We've got the usual assortment of podcasts and other goodies to share with you today, but we also have some extras on tap for this issue of AVwebAudio. Our newsteam is on site at the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, Florida, and we're sneaking in a few top headlines from the show, as well as recapping our podcast and video coverage for those who can't be there. Sit back and enjoy our all-light-sport edition of AVwebAudio — then leave the office a little early and do some weekend flying.

FINANCING YOUR LSA
Plenty of pilots at this week's U.S. Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, Florida may be eager to buy one of the shiny new airplanes on display — but can they get financing for it? AVweb's Mary Grady talks with Tammy Hand, founder of Aviation Capital Experts, for insight and advice to those who are ready to buy aircraft of any kind in today's volatile economy.

Click here to listen. (6.7 MB, 5:51)

SPORT EXPO: DESPITE THE ECONOMY, OPEN FOR BUSINESS
Earl Lawrence, a board member of the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association (LAMA), tells AVweb that the LSA industry continues to hang tough in difficult economic conditions. To prove it, the fifth annual Sport Aircraft Expo opens this week in Sebring, Florida. Our coverage begins with this podcast.

Click here to listen. (5.5 MB, 6:03)

LSA SAFETY RECORD SLOWLY IMPROVES
Most of us learned to fly on small airplanes that felt every breath of wind. Then we went on to bigger, more powerful, and more stable aircraft. Well, it turns out you can go back, but it's best if you have some refresher training. AVweb's Russ Niles spoke with Avemco Insurance's Mike Adams about mandatory checkout time for LSA pilots, regardless of how many hours they have in other planes.

Click here to listen. (4.5 MB, 4:56)

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO FROM U.S. SPORT AVIATION EXPO 2009:
FLIGHT DESIGN'S TOM PEGHINY

The nation's showcase for light sport aircraft and the Sport Pilot program (U.S. Sport Aviation Expo 2009) kicks off in Sebring, Florida today. Tom Peghiny from Flight Design joins Aviation Consumer Editor-in-Chief Paul Bertorelli to discuss the company's presence at the show and the state of LSA. (Click through to watch.)

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO FROM U.S. SPORT AVIATION EXPO 2009:
CHAIRMAN BOB WOOD ON THIS YEAR'S EXPO

As the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo 2009 gets underway in Sebring, Florida, Chairman Bob Wood talks with Aviation Safety Editor-in-Chief Jeb Burnside. A quick preview of this year's show tells attendees what to expect and what they don't want to miss at the nation's premier sport pilot gathering. (Click through to watch.)

EXPERT: LSA FINANCING IS TIGHT, BUT STILL AVAILABLE

Among the seminars available for those attending the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, Fla., this week, is one about how to find financing for your aircraft. Pilots may be ready and eager to buy, but with the tightening financial markets, can they get the loan they need? Tammy Hand, founder of Aviation Capital Experts, says that it's definitely harder than it used to be, but most of those who need a loan should be able to find one. "You need to have relatively good credit, good debt-to-income.... the numbers need to work out," she told AVweb in a podcast interview from Sebring on Thursday. "What used to be the norm, 10 percent down, with 20 years financing, is now more the exception. Now you're seeing 20 percent down and 15 years is more typical."

Hand is a pilot, and lives with her husband, who is also a pilot and a banker, at a residential airpark in New Jersey. They own a Beechcraft and a Cameron hot-air balloon.

GARMIN DISPLAYS NON-CERTIFIED GLASS

At Sport Aviation Expo, Garmin has introduced non-certified multi-function displays based on the portable GPSMap 695 and 696 platforms that offer owners of experimental and Light Sport aircraft the utility of high-end panel models at the portable price. The GDU 370 and GDU 375 are also expandable with products coming down the pike that will turn them into full MFD/PFD panels with engine monitoring and instruments. "The beauty of the GDU 370 and GDU 375 are that they are like building-blocks; they're expandable and can be interconnected with other Garmin components," said Gary Kelley, Garmin's vice president of marketing. "Customers will be able to choose one, two or three GDU displays – whatever works best for their aircraft. When customers are ready to expand upon the GDU's MFD capabilities, they can install other Garmin components that will add PFD capabilities to the GDU's."

On their own, the 370 and 375 are powerful navigation tools that incorporate virtually all the features of the 695 and 696. However, they are designed for panel mounting, have redundant power inputs and a front-mounted SD card slot. The higher-end 375 includes XM WX Satellite Weather. The 370 costs 3,295 and the 375 $3995 and will be available in March. At Sun 'n Fun in late April, the company intends to introduce the G3X kit that includes the monitors and sensors that turn the MFDs into full MFD/PFD systems. The G3X kit costs an additional $9,995 and can be connected to as many as three panel displays, all of which are purchased separately.

GOBOSH DISCOUNTS GLASS

At Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, Gobosh Aviation has introduced a glass panel version of its 700S Luxury Sport Aircraft that's actually $10,000 less expensive than the steam model. With a single Dynon primary flight display (PFD) and a Garmin 196 GPS, the Gobosh 700X is priced at $99,990. The steam version, the 700S, was introduced last year at EAA AirVenture. Both are all-metal low-wings with leather interiors, deluxe paint and sporty looks. The company also offers a composite design, designated the 800 series.

Gobosh is also offering incentives for the first six buyers of the 700X. Deposit holders will either get a $5,000 discount or they can put the money to upgraded Elite models with upgraded GPS, fancier paint, dual Dynons and Bose headsets. The company will also cover the cost of joining the Aircraft Partnership Association for groups interested in buying one.