EAA "Sport Aviation" Articles

There are two soaring related articles in the July issue of EAA "Sport
Aviation". Good to see this type of press in a widely read aviation
magazine.

The first article (by Jim Busha of Austin MN) was about the all metal
light sport Zenos which has a 45 foot (13.7m) wings. 24:1 glider
ratio. Kit cost $20K (without the engine I assume). Anyway, the
article has some nice quotes like "It is so nice and quite up
there...you start hunting for thermals that will keep you flying for
hours..." and "One of the best days...found a thermal that was like an
express elevator...took me up past 8,000...only used enough fuel for
my initial climb to 2,800".

The second article (by Roger Tanner Mountain Valley, CA) is also about
the Zenos. "The Zenos is unique and versitile...qualifies as a
LSA...no medical needed...not restricted to 10K or 120 kts" and "No
matter what you love to fly, I suggest you consider getting your
glider rating or at least take a few hours of dual in a glider.
Learning to fly gliders will teach you some new skills such as
formation flyingand energy management and will make you much more
aware of small atmospheric changes that creat life and sink. For pure
flying enjoyment there is probably nothing better than flying the
entire afternoon covering hundres of miles in a glider...I guarantee
that you will find flying gliders challenging and rewarding."

Cool!

- John DeRosa

ContestID67 wrote:
There are two soaring related articles in the July issue of EAA "Sport
Aviation". Good to see this type of press in a widely read aviation
magazine.

The first article (by Jim Busha of Austin MN) was about the all metal
light sport Zenos which has a 45 foot (13.7m) wings. 24:1 glider
ratio. Kit cost $20K (without the engine I assume).

Not intended to be a spelling cop, since I have trouble spelling, but it is
spelled "Xenos" not "Zenos." That helps in finding their web site:

http://www.sonexaircraft.com/aircraft/xenos.html

Also note that they estimate total cost with an engine to be ~US$32k with
an AeroVee engine or ~US$44k with a Jab 3300:

http://www.sonexaircraft.com/kits/pricing.html