New LSA Launched at Airventure 2025

[red750]

Every year, EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is full of surprises. In 2025, there was none bigger than the Spirit Engineering SE-1. Kept tightly under wraps, four SE-1s made the journey from Grand Junction, Colorado, to Oshkosh to debut the design on the world’s biggest stage. The four SE-1s arrived at Oshkosh after burning a total of 88 gallons of fuel, and the aircraft have been the buzz of the convention.

 

Priced at US$69,500 out the door, the special light-sport aircraft (S-LSA) draws attention with its design that is reminiscent of aviation’s classics. Think Luscombe, Ryan ST, or Swift. 

 

There are insufficient details to create a profile of the aircaft just yet, even on the company website.  However, here are a couple of photos and a video.

 

 

 

 

[djpacro]

They looked very swish.

 

The new Junkers nearby looked interesting.

[Thruster88]

Beautiful looking aircraft. They also make their own 42hp engine.  One of the SE1's landed very long at the ultralight field at Oshkosh 25 and unfortunately tipped on to it nose due braking required to avoid the fence.

 

This is what Ai had to say about that.

 

AI Overview

 

 

The Spirit SE-1 aircraft did experience an incident at Oshkosh in July 2025 where it landed on its nose, resulting in a prop strike and significant damage to the engine mounts. The pilot was uninjured, and a post-accident assessment revealed that the nose landing gear had not been extended due to a popped circuit breaker. The aircraft sustained damage and was recovered to a hangar for examination. 

Details of the Incident

• What Happened: The Spirit SE-1 landed on its nose at Oshkosh-Wittman Field (KOSH).
• The Cause: The nose landing gear was not extended at the time of landing because its circuit breaker had tripped.
• Consequences: The landing caused a propeller strike on the runway, leading to substantial damage to the engine mounts.
• Safety: The pilot was reported to be uninjured. 

Context

• Spirit SE-1: This is a single-seat, ready-to-fly light sport aircraft (SLSA) that was unveiled at Oshkosh in 2025 by Spirit Engineering.
• Other Incidents: While this was a notable incident involving the SE-1, there were no fatal aircraft crashes during the entire 2025 EAA AirVenture show. 

 

[FlyBoy1960]

1 hour ago, Thruster88 said:

post-accident assessment revealed that the nose landing gear was not extended

Hang on, its a tailwheel aircraft ?   and certainly not retractable ?

[red750]

Here\s a photo of the Junkers 50A where the horizon is not at 60 deg.

 

[Marty_d]

There's a few interesting videos of the Spirit SE1.

In one shot thew showed about 20 sitting in the factory. Certainly not a pie in the sky design out to lure investors.

All aluminium, even the cowl. If I had the money...

[FlyBoy1960]

there are only 2 actually registered as per the FAA database but they have registration number allocations for about 12 airframes but it looks like none of these are currently flying. Interestingly in the FAA register one is listed as amateur built, the other is listed as SLSA but the model itself is not compliant according to the FAA list of accepted aircraft models which is apparently updated at midnight every single day

 

[facthunter]

The corrugations don't align with the Direction of the airflow unless it's a Co-incidence. . Be interesting to have actual L/D figures for the Plane.  Nev

[Methusala]

Hahaha... AI can't tell a taildragger from a nose dragger. No threat to human existence from that direction!!!

[facthunter]

Don't bet on it. Nev

[dlegg]

Looks like millions invested in that remarkably clean/new factory space. Hard to believe they could possibly sell enough single seater aircraft to go cash positive. I guess easy to change over to a cheaper build drone version for Ukraine. 

[BrendAn]

On 08/10/2025 at 8:32 AM, FlyBoy1960 said:

Hang on, its a tailwheel aircraft ?   and certainly not retractable ?

typical ai rubbish

[Blueadventures]

2 hours ago, dlegg said:

Looks like millions invested in that remarkably clean/new factory space. Hard to believe they could possibly sell enough single seater aircraft to go cash positive. I guess easy to change over to a cheaper build drone version for Ukraine. 

He said he made good out of a design and military contract, I guess cashed up and put a dream into go.  Looks a very nice setup and outcome.  Best of luck to him for the future.  I expect someone over here will buy one and I look forward to seeing the real thing up close.

[Marty_d]

6 hours ago, dlegg said:

Looks like millions invested in that remarkably clean/new factory space. Hard to believe they could possibly sell enough single seater aircraft to go cash positive. I guess easy to change over to a cheaper build drone version for Ukraine. 

Plus 25 staff, not a cheap operation but it is an impressive looking plane and tempting for anyone who loves that "real plane" look (Ryans, Ercoupes etc) at a fraction of the cost.

[Marty_d]

Just thinking too, it's probably a smart choice to make something retro.

Mostly the people with the money and time to commit aviation are 60 - 80+ years old.

