Light Aircraft Association Flying High
The Light Aircraft
Manufacturers Association (LAMA) announced the expansion of its
board of directors Tuesday from five to seven, with the
appointments of Jack Pelton and Jo Konrad to its board.
Pelton, almost a household name in aviation, is president and
CEO of Cessna Aircraft, which Monday announced its entry into the
LSA market with the Cessna 162 SkyCatcher.
Jo Konrad, president of the German Ultralight Association
(DULV), is a member of the European Aviation Safety Agency MDM 032
working group (aircraft other than complex motor-powered aircraft,
used in non-commercial activities) developing proposals for new
European-wide recreational aviation regulators.
Konrad will head up LAMA's new European office, allowing the
organization to better serve its European members and participate
more closely in European regulatory affairs. Nearly 20 percent of
LAMA's members are located in Europe.
Said LAMA President Tom Gunnarson, "Jack Pelton and Jo Konrad
bring a tremendous amount of experience and knowledge to the LAMA
board that will help further LAMA's growth and influence as the
industry advocate for light aviation."
"Jack's general aviation acumen and Jo's highly-regarded
standing in the European recreational aviation scene will better
serve LAMA members around the globe."
Voluntary Standards, Third-Party Audits
In another area, Gunnarson spoke to
the issue LAMA members' compliance with voluntary third-party
audits, calling it a check of compliance of manufacturing.
Last year LAMA announced an industry-based, voluntary standards
compliance auditing program for LSA manufacturers, providing an
independent third-party review of a manufacturer's documentation
and production procedures.
LSA manufacturers affirm they meet ASTM (American Society for
Testing and Materials) standards for design, performance, testing
and quality assurance for their aircraft production; this voluntary
method is being used instead of the more rigorous and expensive FAA
type- or production-certification.
By conducting an external audit, a manufacturer demonstrates its
commitment to complying with ASTM standards specifically developed
for the FAA Light Sport rule.
"Independent auditing is consistent
with FAA's desire for the light aviation industry to
self-regulate," said Gunnarson. "LAMA provides this service to its
members as a low-cost method to increase the level of safety for
this burgeoning industry."
Audited companies maintain adherence to the ASTM standards and
in the future will label each aircraft produced with a decal
indicating the company's accreditation in the program.
"We're in a position for innovation and expansion of the
marketplace," Gunnarson said. "Members have to be responsible to
monitor themselves and work together."
"This is the beginning of a whole new way of doing business and
how aircraft become certificated."
Dan Johnson, president of the LSA Marketing Group, chairman of
the LAMA board, and membership secretary on the LSA's F.37
Executive Committee for ASTM International, called sport aircraft
the new entry point for aviation.
He also noted that Lakeland will host its first LSA Mall in
2008, featuring 20 to 25 aircraft, one from each company.
Additionally, LSA producers who choose to be clustered together
will be grouped at AOPA's 2007 convention in Connecticut.
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