The all-metal Parrot is the first LSA to offer a full-cantilever metal wing, a ‘glass’ shape in real metal, a forward-hinged canopy, and plenty of payload. Flight tests on the new machine have exceeded expectations. Test pilot and CZAW President Chip Erwin said, “I have never felt so comfortable so quickly flying any aircraft, especially a new design on its first flight. The handling and control balance are great. The visibility is fantastic. The Parrot is smooth, quiet, and extremely comfortable.” OK – he’s the company president, but others are lining up around the block to see for themselves. The entire design effort was built around the Sport Pilot (LSA) rules. “We are not adapting some 450kg European ultralight,” Erwin, born and raised in Wisconsin, explained. “We designed from the ground up for the American rules and the American market; and we use American-sourced materials. We have a new and modern look, fantastic handing characteristics on the ground and in the air, and optimized performance to the LSA rules.” With exceptionally nimble, yet steady air manners and fabulous visibility enhanced by the cantilevered wing and convenient forward-hinged canopy, the Parrot makes the most of aerodynamics. (Its efficient airfoil, developed on high-performance sailplanes, is a key feature unmatched in the industry.) The smooth shape, made possible by the Parrot’s proprietary construction fixtures, also contributes to the quiet ride. Plus, it’s beautiful. With a shape usually considered achievable only on composite aircraft, the Parrot’s stretch formed and hydroformed panels blend together with flush rivets to give the appearance of composite, without the headaches. Future headaches are also reduced by standard full-interior zinc chromate protection on the ready-to-fly machine.

When the new Czech Aircraft Works (CZAW) Mermaid amphibian debuted at Sun ’n Fun last year, the crowds responded overwhelmingly. With well over 100 orders in hand and series production already begun, the only question was what CZAW would do next. Now, we know: there is little that the gifted design group and talented craftsmen of Czech Aircraft Works cannot do, given a little time. And a little time is all it has taken, between the Mermaid’s introduction and the unveiling of the Parrot. With the Mermaid already in production to fill deliveries later this year, the Parrot landplane (floats are designed and will be available) is completing flight testing. The Parrot could well be the first Light Sport Aircraft offering that’s enough machine in all dimensions to be a ‘real’ airplane: it holds enough, it’s fast enough, and, thanks to space-age construction techniques, it looks the part.

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