While general aviation struggles to recover, some companies continue to move forward with new products. Enter the PiperSport LSA, the Piper Aircraft, Inc. newest entry into the light sport aircraft business. At the recent Sun 'n Fun event the company began delivering its the new PiperSport LSA aircraft to owners, with serial number 3 finding its way into a training school fleet at First Landings Aviation at the Apopka Airport in Orlando, FL. 13 months ago the Bruei government became the lead investor in Piper, and in return Piper will open its own flight training school in Brunei next year with some 20 aircraft. Part of the Brunei government's motivation was to expand the local aerospace industry and to train more pilots. Why would the Brunei government invest in Piper Aircraft, you might ask? Well, it turns out that the Sultan of Brunei is an experienced pilot who often flies his very own Boeing 747 as one of the world's richest monarchs. Ah, to have a few shekels to spread around, eh? Here is some info on the the PiperSport LSA:

• Gross weigh is 1.320 pounds;
• Useful load is 600 pounds;
• Runs on automotive fuel;
• 30 gallon fuel tank;
• Dynon D100 Flight Display;
• Garmin 495 GPS;
• Garmin SL40 Nav/Com;
• Ameriking ELT;
• PS Engineering PM3000 Intercom.

Piper President & CEO Kevin J. Gould said that “Piper’s heritage dates from what was one of the original ‘LSA’ aircraft of its time: the venerable Piper Cub, 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." As my wife owns a Piper Cub I get to fly from time to time, I wonder if Gould understands that the Cub was a high-wing aircraft. I find it interesting that the pioneering high-wing aircraft manufacturer winds up as the premier low-wing aircraft manufacturer! Hmmmmm..... Until next time keep your wings straight and level Hersch! JetAviator7 You'll be bothered from time to time by storms, fog, snow. When you are, think of those who went through it before you, and say to yourself, 'What they could do, I can do.' — Antoine de Saint Exupéry, 'Wind, Sand, and Stars,' 1939. ps: Don't forget to sign up for our newsletter "All Things Aviation" here!