But Company Still Coming To Lakeland Next week

Light sport aircraft distributor SportAirUSA tells ANN it could have been much, MUCH worse. Two of the company's hangars at the North Little Rock Municipal Airport (KORK) took a direct hit when a small but furious tornado struck on the evening of April 3.

The storm was rated ef1 on the enhanced Fujita scale, with winds of 86 to 110 mph. As ANN has reported, planes at tie downs were upended throughout KORK. Walls were torn out of T-hangars and large commercial hangars alike, including the facility used by EAA Chapter 165. Fortunately, no one was injured.

SportairUSA is the North American distributor of TL-Ultralight Sting and Sirius light sport aircraft. SportairUSA founder Bill Canino was inside one of the company’s hangars adjacent to the damaged area preparing for the trip to Sun ‘n Fun when the storm struck.

"What I’ve always been told, is true," Canino said. "There was the sound of a rushing freight train. Everything in the hangar shook, the ductwork was banging against the metal walls. I thought the building was moving. Then the wind was gone and the rain beat on the roof."

One of the destroyed hangars is missing in action. All that’s left is a concrete slab... shiny and clean as though it were brand new. The other hangar collapsed on a brand new Sting (shown above) and crushed the cabin model that was being prepared forthe upcoming show in Lakeland. Another of the company’s airplanes was wrapped around a nearby light pole.

Although the company’s storage hangars sustained losses, the primary hangar where Sting aircraft are assembled and maintained was not damaged and operations will continue with only minor interruption. The most serious setback was the two-day loss of power, which delayed preparations for this week’s air show in Lakeland, FL.

Despite the storm, SportairUSA will be exhibiting the Sting S3 in the Southeast Exhibit Area at Sun ‘n Fun, in booth SE 020.

FMI: www.sportair.aero, www.sting.aero