A General Aviation Dynasty Continues To Grow (Part 3)

There are few families so uniquely identified with the world of general aviation as is the Lopresti clan. For those not familiar with the LoPresti legacy, the patriarch of the brood, Roy Lopresti, was the prolific and innovative aircraft designer was the creative force behind the Grumman Tiger, Cheetah, Cougar and the Mooney 201, 232, 252 and 301.

Oh, and also NASA's Lunar Lander. What you might (NOT) call an underachiever...

David Lopresti recently talked with Aero-TV about his family... and especially of his Dad. LeRoy "Roy" LoPresti did so much during his lifetime... a legacy now carried on by his family.

For more than three decades, Roy was the reigning prince of light aircraft design, putting his stamp on some of the most well-known aircraft in the world and his last, unfinished, work is finally about to see production. LeRoy designed the FURY after modeling the bird on the much lauded Globe Swift, while his sons continue his legacy and the brand LoPresti.

The LoPresti family has been in business in Vero Beach, Florida since 1987. In addition to the Fury aircraft, the family has a variety of high performance STC’s for aircraft including, Hawker jets, Bell helicopters, Mooney, Grumman and Piper piston and piston aircraft. Their designs and manufactured modifications dramatically improve the safety and performance of all types of aircraft. LoPresti Aviation offers industry upgrades through dozens of Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs), Parts Manufacturing Authorizations (PMAs), Patents and Copyrights.

With certifications on over 220 different models, providing for over 72,000 aircraft, LoPresti claims industry leadership in HID lighting for aviation and has installed thousands of aftermarket kits. There are now six divisions within the company: Aerodrome, Fleet Ops, Engineering, Fury, SkyStruck and SpeedMerchants.

In 1991, Roy formed LoPresti Speed Merchants, then located it in Vero Beach, Florida. Now with more than 40 Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) and Parts Manufacturing Authorizations (PMAs), plus patents and copyrights, LoPresti Aviation and Florida's Sebastian Municipal Airport (X26) broke ground on a new $1.4 million hangar on July 19, 2008, marking the beginning of a 15-year lease agreement.

The LoPresti team has moved into part of the airport administration building and expects to complete a move into the hangar facility soon after. The remaining divisions will continue operation in Vero Beach, FL.

Aero-TV Interviews David Lopresti About Subjects Near (And Dear) To His Heart (Part 3) 

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