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| Canadian company SAM Aircraft (formerly Haim Aviation) is offering a $10,000 discount on its new SAM LSA kit this week at AirVenture. |
By Marino Boric, EAA European Correspondent
For all those who always wanted the golden age airplane look but interpreted in a modern manner and using new technologies, here is an interesting new offer called SAM. The Canadian manufacturer SAM Aircraft (formerly Haim Aviation) is showing the SAM-a modern interpretation of an old airplane-in the North Aircraft Display, Booth 626.
"It's a real prototype, not a mock-up," said Thierry Zibi, owner.
SAM Aircraft was founded in France in 2007 and relocated to Canada in 2009. Zibi designed a modern retro LSA that is making its world premier this week. SAM was designed to be compliant with LSA ASTM standards and the Canadian AULA standards. It is a classic-looking tandem, low-wing standard or tricycle gear monoplane that can accommodate-according to the manufacturer-two 6-foot, 6-inch pilots in a 26-inch wide cabin. SAM has a semi-monocoque structure using a 4130 steel protection cage, covered with aluminum skins.
Three different models will be manufactured based on the same fuselage but will have different outboard wing segments. The common inner-wing portion is rectangular for ease of construction; the individual outboard portion features 3 degrees dihedral. The customer can choose the model optimized for cross-country, short field, or high-lift characteristics. With three wing configurations (cross-country-CC, STOL, standard-LS), the SAM will be produced as both an S-LSA (the LS and STOL versions) and an experimental (CC version).
Three different wings mean three different wingspans: LS 28.5 feet (model on display), STOL 31.8 feet, and CC 25.2 feet. SAM wings are removable for long-term storage.
During the AirVenture launch, the SAM LS introductory price is $125,000 (which reflects a $10,000 show discount), and every customer will receive a leather interior, optional 6.00-6 tires, and a 7-inch Dynon display for the passenger at no additional cost. All firm orders placed at the show, accompanied by a $2,000 deposit, will also receive a new vintage-look leather flying helmet with protective glass lenses.
Besides the ready-to-fly version, a kit will be available. The only engine option at launch is the Rotax 912S.
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