Company Plans To Switch To RTF Production Later This Year

What does it really take to meet the ASTM consensus standards for a light-sport aircraft? Robert Gaither, President of Higher Class Aviation, provides some insights.

Higher Class Aviation has been offering the Sport Hornet as the least expensive, ready-to-fly, E-LSA-qualified airplane in the US for almost two years. The company announced in June 2005 it also planned to sell a ready-to-fly, S-LSA variant of the plane, but opted to release the E-LSA model first.

"The E-LSA version allows us to offer this great airplane at a very low price and deliver a product that can be maintained by the owner," Gaither said. "This will change when only the S-LSA version is available."

Production of the E-LSA kit will be discontinued when the S-LSA Sport Hornet comes online later this year, according to Gaither... though he notes the company still plans to offer the lowest priced S-LSA on the market.

"The E-LSA version has turned out to be a great value, but only a few production slots remain that must be filled immediately, in order to deal with expected delays in FAA paperwork," Gaither said. "We plan to be manufacturing only S-LSA versions of the Sport Hornet after October of this year."

Gaither also told ANN of one example of its rigorous testing to meet the ASTM self-certification standards.

"The E-LSA version of the Sport Hornet has always met the ASTM consensus standards, but elements of documentation were not up to what we considered acceptable levels," Gaither said. "We elected to re-do critical testing as a means of ensuring all quality and strength issues are addressed in accordance with ASTM standards. We have toughened up several features in order to significantly exceed minimum requirements. When loaded to the ultimate 6-G limit required by ASTM, the structure deformed but did not fail."

"ASTM standards require that the wing stay together for only a short time frame, the same as FAR standards, at this extraordinary load," he added. "Our structure, however, remained intact and serviceable. Later loading took the wing up to almost 8 Gs prior to structural failure. Our team did a great job and tested not only the wing, but all relevant fuselage structure as well."

Powered by a Rotax 912 mounted in pusher configuration, the aluminum tube-and-Poly Fiber Sport Hornet frame sports a dual-spar wing, that is rated to pull 4 Gs. The aircraft also features air spring suspension on its landing gear, and electric flaps and trim. It may also be equipped with a BRS parachute.

FMI: www.sporthornet.com