There are few families so uniquely identified with the world of
general aviation as is the Lopresti clan. For those not familiar
with the LoPresti legacy, the patriarch of the brood, Roy Lopresti,
was the prolific and innovative aircraft designer was the creative
force behind the Grumman Tiger, Cheetah, Cougar and the Mooney 201,
232, 252 and 301. Oh, and also NASA's Lunar Lander. What you might
(NOT) call an underachiever...
David Lopresti recently talked with Aero-TV about his family...
and especially of his Dad. LeRoy "Roy" LoPresti did so much during
his lifetime... a legacy now carried on by his family. For more
than three decades, Roy was the reigning prince of light aircraft
design, putting his stamp on some of the most well-known aircraft
in the world and his last, unfinished, work is finally about to see
production. LeRoy designed the FURY after modeling the bird on the
much lauded Globe Swift, while his sons continue his legacy and the
brand LoPresti.
The LoPresti family has been in business in Vero Beach, Florida
since 1987. In addition to the Fury aircraft, the family has a
variety of high performance STC’s for aircraft including,
Hawker jets, Bell helicopters, Mooney, Grumman and Piper piston and
piston aircraft. Their designs and manufactured modifications
dramatically improve the safety and performance of all types of
aircraft. LoPresti Aviation offers industry upgrades through dozens
of Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs), Parts Manufacturing
Authorizations (PMAs), Patents and Copyrights.
With certifications on over 220 different models, providing for
over 72,000 aircraft, LoPresti claims industry leadership in HID
lighting for aviation and has installed thousands of aftermarket
kits. There are now six divisions within the company: Aerodrome,
Fleet Ops, Engineering, Fury, SkyStruck and SpeedMerchants.
In 1991, Roy formed LoPresti Speed Merchants, then located it in
Vero Beach, Florida. Now with more than 40 Supplemental Type
Certificates (STCs) and Parts Manufacturing Authorizations (PMAs),
plus patents and copyrights, LoPresti Aviation and Florida's
Sebastian Municipal Airport (X26) broke ground on a new $1.4
million hangar on July 19, 2008, marking the beginning of a 15-year
lease agreement.
The LoPresti team has moved into part of the airport
administration building and expects to complete a move into the
hangar facility soon after. The remaining divisions will continue
operation in Vero Beach, FL.