Arion Aircraft Lightning

The Arion Lightning is a composite two-seat low-wing from Shelbyville, Tennessee, first flown in 2006 and sold as the EXP and XS kits and the factory-built LS-1 light-sport: 820 lb empty and 1,320 lb gross with a 120 hp Jabiru 3300, quoted at 120 knots cruise (140 as a kit), a 38-knot stall and 520 nm.

The Lightning's appeal is a sleek, fast, modern-looking two-seater at a modest price, and the things to understand are its two identities: the LS-1 is a 1,320 lb light-sport aircraft a sport pilot can fly, while a kit EXP or XS is an amateur-built aircraft that may be certified at 1,530 lb and fitted with a 150-210 hp Lycoming, which is a different aeroplane in speed, useful load and handling; the airworthiness certificate and weight-and-balance say which you are looking at. The Jabiru 3300 that powers most of them is light and smooth but has a reputation for cylinder-head temperature management and needs an owner who watches the gauges; its parts come from Australia. Composite airframes need to be inspected for finish cracks and repairs rather than corrosion. A kit example's quality is its builder's; the condition inspection on either version needs an A&P or the repairman, and Arion remains in business for parts.

Variants of the Arion Lightning

• Lightning · 2006 · 112 active · this page

Also consider

• Champion 8KCABScore 29/50 · 2 seats · 120 kt
• Cessna 162Score 37.1/50 · 2 seats · 118 kt
• Quickie Q2Score 18.9/50 · 2 seats · 122 kt

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