We recently told you about our hardware startup, DroneRafts LLC. Since then, we have had a successful Kickstarter campaign, gone into production with WaterStrider™, and we are current beginning work with distributors and Amazon for wider distribution of the production WaterStrider. We have been asked a lot of questions about both UAS as well as crowdfunding, and we hope to answer some of those questions through posts on this website.
For a quick overview, we wanted to thank Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology for publishing this nice article on the successful campaign and way forward.
If you have any questions about crowdfunding, our work-in-process experience in transitioning a portion of our consulting business to hardware, or are interested in any of our other services, please contact us by clicking here. Stay tuned for more!
ASTM formally announced on 12 April 2016 that Adam has been named chairman of ASTM International Committee F37 on Light Sport Aircraft. Officers are elected to committee every two years. Previously Adam had served as the vice-chairman of Committee F37.
Streamline Designs worked with ICON Aircraft over the past 18 months to assist with the ASTM compliance, FAA audit process, and development of the A5 technical publications. Originally brought on to evaluate ICON’s overall strategy, plans, and timeline for the audit, SD made several suggestions for improvements which resulted in significant cost and time savings for ICON. SD continued to consult on the project through the successful completion of the FAA audit on 11 June 2015.
“Working with ICON to help assure a smooth and successful FAA audit is a perfect example of our focus on enabling solutions,” said Streamline Designs Owner Adam Morrison. “We were able to quickly integrate with the capable ICON team to achieve verifiable compliance and readiness for the FAA audit across the entire business.”
“Streamline Designs played a critical role in the successful completion of the ICON A5’s FAA audit,” said ICON VP of Engineering Bill James. “Adam and his team were involved in all aspects of the process from planning to technical publications development, as well as in direct support of the audit. His knowledge of the ASTM consensus standards and the FAA regulations for Light Sport aircraft is unparalleled, and the impact to our success has been immeasurable.”
Throughout the process, Adam and Streamline Designs worked with ICON’s engineering, quality, manufacturing, and production teams in order to create the best possible aircraft and meet the regulatory and ASTM standards for LSA. Adam also conducted a mock audit and comprehensive review leading up to the FAA audit to verify the readiness of the organization.
Early in 2015 SD was contracted to create both the Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH) and Maintenance Manual for the A5.
Morrison said about taking on the technical publications, “The success of these manuals reflect the ability of Streamline Designs to quickly bring tangible, value-added engineering and technical publication solutions to complement the existing strengths of a team.”
On 11 June 2015 the FAA issued the first S-LSA airworthiness certificate for ICON’s A5 which means ICON can now begin customer deliveries for the aircraft.
As Morrison reflects on the experience he says, “As I became more intimate with the A5 design, I truly understood that the ICON mission and the mission of Streamline Designs to help companies solve really tough challenges are in perfect alignment. The A5 is a special airplane, and it is an honor to be part of the team that’s making it available to customers.”
About Streamline Designs, LLC:
Streamline Designs is a small business of engineers committed to providing cost effective and timely solutions for a variety of technical needs. With over 20 years of experience in aviation, they are a leading provider of technical consulting services and solutions within the light aviation industry. SD develops innovative product solutions while serving a wide array of markets, leveraging the cross- pollination of technologies and ideas.
About ICON Aircraft:
ICON Aircraft is a consumer sport plane manufacturer founded in response to the sport flying category created by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 2004. ICON’s first plane is the A5, an amphibious sport aircraft that fuses outstanding aeronautical engineering with world-class product design.
In the fall of 2012 Adam Morrison and Severin Kempf of Streamline Designs, LLC were recognized for their service to the light aircraft community.In September, Adam was presented with a Service Award for his performance on the Committee on Technical Committee Operations (COTCO) for 2010-2012. As stated in the committee’s scope, “COTCO develops and maintains the Regulations Governing ASTM Technical Committees and acts upon recommended changes.” Kenneth F. Yarosh, the 2012 Chairman of the Board for ASTM International, recognizes members of COTCO for their contribution to the “legislative arm” of standards development for ASTM.In October at the 10th Anniversary Meeting of ASTM International Technical Committee F37 in Atlanta, GA, both men were recognized for their contributions and service to the committee.Severin was presented with a Standards Excellence Award 2012. This award was presented for effective leadership of the task group which developed the first audit program standard specifically for Light Sport Aircraft.* Severin said about receiving this award, “It is always great to see work turn into something useful for the industry and I am humbled by the award from the committee regarding this work.”Adam was recognized with the first annual Daniel A. Schultz Award. This award, named in honor of Daniel Schultz and his contributions to ASTM, is given in recognition of his leadership on committees and contributions to standards development, and is awarded for significant and outstanding contributions to global standardization by the Light Sport Aircraft community. This highest- recognized F37 Committee Award was presented to Adam for his long time devotion to standards development in support of light sport aircraft.
