I've just learned of these within the last year. I have a friend who owns an LSA version in New Mexico. He sent me a description of the plane in an email recently:
"The second picture is our airplane called an "Esqual VM-1". It was a kit from Spain and is now produced in this country as a "Lightning" (shown in the first picture). Our's was amateur built in Wisconsin with the current manufacturer of the certified version involved in building and test flying it. He is also our advisor when we have questions. The lightning is available as either an LSA version (similar to ours) or certified version (the first picture shown below). It has an air cooled Jabiru 3300 engine good for 120 HP. There are a few changes to get it into the LSA Category, but it still has a not to exceed speed of 207 MPH and a gross weight of 1320 lbs. Empty weight is 750. Not bad for an LSA. Of course, they have derated the engine by reducing rpm from 3300 to 2800 and re-pitched a ground adjustable prop.. They have also changed the wing tips, changed the flap length and the aileron depth to get the low stall speed of 40 MPH for the LSA. It is a fun to fly airplane and is over stressed for an LSA. It fly's on less than 5 gal per hour and we can get 120 indicated at all altitudes available for the LSA. That = almost 160 mph over the ground at 10,000 ft. The lightning is specified to do 190 MPH. We are very happy with what it can do. We have had to do some up-dates like add a 406 mh. ELT, do some accessory work and fix a couple of minor problems. We bought it from the estate of a friend who died of cancer. There is a group of five who are the owners under an LLC, non profit corporation." ____________________________________________________________ Mom 55 dates 25 Breakthrough in Science Makes Mom Look Younger Without Surgery http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/5078fc4656f027c460418st02vuc
