Aeroprakt USA Reintroduces A Long Time European Favorite Into The U.S. Market

Light sport aircraft as defined in the U.S. were not created out of thin air. The concept of a lightweight airplane that could be certificated under different standards and flown by less experienced pilots has been around for a long time in Europe, or in this case, Eastern Europe. The Aeroprakt A22LS is actually a continuation of a long line of popular microlights originally built in the Ukraine.

The origins of the aircraft essentially go back into the mid-1980s where it began as a very lightweight Aeroprakt model A20 that was designed as a primary trainer. Originally equipped with very low horsepower, it proved popular and led to a more advanced version that began setting records in European competitions.

In 1996, the airplane was upgraded with the Rotax 900 series engine. This gave it the potential of being ideal for entry into the U.S. market when the sport pilot rules created the definition and design of the light sport aircraft for sport pilot use in the U.S. Starting in 2008, the aircraft was imported into the United States, but as happened with several of the early light sport imports, the dealership program never matured.

Now, with more than 2,000 A22s in operation around the world, Dennis Long created Aeroprakt USA, and he is starting to deliver airplanes. Long said he had been acquainted with Aeroprakt for years through his early association with the model A20, and worked an agreement with Aeroprakt to import completed airplanes from their Poland based final assembly plant for sale in the U.S.A.

It’s an interesting little airplane because it has a huge cabin that is 50 inches wide, is of all aluminum construction, and can be equipped with either the 80 or 100 hp Rotax 912 engine. It’s claimed the cruise speed is 105 miles per hour and, Long says it has great handling characteristics.

Long told Aero-News that, “Customer support is my main priority. The planes are custom built to customer specifications at a price point way below that ugly 100K mark, and with the best flight qualities/handling of any LSA…even the high priced airplanes.”

Dennis Long will be at Sun ‘n Fun with the Aeroprakt A22LS on display and available for demonstration flights.

(Images provided by Aeroprakt USA)

FMI: www.aeropraktusa.com