser by Czech Sport Aircraft.
It made its first appearance at the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, Fla. last month where the two companies revealed a licensing agreement. Piper said it will start deliveries in April.
"Piper's heritage dates from what was one of the original 'LSA' aircraft of its time: the venerable Piper Cub," Piper CEO Kevin Gould said. "Consequently, Piper is in many ways returning to a market segment we played an integral role in inventing ... but with all the modern, state-of-the-art elements that our customers expect today, from design and manufacturing to performance, avionics and reliability."
There will be three models; the basic PiperSport ($119,900), training-oriented LT ($129,900) and professional model) LTD ($139,900). All will be powered by the Rotax 912 that will run on premium unleaded mogas or 100LL.
Useful load at the mandated maximum weight of 1,320 pounds is 600 pounds. If the seat and baggage load allow, the tanks will hold 30 gallons and maximum range is 600 nm.
Piper's hope, of course, is that customers who like the PiperSport will eventually move up to the larger, faster and more sophisticated models, which seems to contradict the idea of an LSA in the first place. It was designed as a plane for people who weren't sure they could pass their physicals, weren't interested in learning complicated radio procedures, navigation and night flying.
Nevertheless, "The PiperSport is an amazing entry-level aircraft that will bring new customers into Piper and lead the way for those customers to step up into more sophisticated and higher performance aircraft within our line over time," Gould said.
The PiperSport features a rate of climb of 1,200 feet per minute and is capable of reaching a maximum cruise speed of 138 miles per hour and an altitude of 10,000 feet. The aircraft has a gross weight of 1,320 pounds and 600 pounds of useful load. With the ability to run on automotive fuel, the PiperSport's 30-gallon fuel capacity gives the aircraft a range of 600 nautical miles and the ability to refuel virtually anywhere in the world that offers either 100LL or premium, unleaded automotive fuel.
Each model features leather seats and is equipped with a 100-hp Rotax 912 engine and a BRS complete aircraft parachute recovery system. Each model also features the same gross weight, speed, fuel capacity, and range.
As to specific models, the PiperSport includes:
* Dynon D100 Flight Display
* Garmin 495 GPS
* Garmin SL40 Nav/Com
* Garmin GTX 328 Transponder
* Ameriking ELT
* PS Engineering PM3000 Intercom
In addition the PiperSport LT substitutes the Dynon D120 Engine Monitoring system for the PiperSport's analog display, and the top-of-the-line PiperSport LTD also features the Dynon AP74/HS34 autopilot.
Where is the Jabiru engine? Don't trust Rotax.
Piper Sport’s idea is great. This will give the best result in light sport aircraft market. Light sport aircraft has weight around 700 kg. These aircraft are available at very less price as compared to others. Light sport aircraft are mainly used for adventure flight.
http://www.commercialpilottraining.net/FlightTraining/Light-Sport-Aircraft.htm
Jeremy, You certainly can fly this plane into any airfield you want, provided you are a private pilot or higher, or a sport pilot with a sign-off for class D,C, or B airspace.
wrong engine-period.
The PiperSport seems like a great idea. It offers performance. It already exists. I learned to fly in a J-3 in the early 80s. I loved it, but it isn't practical as a $100 hamburger airplane - you just can't get there from here! Think of the insurance costs for rentals on a tail dragger. No electrical system...
Tuesday I go for a cardiac catheterization. I don't know what the outcome will be, but I'd love to have access to something like the PiperSport if I can't get a new medical. (Not trying to change the subject, I know the rules/etc re: not renewing vs. failing, etc.)
This would be a great trainer and a fun cross-country machine.
Wrong Jeremy!
This is the greatest light plane since the J-3 Cub.
I learned in a J-3 in 1950, have owned 7 small planes and now a Piper Sport. It is more fun than the Cub, has better performance and visibility and is more comfortable.
I strongly suggest you take a demo ride.
Bob Brann
Just what we need, another overpriced, foreign built two seater that can't even fly into a controlled field. Why didn't Piper just bring back the Cub? It would sell like those hotcakes they're always talking about.