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.

FMI: www.lama.bz, www.astm.org, www.eaa.org, www.bydanjohnson.com