Lightning light sport aircraft

Arion boss Nick Otterback said, "We flew our new kit the Lightning XS [that] is based on our popular Jabiru powered Lightning kit but with several design changes incorporated." XS has been designed to allow engines up to 160 horsepower. Along with a taller stance on longer gear legs Arion's team can use engines spinning bigger diameter props.

Also standard are 40 gallon fuel tanks and a gross weight of up to 1,650 pounds. N320XS is powered by a Superior XP320 160 horsepower engine similar to the Lycoming design. "The first flight was a kick in the pants for the little bird," said Nick. He indicated that 130 knots came easily at a 2150 rpm throttle setting and that's on an aircraft without fairings, wheels pants, or a clean-up kit.

They are using the carbon ground adjustable prop from Sensenich. "We have yet to tune [the prop] to the plane," suggesting that Arion expects considerably more speed. "With a normal cruise range of 2300-2500 rpm it will be very interesting to see where the XS finally settles in at speed when cleaned up and with a tuned prop." Importantly, Lightning XS opens the door for kit customers who want engine choices and higher performance. "Our standard Lightning LSA-compliant kit with the 120 horsepower Jabiru 3300 remains available and is selling well," Arion reported.

After selling 40 aircraft under the Experimental Amateur Built (EAB) rule, Arion went on to complete their SLSA approval, SLSA #96 Arion Aircraft.

Arion is now the 69th company to enter production of Light-Sport Aircraft. Lightning got its start back when Jabiru-man Pete Krotje, his son Ben, plus Nick Otterback were dealers for the Spanish Esquale. That lead to the lovely low-wing Lightning though the design borrows from several light aircraft.

It may sound like an organic development but the results are definitely worthy. I was highly impressed with a flight in an earlier EAB model, which did not have the speed limitations of LSA. "Extra wing area was added to bring wing loading and stall speeds into compliance with the applicable standards," said Nick.

Arion won approval on April 15, 2009. Arion is organized as a different company from Jabiru USA but it shares some of the same brain trust. "We actually had lots of folks give us input on this design," Pete credited graciously.
Good job, all!

http://www.lightsportaircraftblog.com -Lightning LS2 - Dan Johnson gives us an aircraft review of the Arion Lightning LS 1 lightsport aircraft while at the Midwest LSA Show - Expo held at the Mt. Vernon Airport, Mt. Vernon Illinois. Part 1
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