AJ Sport to debut at AirVenture

The Taiwanese manufacturer acquired the intellectual property rights of the German company Flight Design’s CT series in 2017 to use as a platform for its own developments. It has since been manufacturing CTLS light sport aircraft for the Asian market at facilities located in Taiwan and China.

The AJ Sport is specifically designed for the U.S. market and the company's first attempt to “land” there. In the works since 2023, it’s a joint project between Florida-based SilverLight Aviation and AeroJones, cooperating on adapting design, technology, and performance to U.S. standards. Founder and President of SilverLight Aviation and AeroJones Aviation USA Abid Farooqui said, “We have completely redesigned the fuel system to reduce vapor lock, a new engine cowling for enhanced cooling, a longer wingspan with curved winglets for improved low-speed handling, and VGs [vortex generators] for lower stall speed and softer landings.”

The composite parts of the aircraft are manufactured by AeroJones in Asia and shipped to the United States, where they are assembled at SilverLight’s site in Zephyrhills, Florida. SilverLight also ensures that the finished product is in compliance with FAA standards, and said it is exceeding standards set by the ASTM International, and earning FAA approval for an ASTM-compliant airplane, according to a press release.

Design control and quality assurance are with AeroJones USA, so customers can rely on technical support based in the United States.

The AJ Sport is made to appeal to flight schools and pilot-owners alike. The technically advanced aircraft offers an instrument training setup and can fly legs of 700 miles. “AJ Sport makes a great platform for training, sipping fuel at 3.25 gph in a typical training environment, and the glide ratio of 12:1 opens up more options in emergencies while requiring the student pilot to hit target speeds and configuration on final properly,” said Farooqui. The aircraft sells for $171,500.