Each year the staff of the Aero-News Network attempts to name
those aircraft that distinguish themselves in the previous year.
This year, like previous years, has been a difficult one to judge
from the standpoint of determining what we like to call the "Best
of the Breed."
The general aviation industry, after
several years of somewhat revolutionary updates, is settling into a
more evolutionary path at the moment... one that eschews truly
monumental upgrades, but still manages to demonstrate exciting
progress and better products from year to year. And, as each of
these products evolves and becomes better from year to year, it
sure as hell makes our task a whole lot more difficult in
trying to distinguish one truly outstanding aircraft from another.
2006 represents the most difficult year we have encountered in
attempting to not only name the best Plane Of The Year, but the
best plane in a number of pivotal categories.
As a matter of fact, it strikes us that naming an overall "best"
aircraft across the entire spectrum of general aviation is probably
no longer reasonable. There are simply too many aircraft that have
distinguished themselves in too many outstanding ways for one to
truly be called better than the other on an overall basis. One
man's perfect high-speed Hot-Rod, for instance, becomes the
expensive "way too hot to handle" mistake of another pilot whose
mission requirements may differ markedly. So... we're going to cop
out -- just a bit, mind you. We will name the best aircraft in
individual categories, and reserve the right in the future to
whittle down those categories as necessary. But, the fact of the
matter is that no one airplane is all things to all pilots, and
within the spectrum that we have decided on, these are the aircraft
selections that truly impressed us in each of five categories.
- GA Piston Single
- GA Piston Twin
- SA Experimental Kit
- E-LSA Kit
- S-LSA RTF (Ready To Fly)
Let me also note that while aircraft that previously were named
Best Of Breed in any category, or overall, are eligible for
inclusion in this year's list, we have decided to make it more
difficult (in our judging protocols) for a previous winner to take
the top spot in our judging criteria, so that a repeat winner truly
earns the distinction. Please also note that there are a number of
new categories under consideration, covering other aspects of
aviation, included the BizAv segment, but that we're going to wait
until 2007 before we add those aircraft our annual judging
criteria.
Herewith, our final selections for the category of S-LSA
RTF...
CubCrafters CC11-100 Sport Cub
In the ready-to-fly sweepstakes-LSA category, fewer aircraft
were as immediately recognizable as the CubCrafters Sport Cub. It's
no secret to anyone from whence the heritage of this proud bird
derives, but there's a reason the Cubs have survived and why
well-built and well-maintained 40 and 50-year-old Cubs still
command a pretty penny.
One of the true wizards of the Piper Cub repair and retrofit
community has been a company called CubCrafters. What they don't
know about Cubs is probably only known by William T. Piper himself.
When they decided to pursue the LSA program with a new generation
of Cub designs, they were well aware that they had to do something
more than just play "Copy-Cub".
The result is a very tight, very well designed, and truly
delightful modern iteration of one of the most beloved aircraft in
the history of aviation. Supported by a company who knows Cubs like
few others, and produced with an exquisite attention to detail, the
Sport Cub gave us one of our favorite rides in all of 2006. The
Continental O-200 powered Sport Cub climbs at 800 foot per minute,
cruises at 105 mph, and can land and take off in under 300
feet.
Yes, we wish it was less expensive, but the $99,500 pricing is
in line with what the rest of the LSA community is currently asking
for ready to fly airframes, and the workmanship and specifications
of this aircraft truly make it an aircraft worthy of your
consideration... and an easy choice for consideration on our
best-of-breed list.
Evektor SportStar
I admit it... sometimes I get a bit jaded when I see a number of
new aircraft come onto the scene looking kinda like a lot of
the other new aircraft that preceded it. Regardless of that, we try
to give each aircraft its fair share of attention, because if we
don't, we may come perilously close to missing out on a great
little aircraft.
Such was the case last year when instead of running off to lunch
with the ANN gang, I took a moment to take a flight in the Evektor
SportStar, a cute little little low-wing Rotax powered two-seater
that (frankly) looks like a lot of the other European aircraft that
are coming onto the sport pilot-frenzied market.
The Evektor SportStar gave me an interesting ride. Due to the
confines of a very tight pattern, I was required to fly the
aircraft in a fairly aggressive manner right from takeoff through
first touchdown, without the benefit of any time in type. Under
most circumstances, that's just an inconvenience, because few of
these aircraft fly poorly and most fly fairly conventionally --
what I was unprepared for was just how delightfully harmonized this
aircraft presented itself.
The Evektor SportStar has outstanding control harmonies,
excellent manners, an uncompromising stability and control profile,
tremendous performance for such a small package, and is a
delightful ride. You've got to like that. I did.
The Evektor SportStar cruises at 110 knots, stalls at 39 knots,
climbs at 840 feet per minute, and can take off and land in under
600 feet. And as to the last, after negotiating a tight turn to
final at Sebring, at low altitude, I can tell you that the 600 foot
landing requirement is vastly overstated. Nicely done. The Evektor
SportStar is available for $96,500.
Flight Design CT
The Flight Design CT is a previous winner in its category on
ANN's best-of-breed list. That should make it more difficult for
this aircraft to be included in this list, much less be in
contention for a top spot. However, the lavishly engineered, and
exquisitely crafted Flight Design CT virtually stands alone in its
category.
One of the prettiest constructs in the LSA universe, the $92,900
Flight Design CT is a masterful representation of modern
aerodynamic engineering... inside and outside. CT stands for
Composite-Technology, a hint that the carbon fiber and Kevlar
composite airframe allows for a very strong, light and
aerodynamically clean design. The unique fuselage design of the CT
minimizes drag and maximizes interior room for you and your
luggage. The attention to detail and the cleanliness of the
airframe allows for previously unheard of cruising speeds and range
in this category of aircraft.
This bird has more curves than a Playboy centerfold (and will
certainly be far cheaper to maintain…). Manufacturer Flight
Designs boasts that the CT is built using over 90% carbon fiber and
Kevlar composites in order to provide "superior pilot and passenger
protection." Safety appears to be a major issue here in that
four-point safety harnesses, and fuel tanks in the wings (not in
the cabin) are standard features. BRS parachute systems are offered
as options.
A 49 inch wide cabin means that real live people can sit side by
side without worrying about having to skip meals in order to fit
within. With a Rotax 912 (or the optional 912S), the CT is a solid
112 knot cruiser, boasts a 960 fpm climb and weighs (empty) only
659 pounds. Before you ask about sport pilot (no matter what form
of the religion you presently worship), please note that the bird
has a gross weight of 1320 pounds. It stalls at 39 knots (thanks to
slotted flaps) and requires just under 300 feet for takeoff.
One of the main reasons we like this bird is the talent behind
it -- especially here in the good ol' USA. Distributed and
supported by Tom Peghiny's FlightStar/Flight Design USA
operation... which is a class act in more ways than one (the fixed
wing LSA ASTM project was led, ably, by Peghiny over several
tireless years).
Be sure to check back with us in a few days to see which of
these aircraft earned Top Honors as the "Best of the Breed" in this
category!
ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (04.15.24)
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