A Modern LSA That Reminds Us Of Days Gone By

The LSA movement is filled with examples both old and new... but the SAM LSA actually straddles two generations of sport aviation. With classic looks and modern engineering, this diminutive two-seater is aiming to head for production later this year and try to be one of the few successful LSA manufacturers in North America.

The Sam was designed to comply with both LSA - ASTM standards and the Canadian AULA standards. The Sam is a low wing aircraft, utilizing a semi-monocoque structure using a 4130 steel protection cage, covered with an aluminum skin. Designer Thierry Zibi claims that the SAM's  structure is tough and durable -- and is designed to welcome tall persons. The cabin offers comfortable space to accommodate 6'-6'’ pilots in a tandem configuration with the pilot in the front. Tricycle and classical configurations are also available. The aircraft was designed to accept three different wings without any additional airframe modifications, meaning that the engine, fuselage, central wing, empennage and landing gear are common to all 3 versions -- the straight LS, A Cross-country (CC) version and a STOL version.

The SAM LS configuration (one of several envisioned by the company) is expected to be "the most versatile member of the family." SAM has a wingspan of 28.5 ft, a range of 635 miles (at 75% power), with a cruise of 130 mph (again @75% power), using a Rotax engine 912 ULS (100 hp) engine to support SAM's max gross weight of 1320 lbs in LSA configuration or 1232 lbs for AULA.

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