Q. What is a Light Sport Aircraft (LSA)?

A. LSA are those which comply with the ASTM International standards F 2245-04 and are generally divided into two classes. Special Light Sport Aircraft (SLSA) are produced by a manufacturer for sale to the public. The StingSport is a very complete and well-equipped SLSA, delievered to you ready to fly. All light sport aircraft (LSA) are defined as having:

1) A maximum seating capacity of two occupants.
2) A maximum take-off weight of 1,320 pounds or 1,430 pounds for seaplanes.
3) A maximum stall speed without the use of lift-enhancing devices of 45 knots (Vs).
4) A maximum airspeed in level flight at maximum continuous power of 120 knots (Vh).
5) A single, non-turbine, engine.
6) A fixed or ground adjustable propeller.
7) A fixed landing gear system, or ‘repositionable’ gear for a seaplane.
8) A non-pressurized cockpit.
9) An FAA registration “N-number”

For more information on Light Sport Aircraft, visit the EAA Sport Pilot Web site.

Q. Does the StingSport meet the published Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) rules?

A. Yes, the StingSport meets or exceeds all LSA standards.

Q. Why is the StingSport classified as a sport aircraft?

A. The SLSA certification allows the StingSport to be flown by new sport pilots as well as by current holders of private pilot certificates who have allowed their medical certification to lapse. The sport pilot regulations require only your driver's license as your flight medical certificate. The StingSport may also be flown for credit toward advanced certificates. For more information on the Sport Pilot regulations, visit the EAA Sport Pilot Web site.

Q. Will the Sting be offered as an ELSA kit?

A. The StingSport is available only as a very complete, well-equipped and ready to fly airplane.

Q. Is insurance available for sport pilots and light sport aircraft?

A. Yes, the EAA offers plans to cover sport pilots and light-sport aircraft. Insurance is also available from other sources. For more information, call 866-647-4322 or visit the EAA Sport Pilot Web site.

Q. How do I register my light sport aircraft?

A. Download our pdf on how to register a light sport aircraft by clicking here. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this document. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader, click here to download it for free.

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Q. Where is the StingSport manufactured?

A. The StingSport is manufactured in the Czech Republic by TL-Ultalight,sro, home of the most advanced aircraft designs in Europe. All of these aircraft are accepted by the FAA as a result of existing bilateral airworthiness agreements with the United States. Prior to being packed in the ocean-shipping container, each aircraft is individually inspected and test-flown at the TL-Ultralight factory by trained acceptance test pilots. The US distributor, SportairUSA, LC, checks, reassembles, tests and certifies each airplane upon arrival in the United States.

Q. What is included in the complete aircraft?

A. The standard StingSport is the most complete, best equipped SLSA on the market. Typical and optional features of the airplane are described in the pages of this site titled The Airplane and Options. Perhaps the most important component is the dealer assistance and transition checkout that is included in the purchase price of your aircraft.

Q. Is the safety chute standard?

A. The Ballistic Recovery Parachute System is included in every airplane we deliver. This is the best 'last chance' insurance you can get!

Q. Do the wings fold or are they removable?

A. The wings can be easily removed in less than 15 minutes. However, they are not 'folding' wings so it would be inefficient to remove them for daily trips to the airport.

Q. What are the wings made of and how are they attached?

A. The wings are made of carbon fiber with carbon composite spars designed for ultimate security. The wings lock together through the fuselage, similar to most high performance sailplanes.

Q. What are the covering and finishes?

A. Unlike most composite aircraft, there is no gel-coat finish on the StingSport. Deliberate labor effort forces the resin into the carbon fibers and creates smooth exterior skin surfaces. You may notice a slight indication of the carbon fabric weave under the paint, but you won’t have to carry around 50 pounds of non-structural gel-coating for the life of your aircraft. White is the only background color available. Your basic paint scheme will always begin with white and then your selection of vinyl graphics.

If you want to change your color scheme after a few years, just change it. Our vinyl graphics are easy to add or remove. Don’t see a color scheme you like? Then design your own, submit the design in Corel Draw format, and we will install it for you.

Q. I am very tall/short; Can I configure the plane to fit my personal measurements?

A. Rudder/toe brake adjustments are included for all leg lengths. We have fitted pilots less than 5 feet, and as tall as 6'-4", so the aircraft can be adjusted to a perfect fit. Special orders are available to have your plane custom fitted to your needs.

