The StingSport aircraft received its certification as a special light-sport aircraft (S-LSA) on 24 May 2005. Manufactured in the Czech Republic by TL Ultralight, sro, the StingSport is exclusively distributed in North America by SportairUSA, LC from their airport (1M1) facilities in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Constructed of carbon composite, the StingSport is produced at a new factory that TL Ultralight built for the US market. TL Ultralight began series production in 2000 and has delivered over 200 of the Sting aircraft worldwide.
 
Bill Canino of SportairUSA said that the multi-year effort toward certification culminated in the FAA inspection to confirm that the aircraft is airworthy and in compliance with the consensus standards. The Sting has been flying worldwide for several years in many certification jurisdictions, so our job was to refine an already solid product through extensive testing, documentation and implementation of ASTM consensus standards. This marks the successful conclusion of the first phase of our program to bring this new aircraft to our US customers.

"The task of documentation and presentation was actually more work than building an aircraft." said Canino.

During this process we received a tremendous amount of cooperation from the FAA AFS-640 branch, Les Sargent, Edsel Ford and Van Stumpner, as well as support from the Oklahoma City MIDO offices, managed by Jerry Strentz and his staff, especially Mr. Teddy Christy, Aviation Safety Inspector, SW MIDO 41.
 
Thanks to our many customers and dealers for their patience and trust in us during this process, we are delighted to announce that seven other StingSport aircraft are now in the registration and certification process. The StingSport already met stringent European design standards and has established several performance records.

Bill Canino also said "We need to say a special thanks to one of our own, Mr. Tom Peghiny, the owner of Flightstar Aircraft. Without his early efforts as the leader of the ASTM design and performance standards, all of us might still be chasing our dream."

FMI: www.sportair-usa.com