AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2022 - 57

manageable despite the hot, gusty conditions.
Touchdown at idle power came at
55 knots, and the trailing link main gear
dampened any bounce.
WORLD WISE
The U.S. light sport aircraft industry
has been hobbled since its inception by
a top speed of 120 KCAS and prohibitions
against retractable landing gear
and constant speed props-but European
manufacturers have no such restrictions.
As a result, they're leading the way in producing
small airplanes with exceptional
performance. The vast majority of the
400-plus VL3s that JMB Aircraft has produced
since 2004 reside in Europe, but
that's starting to change as pilots around
the world recognize their attributes.
U.S. buyers of VL3s and similar
European aircraft must deal with
licensing them in the experimental
exhibition category. And lenders are
reluctant to make loans on these aircraft
until they arrive and are registered
in the United States.
But U.S. buyers appear willing to
jump through these regulatory and
financial hoops in order to own and
fly modern, technologically advanced,
highly efficient airplanes that can cover
long distances at relatively high speeds
using unleaded auto fuel.
The situation is reminiscent of
the 1970s when flush U.S. automakers
became set in their ways, unwilling to
innovate, while European and Asian competitors
steadily, relentlessly made deep
inroads and later came to dominate the
domestic market.
General aviation isn't exactly analogous
since U.S. and European GA
manufacturers are currently playing by
different rules-but the result is similar:
They're creating exciting new products
that U.S. consumers want, and we're not.
Hopefully, the MOSAIC rules now being
drafted will allow U.S. aircraft manufacturers
to get out from under the artificial
weight, speed, and technology limits that
now tie their hands.
It's fun to imagine the design and performance
advancements that could result
from such freedom.
dave.hirschman@aopa.org
SPEC SHEET
Model VL3 915iS /
Base price: $235,000
Price as shown: $330,000
SPECIFICATIONS
Powerplant / Rotax 915iS, 142 hp
Recommended TBO / 2,000 hr
Propeller / Woodcomp 3-blade
Length / 20 ft 6 in
Height / 6 ft 7 in
Wingspan / 27 ft 7 in
Wing area / 105 sq ft
Wing loading / 14.2 lb/sq ft
Power loading / 10.5 lb/hp
Seats / 2
Cabin width / 45.25 in
Empty weight / 862 lb
Max gross weight / 1,500 lb
Useful load / 638 lb
Payload w/full fuel / 390 lb
Fuel capacity, std / 37 gal
PERFORMANCE
Takeoff distance, ground roll / 600 ft
Rate of climb, sea level / 2,000 fpm
Max TAS at 18,000 ft / 199 kt
Landing distance ground roll / 600 ft
Range / 800+ nm
LIMITING AND RECOMMENDED AIRSPEEDS
VX
(best angle of climb) / 65 KIAS
VY (best rate of climb) / 82 KIAS
VA (design maneuvering) / 103 KIAS
VFE (max flap extended) / 67 KIAS
VLE (max gear extended) / 81 KIAS
VNO (max structural cruising) / 150 KIAS
VNE (never exceed) / 183 KIAS
VR (rotation) / 60 KIAS
VS1 (stall, clean) / 60 KIAS
VSO (stall, in landing configuration) / 52 KIAS
For more information jmbaircraft.com
All specifications are based on manufacturer's
calculations. All performance figures
are based on standard day, standard atmosphere,
sea level, gross weight conditions
unless otherwise noted. Find more specifications
in AOPA's Aircraft Guide.
aopa.org/aircraftguide
AOPA PILOT / January 2022
57
http://www.jmbaircraft.com http://www.aopa.org/aircraftguide
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2022

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