Herb Hill
Dan Johnson and Robert Wood: Furthering the LSA Cause
Dan Johnson is more than just a contributing writer of articles to Atlantic Flyer. He is the author of other work, and has the website ByDanJohnson.com, which is the leading Light Sport Aircraft site. Furthermore, he has been on the board for six years, chairman for five years, and now president for the last eight years of LAMA (Light Aircraft Manufacturing Association). In a brief telephone interview, he gave us the following information. His background in GA began when his father gave him some incentive for aviation by paying for 10 hours of flying lessons for Dan. When Johnson wanted to get in more time, he says, “My father told me to get a job. I went on, getting my commercial, CFI, etc., but the cost of flying in even just a Champ or Citabria at $15 per hour back then was too high, and I couldn’t continue. Well, along came hang gliding and I put my focus on that for a while, and then moved on to ultralights and after that to Light Sport. The facts are that the spotlight is now on this new segment. Over a number of decades I’ve sampled every aspect of business from operating a flight school to building and selling aircraft, working with AOPA and EAA, and becoming chairman of LAMA . I originally got involved with a hang gliding magazine and writing for as many as 10 different publications monthly right on through today.
“We now have multiple new phenomena going on. Not anywhere else in the world do we see this new situation regarding Certification, whereas previously aircraft had to have government approval. Paul Poberezny and EAA had a groundbreaking experiment with tremendous ideas and experimentation with a variety of activities going back to the 50’s. Prior to their efforts there was relatively little experimentation. It remains tremendously expensive to get aircraft through FAA approval. Now these are all dovetailing. Change became necessary as of 2004 with the FAA announcing the industry will certify the new Light Sport Aircraft, with ASTM standards (ASTM formerly stood for American Society for Testing Material Standards, but is now called ASTM International). To put this in perspective, auto and jet fuel meet ASTM standards worldwide, not a government specification. To write these ASTM standards many people volunteered their efforts. Those are all-over-the-world standards, which people can give input on, analogous to Wikipedia. Even FAA people can serve on ASTM, plus any country in world can adopt ASTM standards. For example, Australia, Columbia, South Africa, have already accepted ASTM standards for certification. “More countries are examining these standards, which can lead to global standards, so if more accept these standards, aircraft can be sold without amassing previous high costs. 97 (now 99) new planes have come from 70 (now 71) manufacturers. Now, too, China and India could join the number of countries accepting this certification method. A most dramatic change in aviation in my lifetime. It’s basically a grand new experiment that continues to unfold, a very exciting development!”
Robert ‘Bob’ Wood brings another correlative dimension to LSA’s growth. Although he gives much credit to Dan Johnson as indicated below, his input brings added impetus: “If you notice our website, (www.sport-aviation-expo.com), or Expo is an outgrowth of the desire for economic development here at Sebring.” It’s worth explaining with information drawn from that website.
Wood is chairman of the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo, to take place on January 21-24, 2010, at Sebring Regional Airport, Sebring, Florida. Cessna Aircraft has agreed to continue main sponsorship of the event. Wood’s comment: “We are thrilled that Cessna has again agreed to be the ‘Presenting Sponsor’…their continued involvement in LSA is of great importance to this community. This is the sixth time (for) the Expo, with continued emphasis Light Sport Aircraft and the Sport Pilot Certificate. As in the past, free educational forums will be arranged by the EAA. Visit the website or us at booth 159 in Building A at Air Venture.”
As Wood also puts it, the Expo “…is the place to see, try, buy and sell Light Sport Aircraft (and) to establish new business relationships” in the process of “…bringing in manufacturers of LSA aircraft and kits, providers of related components, firms providing training and people with possible business interests in this exciting new field.” Everything from hang gliders to gyroplanes will be on hand in addition to electronics and related products, and there’ll be daily demo flights of each aircraft displayed. Furthermore, free EAA provided forums focusing on LSA, the Sport Pilot Certificate and related topics such as training programs and insurance will be presented on a daily basis.
Outside and inside displays are (to be) featured in addition to food booths. Special events including an exhibitor reception and volunteer recognition dinner are scheduled. Others will be announced as they are arranged. Although the website indicates, “This is an exhibitor, visitor and press friendly event. We have worked hard to produce the sort of event that exhibitors and visitors enjoy and have tried to make it very convenient for all,” there is one caveat: No pets will be allowed. Seems it’s an obvious safety factor.
Wood told us, “Our Expo is an outgrowth of the desire for economic development here at Sebring. This led us to hosting an event, which led us to EAA where we had good discussions with Tom Poberezny. He led us to focus on LSA and Sport Pilot. My involvement dates to 2003, when Dan Johnson and others were already deeply involved. “The involvement of Cessna and other large companies has served to advance the LSA movement. I also view the spread of ‘second-tier providers (avionics, radios, electronics, training, maintenance, literature flight schools, insurance, financial companies, shows, etc.) as critical to the future of LSA, and fortunately they have pretty well risen to the challenge. In 2004 we had about 35 exhibitors representing the second tier, in 2009 about 90.
“I base most of my information on what shows up to exhibit here at Sebring, and my involvement at Sun ‘N Fun and AirVenture, and my discussions with the community at these locations. I am certainly not as well versed as Dan, who lives with this activity on a 24/7 basis across the country.” But this writer would add, just as deeply dedicated.
By Herb Hill