Evektor was tied for the
Number 4 spot for U.S. market share at
the end of 2008 and is approaching 100
Special Light-Sport Aircraft flying in
the U.S. (with hundreds more overseas).
The company was the first-ever SLSA
approval, back on April 8, 2009. Three
previous Certificates of Completion have
been issued: to IndUS Aviation, Flight
Design, and BRS Parachutes. Another 18
companies are in various stages of
performing or planning a LAMA Audit.
?These audits are
conducted by some of the top experts in
the business,? said Dan Johnson,
Chairman and President of LAMA. ?The
LAMA Audit Team includes Adam Morrison
(Vice Chairman of the ASTM standards
committee and Chair of the Airplane
Subcommittee); Michael Huffman (FAA DAR
and LSA Repairman course provider);
James Stephenson (CEO of FASTrac
Engineering and Director of Aero Sport
Connection); and Izek Therrien (industry
consultant and technical manual expert).
All Audit work is directed by Larry
Burke, Founder and Chairman Emeritus of
LAMA, himself a highly experienced
engineer.
A LAMA Audit works
closely with the manufacturer to review
every single document required under
multiple applicable standards created by
the ASTM committee. LAMA supplies the
manufacturer with detailed, line-by-line
checklists to help organize the
documentation. Documents are packaged
and sent to LAMA, which retains the
documents to allow for later review if
needed. Following the document review, a
trained auditor makes an on-site review
in person. Quality procedures are
examined and documents spot-checked. On
issuance of a successful Findings
Report, LAMA can present the
manufacturer with a Certificate of
Completion, which allows the producer to
apply a LAMA Label to every aircraft
produced within a two-year period
following the audit. Audits must be
renewed every two years (though an
internal audit is required every year
under ASTM standards). Because of the
efficient method of auditing and the
dedication of auditors, a LAMA ASTM
Compliance Audit costs less than
$10,000, a fraction of the cost of
audits from other organizations.
While conducting its
thorough audit, LAMA is focused on
helping manufacturers successfully
complete the LAMA ASTM Compliance Audit.
While nothing short of 100% compliance
is accepted for a Certificate of
Completion, industry consultants
recommended by LAMA can assist any
non-compliant manufacturer. Companies
audited by LAMA do not ?pass? or ?fail,?
The audit is either ?complete? or
?incomplete.? Only upon 100% completion
is a certificate issued and the
manufacturer eligible to place LAMA
Label decals on their airplanes.
Insurance companies
and member organizations as well as
government officials have stated that
such a program is needed to assure the
public regarding the new method of
certifying aircraft; the LAMA Label
proves to users that a compliant
producer has built a particular
airplane.
LAMA, the Light
Aircraft Manufacturers Association, is
the light aviation industry?s trade
association. Founded in 1984, LAMA
represents approximately 100 members of
the Light-Sport Aircraft business
community including airframe
manufacturers; producers of engines,
avionics, and components; suppliers,
distributors; flight schools; and other
aviation businesses. LAMA provides the
LAMA Compliance Audit to producers
wishing to demonstrate third party
oversight and the organization uses the
LAMA Label on compliant Light-Sport
Aircraft to convey this verification to
consumers.