Probably a good proportion of them prefer the nostalgic lines, polished aluminium look and all aluminium build, to the plastic fantastics.

Being a single seater isn't a problem for them, as their wives are trying to get them out of the house anyway...

[skippydiesel]

Very nostalgic/retro. Unfortunate cant imagine there will be a large market for them. This is a classic case of form over function - a very rich mans fantasy.😈

[Student Pilot]

There would be a Market if they were cheap enough but the price is something like 100k US.

 

It is a pretty aircraft in the Miles Hawk sort of classic Deco style.

[onetrack]

USD$100K gets you very little, by way of aircraft, or even kits, today. I'm surprised it's not a lot more.

[BrendAn]

9 hours ago, skippydiesel said:

Very nostalgic/retro. Unfortunate cant imagine there will be a large market for them. This is a classic case of form over function - a very rich mans fantasy.😈

 it cruises around 100 knts on 2 gallons an hour. stalls at 40 knts. 69500 us fly away.

i think they have done well.  definately not form over function.

Edited Thursday at 06:56 PM by BrendAn

[skippydiesel]

BrendAn,

 

Friend, mate what galaxy do you live in?

 

How can you say that the SE-1 is anything but an impractical (open/single cockpit), high maintenance (all metal ,polished, corrosion prone) mediocre performing (40-100 knot),  art statement  (nostalgia driven).

 

The very essence of FORM over Function. It will look great at photo shoot, parked in a hanger door, undoubtable make quiet the visual statement when it, eventually, gets to a fly-in/air show.

 

This aircraft is unlikly to arrive in Australia at much under $200,000 (if it ever gets here at all)

 

Its performance is pretty average - fuel consumption on a par with a Rotax 912 (80 hp) , Cruise similar to a lot of existing high drag STOL aircraft (without the STOL benefit) and its Stall, at 40 knots, is 10-20 knots higher (less desirable) than the aforementioned - its ALL about THE LOOK!😈

 

 

 

 

[onetrack]

I reckon the only light aircraft that would consume 2 US gallons an hour (7.57 litres) would be those in a dive, with the throttle pulled back. There's a lot of "salesperson" type promises, when it comes to fuel consumption figures.

[skippydiesel]

9 minutes ago, onetrack said:

I reckon the only light aircraft that would consume 2 US gallons an hour (7.57 litres) would be those in a dive, with the throttle pulled back. There's a lot of "salesperson" type promises, when it comes to fuel consumption figures.

My ATEC Zephyr/Rotax 912ULS would easily get sub 8L/hr at 70-80 knots. Rotax 912UL (80hp) will do better, as will the 912is (fuel injected).😈

[Blueadventures]

10 minutes ago, onetrack said:

I reckon the only light aircraft that would consume 2 US gallons an hour (7.57 litres) would be those in a dive, with the throttle pulled back. There's a lot of "salesperson" type promises, when it comes to fuel consumption figures.

I can see this 336kg MTOW aircraft at cruise speed of 87 kts consuming about 2 US Gals.

 

I'd expect they are providing accurate specs as he seems proud of his product and would not like to be proved incorrect.  Just my view of things.

 

Powerplant

• Engine: Spirit V2, 42 hp, inverted V-twin, air-cooled, direct-drive 
   
• Fuel Capacity: 8 gallons 
   
• Fuel Consumption: 1.8 – 2.2 gph in cruise 
   
• Approved Fuels: 91 AKI unleaded auto gas or 100LL avgas

[BrendAn]

1 hour ago, onetrack said:

I reckon the only light aircraft that would consume 2 US gallons an hour (7.57 litres) would be those in a dive, with the throttle pulled back. There's a lot of "salesperson" type promises, when it comes to fuel consumption figures.

not at all. you would expect that economy from a 42 hp 4 stroke in a slippery airframe

[BrendAn]

2 hours ago, skippydiesel said:

BrendAn,

 

Friend, mate what galaxy do you live in?

 

How can you say that the SE-1 is anything but an impractical (open/single cockpit), high maintenance (all metal ,polished, corrosion prone) mediocre performing (40-100 knot),  art statement  (nostalgia driven).

 

The very essence of FORM over Function. It will look great at photo shoot, parked in a hanger door, undoubtable make quiet the visual statement when it, eventually, gets to a fly-in/air show.

 

This aircraft is unlikly to arrive in Australia at much under $200,000 (if it ever gets here at all)

 

Its performance is pretty average - fuel consumption on a par with a Rotax 912 (80 hp) , Cruise similar to a lot of existing high drag STOL aircraft (without the STOL benefit) and its Stall, at 40 knots, is 10-20 knots higher (less desirable) than the aforementioned - its ALL about THE LOOK!😈

 

 

 

 

i would love one but i fly for the enjoyment of being up there.     also i think a single seater would get pretty uncomfortable over 100 knts in rough air.