Vulcanair, Cruiser Tout Absent Aircraft

July 27, 2018 - Two aircraft models slated to make their U.S. debuts at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2018 — Vulcanair Aircraft’s V1.0 trainer and Cruiser Aircraft’s SportCruiser outfitted with the new updated interior package — have instead left bare spots at the companies’ displays due to shipping and weather delays. The good news: Both companies have other aircraft on exhibit and reps on hand to answer questions about their entire product lines — present and absent.

The no-show SportCruiser features a revamped interior design including new seats and a new paint program allowing highly customized liveries. “Only your imagination is the limit” on the paint scheme, said Lukas Koterec. No price for the upgraded version has been set.

Cruiser Aircraft (Main Aircraft Display, Booth 91-95), exclusive U.S. distributor for the Czech-built airplanes, is also showcasing the current SportCruisers, priced at $169,999 with all options. Popular in the trainer market, Cruiser is launching at the fly-in the Sport LTE, a stripped down version with all options removed, priced at $141,999 and 70 pounds lighter than fully equipped. Lukas, formerly Cruiser’s president, is now in charge of the newly formed Cruiser Aircraft Financial Services, which can finance purchases for credit-worthy flight schools. “We know it’s a viable business model — the SportCruiser works so well in the flight school environment,” said Lukas, pointing out the aircraft’s $35 per hour operating costs.

Though the V1.0 isn’t here either, Vulcanair Aircraft, U.S. distributor for the Italian manufacturer, announced the first domestic sale of the trainer, with the Aeromanagement Group placing a firm order for 11 and options for another 25.

Beginning in 2019, V1.0s built for the U.S. market will be outfitted with Garmin G500 TXi panels with one 10-inch monitor standard, and pilot and co-pilot windows that open and close, said Vulcanair’s Michael McMann. A constant speed propeller is standard with a fixed pitch option, both priced at $278,000, delivered in Miami.

McMann noted that’s “over $100,000 less” than trainers including the Cessna Skyhawk, Piper Archer, and Diamond DA40. Meanwhile, Vulcanair (Main Aircraft Display, Booth 117) is also exhibiting a twin-engine P68R — the retractable version of the venerable twin-engine piston — the only one in the U.S. That’s worth visiting the Vulcanair display in its own right.