Has anyone seen this thing yet? looks like the founder of Dynon decided to start making planes. It looks pretty awesome, and possibly off airport friendly. Seems to have the typical LSA problem of a pitiful useful load, but otherwise it looks impressive for the price!

That looks like a nice airplane! Functional.

I also like that it has an O-200. Not as light as a Rotax, but parts availability/cost should a bit easier.

I have to admire the company for doing something clean sheet in this training category. Lots of good ideas showing in this design. But... For me, the severely compromised legal useful load is largely a result of choosing the O-200D. I know those old motors have lots of fans, but there is no way I can get my 170 lb body in with a 200 lbs student and have enough fuel to do anything meaningful. At 60 lbs less, my Kitfox SLSA works fine, but there are still times I've got to lighten the fuel load to remain legal. Fortunately, when doing backcountry training loops, the turbo Rotax 914 is usually sipping around 4 gph.

I'd love to see Vashon introduce a Rotax option and bring the weight down under 820 lbs (should be possible.) Might cost a little more, but I'd think hard about ordering one to complement the Kitfox in my operation. As it is, I think second Kitfox or a Rans S-21 might be where I'm heading.

True or False, I really don't know. I will just mention that I have heard from a couple of resources that the LSA category will eventually be raised to around 1500 lbs. Hearsay? As anything else in our government, things move very slowly, so I wouldn't hold my breath or bank on this happening soon. If it does happen, I expect some of the manufactures to raise their GW on already built planes. Pipe dream? Possibly.

Anyone notice that the wings have no dihedral?

Always excited to see a new player, but I'm sorry, it reminds me of this:

I like that cantilever wing! Makes me dream of a high wing Van's RV taildragger with a Lyc out front....

Looks like the cabin is extra tall to get head clearance under the spar carry thru

I've been assuming that it is a Malaysian import until just the other day.

Are they going to make one with the extra wheel on the correct end?

It reminds me of a prius. Sorry.

WWhunter wrote:True or False, I really don't know. I will just mention that I have heard from a couple of resources that the LSA category will eventually be raised to around 1500 lbs. ....

The only reason I can imagine they'd change the LSA gross weight is to bring LSA into line with Europe's Very Light Aircraft category.
750 kilos, aka 1650 lbs. Big difference, and I just dont think thats gonna happen.

hotrod180 wrote:

WWhunter wrote:True or False, I really don't know. I will just mention that I have heard from a couple of resources that the LSA category will eventually be raised to around 1500 lbs. ....

The only reason I can imagine they'd change the LSA gross weight is to bring LSA into line with Europe's Very Light Aircraft category.
750 kilos, aka 1650 lbs. Big difference, and I just dont think thats gonna happen.

If there are plans to raise it to 1650, I’d hope that it goes to 1670, which would make a 152 an LSA.

hotrod180 wrote:

WWhunter wrote:True or False, I really don't know. I will just mention that I have heard from a couple of resources that the LSA category will eventually be raised to around 1500 lbs. ....

The only reason I can imagine they'd change the LSA gross weight is to bring LSA into line with Europe's Very Light Aircraft category.
750 kilos, aka 1650 lbs. Big difference, and I just dont think thats gonna happen.

I have my doubts also. I'll just say I heard this from a couple of well respected aircraft designers/manufacturers from 2 entirely different companies. I'm still skeptical, but hope like heck it comes to fruition.

I’ve the opinion the more interest GA can muster the better.
There are planes I like more than others. I’ve bought the ones thru the years that have interested me. Moved on to others when I got bored.
I’ve been lucky enough to fly a handful of planes I’d never spend my money on.
I hope to fly a bunch more.
Maybe new “Prius” looking jobbies will get people excited. Hard to know. I just hope Hey keep them all coming.
Chaz

Jeredp wrote:It reminds me of a prius. Sorry.

So, top rated year after year for reliability, high resale value, lots of room inside, a rabid fan base of satisfied customers, and about the most fuel efficient and low drag design around? Worthy praise indeed!

Prius owner here

I'd bet they sell a fair amount of these, I sure like the wing.

courierguy wrote: ... So, top rated year after year for reliability, high resale value, lots of room inside, a rabid fan base of satisfied customers, and about the most fuel efficient and low drag design around? Worthy praise indeed! ....

Some people might say that about Ercoupes too.

Yeah, if it got ~40 mpg, I'd take two.

I really appreciate what these guys are doing and I hope they have great success. I just have a hard time believing these things are going to be flying off the shelves. Theres a lot of O-200 powered airplanes out there that can be had for well under 30k.

I also don't believe that everyone, myself included, want to fly behind $100,000 worth of glass and electronics. I believe that there’s a lot of us out there that love to fly, just to escape the techy bullshit. When I’m flying with my little boys, it’s all about freedom and adventure. My iphone gets thrown in the glove compartment and my eyes are outside. No tv, no iphone, no computer, just sight, sound, and feel. Not everyone wants to grow up to be a Cirrus pilot.

Zzz wrote:Always excited to see a new player, but I'm sorry, it reminds me of this:

Wow Zane, your kids have such cool toys, or is that one yours?

Kurt

G44 wrote:
Wow Zane, your kids have such cool toys, or is that one yours?

Kurt

The benefit of buying cool toys for your kids... is that you get to play with them after they go to bed.