Having missed the sunrise starting time and endured the breakfast shower, I launched into a sky with scattered cumulus (some of which had ambitions of greatness) about 10 a.m. This can save a lot in annual aircraft costs by allowing hangar sharing or trailering. The Panther joins the ranks of other LSAs with folding or removable wings. The instrument panel spoke of the airplaneās simplicity -a single Grand Rapids Technologies Sport EFIS was joined by a small radio and five switches-all that was needed to play gleefully among the clouds. With a pop-riveted airframe, the prototype is powered by a 100-horsepower Corvair engine, modified for aviation use. I had come to Florida to fly their new creation: a CAD-designed, low-wing taildragger that promises to be a fast build to an airplane that should be loads of fun. As the sun broke out from behind the latest lone rain shower, we decided to give it a go-2700 feet should be more than enough to see the little plane airborne. It had rained on and off for a couple of days (typical of Florida in summer), but Dan was confident that the tires of their new single-seat LSA-capable airplane, the Panther, would not sink into the unmowed turf and underlying soil. Sitting in the hangar of Sport Performance Aviation with its principals, Dan and Rachel Weseman, we talked about the condition of the grass runway at their airpark near Jacksonville. Florida in August-hot, steamy, with an atmosphere just waiting to add more humidity.
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