Gliding Into The Future On Electric Power?

Here’s a video that shows you that affordable recreational flying is not down for the count. While at the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo 2016, ANN CEO and Editor-In-Chief, Jim Campbell, visits with Chip Irwin, the owner of Aero Marine LSA. This year, Aero Marine was at the Expo with its new single-place LSA, but they also produce what looks like a great little FAR 103 legal ultralight called the Zigolo.

The Zigolo is a classic looking ultralight, but Erwin explains that it’s more like a powered glider than an ultralight. That is, he says, it can be flown with power to an appropriate altitude and then the engine can be switched off, and it becomes a good glider. The version of the Zigolo shown in the video has a gasoline engine, but electric power is on the way.

Irwin points out the advantage of simply turning on a switch and using electric power to climb, and then switching it off for gliding. Restarting the motor is as simple as turning a rheostat to bring the power back on. With this little airplane, you’ll see that innovation is alive, and ultralights have not gone west. 

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