T-211 Sky Skooter

Article and Photos by John Ballantyne

The advent of FAA's Light Sport Aircraft has some looking back in time for light, simple to fly aircraft of olden days.  A time-proven, FAA certificated design comes from a well-known aviation designer, John Thorp.

Thorp designed a two-seat, all-metal, low wing aircraft in 1944 named the T-211 "Sky Skooter." By 1945 it had shed the Franklin engine in favor of a 65 hp Lycoming O-145 engine and the FAA bestowed it with Part 23 certification. By 1958 Thorp had a four-seater version now known as the venerable Piper Cherokee, PA-28. Thorp's Sky Skooter even turned twin-engine and became the "Wing Derringer."

Today IndUS Aviation, Inc offers two versions: the T211 (Certificated) and the Sport E. The Sport E is the version of the Thorp T 211 that is offered for the homebuilder to assemble under the Experimental category (51% rule), as well as the upcoming Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) category. The Sport E will be available in three product types depending on customer requirements and market regions: The Sport E / Certified, The Sport E / Experimental and the Sport E / Light Sport Aircraft.

"We are enjoying our re-connection with the recreational aviation market through re-discovery of this venerable design timed with FAA creation of Sport Pilot," says company President and owner, Ram Pattisapu. "We have acquired serial number 1 built in 1946 by John Thorp himself. "It looks and flies great." "We are taking it to all the significant aviation shows," adds Director of Sales and Marketing, Scott Severen. 

FMI www.indusav.com