Largest Showing Yet At LSA Mall; Abundant Sport Pilot Forums

As the EAA's Dick Knapinski told ANN in today's Special Feature aero-cast, EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2006 promises to be the most impressive showing yet for the Sport Pilot movement.

As the event's opening nears, the list of exhibitors in the Light-Sport Aircraft Mall is expanding rapidly on a daily basis. In addition to the featured aircraft, this year's event offers special forums, covering the fundamental topics of the Sport Pilot program.

The Light-Sport Aircraft Mall will showcase dozens of aircraft that sport pilots are eligible to fly, ranging from the new, affordable factory-built LSAs to traditional mainstays in aviation that are now sport pilot eligible. The area will also feature amateur built airplanes and alternative aircraft, such as powered parachutes and weight-shift-controlled craft.

Considering the new price range LSAs represent -- ranging from $50,000 to $100,000 -- and the opportunity it presents, the marketplace is filled with manufacturers and aviation enthusiasts who have been quick to seize Sport Pilot opportunities. EAA stands at the forefront of the Sport Pilot movement, especially at EAA AirVenture 2006.

Manufacturers have already signed up to exhibit at the LSA Mall, and the list grows daily. The following are confirmed exhibitors:

• Just Aircraft, LLC
• FK-Light Planes USA, LLC
• Evektor America
• American Legend Aircraft
• SportAirUSA, LLC
• Sportsplanes.com
• Flightstar, Inc
• Tecnam Aircraft
• Aircraft Manufacturing & Development
• Summit USA/Aircraft Sale and Parts
• Indus Aviation
• Fantasy Air USA
• Lightsportflying.com
• AveoUSA
• Hansen Air Group
• Kappa Aircraft 

"We are very excited about the growing list of exhibitors at the LSA Mall. With EAA's expert knowledge and a solid list of manufacturers, our hope is that everyone walks away with a clear sense of what this new and exciting opportunity can offer them," said Ron Wagner, manager of field relations and coordinator of the LSA Mall.

The LSA Mall, supported by Land Rover, provides a unique opportunity for manufacturers to showcase their new sport pilot aircraft in a prime location on EAA AirVenture Oshkosh grounds, between AeroShell Square and Vintage Aircraft Headquarters. EAA's team of experts in sport pilot and light sport aircraft will be available in the LSA Mall to answer questions. EAA members will also have the chance to obtain official student sport pilot certificates-for free-in Member Village.

FMI: www.sportpilot.org, www.airventure.org