Q. How much baggage can I carry?

A. Storage capacity is about 60lbs. There is ample space behind the seats in two separate fiberglass compartments. There is additional storage on the turtle deck and map storage areas in the cockpit.

Q. Is there a list of additional items that can be ordered?

A. A specific list of optional equipment is available. The standard airplane is very well equipped and requires no additional options to be ready to fly. Standard equipment and optional equipment for the StingSport are explained in this Web site (see "The Airplane" and "Options" in the navigation panel at the left side of this page).

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Q. Where is the Sirius manufactured?

A. The Sirius is manufactured in the Czech Republic by TL-Ultalight, sro, home of the most advanced aircraft designs in Europe. All of these aircraft are accepted by the FAA as a result of existing bilateral airworthiness agreements with the United States. Prior to being packed in the ocean-shipping container, each aircraft is individually inspected and test-flown at the TL-Ultralight factory by trained acceptance test pilots. The US distributor, SportairUSA, LC, checks, reassembles, tests and certifies each airplane upon arrival in the United States.

Note: This page is Under Construction.

 

Q. What kind of engine do you recommend?

A. We only supply the Rotax 900 series four-cycle engines, the 912ULS 100 HP is standard. These engines have proven themselves to be reliable, with high power to weight ratios and time between overhauls (TBO) that can exceed 1500 hours

Q. How much does the StingSport weigh and how much can it carry in useful load?

A. Basic empty weight is around 780lbs, which varies with optional equipment. If you assume a 780lb empty weight then you will have 520lbs of useful load. Two adults and full fuel would still allow for baggage. Your total useful load will, of course, depend on the actual empty weight of your specific aircraft.

Q. How fast will the StingSport fly?

A. Top horizontal speed at max continuous power (Vh) is restricted to 120 knots due to the FAA LSA regulations. While the aircraft has a design never exceed (Vne) speed of 164 knots the propeller blade pitch is designed to comply with the LSA restrictions. But this little plane is designed for you to enjoy the trip, not hurry to the destination. Stall speed in the landing configuration (Vso) is only 39 knots. Takeoff rotation will occur at about 40 knots.

Q. How do the controls feel?

A. The controls are light and responsive. They have full ball bearing turning blocks and races. Pushrods allow direct control of ailerons and elevator. The controls require the pressure of only two fingers. Once moved to a new bank angle the aircraft will remain stable at that angle even with hands off the controls

Q. How much fuel does it use? What is the fuel capacity?

A. Cruise endurance fuel flow is about 4.5gph, using premium auto fuel. High-speed cruise at low altitude will be about 5gph. With the standard 20.5-gallon tank (usable fuel), you'll have 4 hours of flight time with reserves. We fly 3.5 hour trips at 75% power and top off the tank with less than 15 gallons. If you order the 12-gallon wing tank option the flight time available will be over SEVEN hours. (Way past most pilot bladder limits.)

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Q. Can I buy a Sting now, today?

A. Yes, our aircraft are in stock and new airplanes arrive monthly. Please contact us to ask about aircraft that we currently have available. No other dealership network we know has a larger selection of aircraft available for their customers. Call 1-866-359-7846 today for a demo.

Q. Are there any dealers local to my area?

A. Since our certification we have been adding new dealers every month. We will eventually have dealers located throughout the United States. Please periodically check the dealer location map on our Contact page.

Q. How do I order an aircraft?

A. Contact us. Very well equipped airplanes are available for delivery.

Q. Are there options for financing or joint ownership of a StingSport?

A. Pre-approved financing is available. You should also consider contacting your local lender in order to compare available rates and lending terms for your purchase.

Q. Where can I be trained to operate my StingSport?

A. SportairUSA, LC, provides five hours of StingSport familiarization and flight transition as part of the purchase of a new airplane. You will be taught in accordance with our training syllabus that will cover the following items.

* Prop adjustment * Weight and Balance * Engine Performance * AOA & Performance * Preflight inspection * Starting procedures * Taxi procedures * Normal Takeoff * Short Field Takeoff

* Standard Pattern * Stalls * Approach * Normal Landing * Short Field Landing * Cross Wind Landing * After landing * Postflight briefing * Aircraft Maintenance

Q. Where can I take a demo ride?

A. Contact us to arrange a demonstration.

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