The Sam LS exhibit at the Sebring show gathered a lot of interest: here was a modern LSA design that looked like a WWII trainer, but promised modern economy, comfort, reliability, and repairability to match good air manners. A truly interesting design… but only a design. That is changing fast, as the conforming prototype takes place near Montréal, in Québec, Canada.

The semi-monocoque aluminum design with a 4130 steel protective cockpit cage, is a classic-looking tandem low-wing standard or tricycle gear monoplane that can accommodate two pilots, each 6'6" tall.

Single-pilot operations (from the front seat) take advantage of the glass cockpit with its 10'' Dynon Skyview and back-up instruments; the ubiquitous 100hp Rotax 912S provides power through its industry-leading composite ground-adjustable Sensenich prop.

One of the versatile features of the design is its ability to carry any of three different outboard wing designs, so that individual owners can choose to optimize cross-country, short field, or high-lift characteristics. With any of the wing configurations, the Sam LS will meet LSA and the Canadian AULA standards.

Thierry Zibi, who served in the French Air Force and is a US-degreed MBA, founded HAIM Aviation to produce "…an airplane that marries the thrill of yesterday's style to today's convenience, performance, and reliability. The Sam LS will be economical to fly and maintain; its performance will match the class limits; and its utility is concealed by its striking retro looks.

"It is both practical and unique, appealing to pilots who love to fly and who want to fly something 'cool,' an important factor that's simply left out of common Light Sport Aircraft."

The HAIM Aviation team worked hard to achieve a good balance between weight and occupant protection, a perennial question in structure design, and "The cage-in-monocoque system of the Sam LS demonstrates an elegant answer," said Thierry.

Acknowledging that it is unusual to show a project in progress rather than to simply sell the completed item, he continued, "I want people to know that the Sam LS project is real – it's not just the dream of 'some guy with a computer.' I want enthusiasts to follow our progress, to ask questions, to get involved all along the way – to become part of our team."

The Sam LS will be unveiled at Oshkosh 2012. Introductory price of the ready to fly version will be US $135,000. There's to be a bonus for the first 5 orders: more than $4,000 in additional equipment, including leather interior, 600X6 tires, complete dual controls, and a 7'' Dynon screen for the rear-seater.