25 June 2025
The Duck Test: If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, then it probably is a duck. But in the case of the AeroJones Sport, the aircraft is NOT a Flight Design CT even though it’s the spitting image of one.
Well, not completely.
Taiwan-based company AeroJones is officially launching its AJ Sport Special Light-Sport Aircraft (SLSA) for the United States market at late July’s EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.
Yes, the AJ Sport is based on the Flight Design CT – AeroJones used to make the CT on behalf of Flight Design to boost supply of the in-demand ready-to-fly two-seater for the US market.
AeroJones new aircraft, the AJ Sport
However, the AJ Sport has been working behind the scenes to improve the CT design.
“For the US aviation market, we have incorporated several upgrades to the original design,” said Abid Farooqui, President and Founder of AeroJones Aviation USA.
“We have a completely redesigned fuel system to reduce vapour lock, a new engine cowling for enhanced cooling, a longer wingspan with curved winglets for improved low-speed handling, and VGs [Vortex Generators – Ed] for lower stall speed and softer landings.”
The result is an aircraft tailor-made for the American pilot, according to AeroJones. The AJ Sport exceeds ASTM standards and has earned FAA approval for an ASTM-compliant aircraft. While much of the airframe is manufactured in tariff-friendly Taiwan, the engine is an Austrian Rotax, avionics American plus final assembly and quality assurance is completed in the US.
AJ Sport fitted with American made Dynon Avionics
Farooqui again, “The AJ Sport makes a great platform for training, sipping fuel at 3.25 gph in a typical training environment, and the glide ratio of 13:1 opens up more options in emergencies while requiring the student pilot to hit target speeds and configuration on final properly.”
The factory-built AJ Sport sells in the US for $171,500. A BRS option adds $10,400. Options include an IFR training setup for flight schools.
