Sebring
by Bill Larson





Editor's Note: My buddy, Bill Larson, retired ABC Radio News anchor, writer, actor and space nut, also has a good eye for airplanes. Living in Cocoa Beach, FL, he has a great opportunity to go out where people are doing interesting things all year long...when environmental conditions are suitable (see first graf). His most recent outing was to the Sport Aviation show at Sebring, Florida, where Bill got his first look at the new and lighter light planes that are coming into the market since advent of the new Light Sport Pilot license. As you know, the license is easier to get than a private ticket, allows you to use your driver's license in place of a medical certificate..but comes with restrictions including operation of lighter, two place aircraft only in daylight and at speeds under 120 mph.

The planes are not cheap; most of the new types are in the 80-thousand to 120-thousand dollar range, but that is still about half the cost of their four-place cousins. Many Sport Pilots are seeking less costly Vintage aircraft that also fit the weight limitations.

Although he takes it lightly, I think it got Bill's attention, as you'll see in his latest Letter From Cocoa Beach:




BL: Ah, the Red Tide in Florida. From exactly whence it comes we do not know. But it arrives with a vengeance, killing dolphins, turtles and creatures of the sea. You know it is here when you begin to cough almost uncontrollably. It lingers for a month or more then quietly drifts away leaving the dead from its silent invasion decaying on the beach. Unfortunately, it remains in the human lung much longer. I am still coughing.

Nevertheless, I realized I owe a certain dedication to Jim Slade's Airlines.com. Why? Beats the hell out of me.

In any event, on January 19th I dutifully made the trek to the Sebring Light Sport Air Show. It is truly becoming a major event. Not nearly as large, yet, as Lakeland or Oshkosh, but nearly, and in some ways more, exciting than its big brothers. I say that because it is opening aviation to thousands of future pilots. I am not sure that is either good or bad. There is nothing in the world quite as exhilarating as flight...well...almost nothing. I do, however, have visions of thousands of people with driver's licenses operating aircraft the same way they operate their cars. If that becomes the case, God help us all. But with any luck, the price tags will still keep most of them on the ground, even me...a great benefit to mankind.

But enough of this drivel. Let's go to the pictures. Most of them, just random shots taken by a true and not-so-dedicated amateur.

Welcome to Sebring.




Cirrus has an entry, of course.




Try this for size.

A custom Lopresti design never fails to attract eyeballs. This one isn't LSA, but there's a Lopresti that is. Doesn't matter. They're always a wow!!




The Lopresti panel.




This is a Ramos.




This is a Sigma.

This is ridiculous.
Or maybe not. I wonder if she really flies it?


Maybe Slade will give me a ride in his Light Sport 1946 Ercoupe 415-C.

One can only dream.

See you next time.



Bill Larson
Cocoa Beach, FL.








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