Arion LS-1 Lightning

[AirBoss52]

The only thing I miss are the back seats. Speed is actually better, climb is much faster on half the fuel burn. My annual was less expensive, since I could source all the consumables at NAPA. Obviously, I love to fly the Lightning. Stalls are predictable and benign and she tracks well, even in turbulence. Training (absolutely vital) shows you that landings are all about speed control on final. It should be held at 60 kts., with an intended touchdown speed just over 50. Too high and she’ll either float for a long way, or with that much residual energy, you’ll get a bounce and she’ll just go back to flying again. The main gear is somewhat compliant, but you learn to carry the nose gear for a while until the speed bleeds to under 40. Transition from the Cardinal and “Land-a-Matic” gear made me a MUCH better pilot. Hearing the mains squeak on always brings that “Lightning smile”

And for those interested, the photo that Jfly67 posted was not an LS-1. That airframe is for an experimental with a much larger engine/prop combination, and requires a higher stance.

[designrs]

Last fall, I found an incredible, low time, well maintained LS-1 S-LSA. The price was right, and I took ownership. The previous owner ferried her to Shelbyville for an immediate retrofit of the MK2 tail assembly and avionics upgrades. The team at Shelbyville were great, but extremely busy with build assists, and getting a very special Lightning ready for Sun&Fun. By spring, my LS-1 was ready. I scheduled several days for transition training. I had owned a Cardinal for 17 years, and had a lot of muscle memory to “unlearn”. Nick was very thorough, and after two days, the landings were coming easier. Then it all clicked.. I can grease her on now. After hearing my physical fate in the Dr’s office, I am continuously amazed that I have been able to find an aircraft (and an aircraft company) that has not only returned the sky to me, but has done so in such an exciting and fulfilling way.

Wow! BIG CONGRATS Air Boss!! This sounds like an exceptionally special and exciting aircraft purchase. Please keep us posted on your progress. I for one would love to see you start your own thread of your Lightning ownership experience!

[FastEddieB]

Cool story!

After hearing my physical fate in the Dr’s office, I am continuously amazed that I have been able to find an aircraft (and an aircraft company) that has not only returned the sky to me, but has done so in such an exciting and fulfilling way.

More than a few of us can count ourselves blessed that almost exactly at the point in our flying careers that medicals were becoming problematic, a brand new path to staying in the air opened itself up to us. For that I am grateful.

[Atrosa]

Opps posted this on wrong thread.

AirBoss... Any pics or vids of your jet? I was i KC for business last week but when planning my trip i completely forgot the the new Editor for the Arion News letter is in KC. Otherwise I would have loved to pick his brain on the LS1. He has some pretty cool vids on youtube. Beautiful plane. So far the best color combo I've seen it the yellow. N357SL. I think Anthony G was asking 63k. My 8 year old was begging me to buy it. I wasn't ready for it. Now i have a CFI willing to go to Shelbyville to get 5-10 hours of training.... Of course on my dime. Hopefully 2020 will have either an Arion Lightning or Sportcruiser in a hanger near me.

[designrs]

Very cool Atrosa. Buying and owning either of those planes would be an especially amazing life experience, even more so if it is shared with your son.

My SportCruiser always received significant ramp attention, yet it’s handling was very forgiving.

The Lightning is sexy as hell, and probably the hottest performing LSA that you can get your hands on. It’s probably a bit more challenging to fly, I’ll let the experts who have experienced it comment on that. I’d sure love to experience the Lightning myself.

A thread of my SportCruiser ownership experience can be found at the link below.

https://sportpilottalk.com/viewtopic.ph ... 310#p58308

[designrs]

Wow! Lightning has some really nice new offerings!

https://youtu.be/6B90OEtC7jg

Please post more video links!

[Atrosa]

Very cool Atrosa. Buying and owning either of those planes would be an especially amazing life experience, even more so if it is shared with your son.
?f=34&t=3823&p=58310#p58308

My son is very special to me. I love him dearly. As I know many of you blessed with children can attest to. I learn from my life's experience and from others sound advise and wisdom. One theme I hear over and over again is spend as much time with you child as possible as the time is short.

Speaking of learning from others I think there is a book on my next read list... https://indeliblespirit.com/ seems like the author should be able to offer a little more wisdom.

Thank you for sharing your story.

[designrs]

Thank you for your comments on my book. It wasn’t easy to write. Many people have told me that I should write a book. EVERYBODY wanted to know! Yet, I have always been such a private person that I never told my story anyone... not even in decades! It is still pretty gut-wrenching for me to put my story out there like that.

The experienced of flying was and still is one of the most magical highlights of my life.

It is so awesome that you want to share flying with your son! I’m sure that it will lead to experiences that you both will remember forever.

[Jfly67]

The only thing I miss are the back seats. Speed is actually better, climb is much faster on half the fuel burn. My annual was less expensive, since I could source all the consumables at NAPA. Obviously, I love to fly the Lightning. Stalls are predictable and benign and she tracks well, even in turbulence. Training (absolutely vital) shows you that landings are all about speed control on final. It should be held at 60 kts., with an intended touchdown speed just over 50. Too high and she’ll either float for a long way, or with that much residual energy, you’ll get a bounce and she’ll just go back to flying again. The main gear is somewhat compliant, but you learn to carry the nose gear for a while until the speed bleeds to under 40. Transition from the Cardinal and “Land-a-Matic” gear made me a MUCH better pilot. Hearing the mains squeak on always brings that “Lightning smile”


And for those interested, the photo that Jfly67 posted was not an LS-1. That airframe is for an experimental with a much larger engine/prop combination, and requires a higher stance.

It was the only the photo I could find showing the landing gear naked


I fell in love with this aircraft the first time I laid my eyes on it !

I am curious just how well the Lightning handles the turbulence in comparison to your 172 ?

[designrs]

I fell in love with this aircraft the first time I laid my eyes on it!

THIS! An airplane is like a Porsche. Nobody needs one. It’s a emotional buy that should “scratch your itch” before you even climb in!

(OK, good logic and rational thinking is required in an airplane purchase, but still it should excite you!)

[drseti]

An airplane is like a Porsche.

Well, yes, Richard - except that my airplane cost more than my Porsche.

[designrs]

Well, yes, Richard - except that my airplane cost more than my Porsche.

Depends on which Porsche.

[AirBoss52]

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Here’s some pics of 7PR. These are after the Mk2 tail and gear fairings were installed

[Atrosa]

Just plane porn. Absolutely gorgeous.

[designrs]

Absolutely beautiful! THIS is an appropriate holiday celebration!
Safe skies and enjoy!