Adam responded to the recognition by saying it was an honor to be recognized by the Light Sport Aircraft committee on it’s 10th Anniversary during Streamline Design’s own 10th Anniversary year.
Technical Committee F37 addresses issues related to design, performance, quality acceptance tests and safety monitoring for light sport aircraft (LSA). While in Atlanta the committee also passed F2972, a new standard for light sport quality assurance. www.astm.org/standardization-news
Oshkosh, Wis.-During the week of July 23-29, Adam Morrison and Severin Kempf of Streamline Designs led multiple committees and task groups at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Severin, as Task Group Chairman, had the difficult job of leading the group working to redefine the minimum useful load of Light Sport Aircraft while Adam led the discussion and writing of new quality assurance standard for all LSA to consolidate and harmonize five of the current standards.
As Vice Chairman of ASTM Committee F37 on Light Sport Aircraft, Adam played an integral role in organizing several task groups and committee meetings that met during the week. These meetings were all attended by representatives of the FAA and covered a variety of topics including: electric propulsion and their incorporation into LSA, equipment standards on avionics and the systems avionics interact with, a discussion on airframe emergency parachute systems and the definition of make and model of LSA. The last was of particular interest to manufacturers and the FAA as the FAA begins to audit manufacturers when they release new models.
In addition to committee meetings Adam and Severin were able to meet with Quicksilver Aeronautics LLC to discuss the ratings assessment Streamline Designs had done for Quicksilver regarding their viability of moving into LSA. For the complete article go to Quicksilver at AirVenture.
Severin and Adam were able to spend Tuesday touring the various booths in the Exhibit Hangers. There they had the chance to talk with suppliers, software and avionics companies about the latest innovations and technologies available. Severin especially appreciated the opportunity to talk with other engineers and professionals who understand the challenges faced by those working in the light aircraft industry.
AirVenture is a family affair for Streamline Designs and both families look forward to Thursday when everyone comes out and enjoys KidVenture. As Severin puts it, “It is refreshing to be in a family friendly business involved in a family friendly industry. It is great to give the kids a glimpse of what I do and the kind of people I work with.” Building balsa gliders and flying gas-powered control line models were particular favorites with the kids.
Adam summed up the week by saying, “It is always good to visit a familiar place and connect with people from the industry. To see that Streamline Designs plays a significant role in the light aircraft industry and for the kids to have a family friendly environment where they can see what we do as a company.”
Sebring, FL Just prior to the 2010 LSA Expo in Sebring, Florida, Adam Morrison and Severin Kempf of Streamline Designs led ASTM meetings related to Light Sport Aircraft standards. Adam serves as Chairman of the fixed-wing subcommittee as well as overall committee Vice-Chairman and Severin serves as Task Group Technical Contact for the development of a new audit standard for LSA. The meetings covered subject matter such as Electric Propulsion Units (EPU), IFR/IMC operations, audits, integrity of engine installations, and improved internationalization of the standards.
Just prior to the 2010 LSA Expo in Sebring, Florida, Adam Morrison and Severin Kempf of Streamline Designs led ASTM meetings related to Light Sport Aircraft standards. Adam serves as Chairman of the fixed-wing subcommittee as well as overall committee Vice-Chairman and Severin serves as Task Group Technical Contact for the development of a new audit standard for LSA. The meetings covered subject matter such as Electric Propulsion Units (EPU), IFR/IMC operations, audits, integrity of engine installations, and improved internationalization of the standards.
Severin had the following to say after these meetings, “Although there are many interests represented on the ASTM LSA standards committee, the ASTM process has proven to be very robust. At the end of the day, there was consensus to do the right things. I was also pleased to see that there is general agreement within the community as it relates to the developing audit standard for LSA.”
Adam noted following the Sebring meetings, “There are some very exciting things happening within the LSA industry. Aircraft designs and manufacturers are maturing and the industry is beginning to appreciate the value of high-quality consensus standards. We are on the forefront of electric propulsion and are actively developing standards to help assure that these systems can be safely operated. Developments are happening quickly, and the consensus standards process is proving well-suited to support the safety of significant innovations. Streamline Designs is ready, as always, to continue supporting this growing industry.”
Streamline Designs has been involved with the LSA industry since its inception and provides affordable, high-quality engineering services ranging from detailed design and analysis to setup of manufacturing quality systems to management and execution of complete compliance programs for LSA. For more information on these and other services, please contact us.
Indianapolis, IN In early 2008, Streamline Designs finished the complete rewrite and redesign of the Jabiru J250-SP Pilot’s Operating Handbook in accordance with the current requirements of ASTM F2245. The newly refreshed handbook was featured among others in EAA’s Sport Pilot and Light Sport Aircraft. The comments in the magazine were very complimentary of the POH.
Streamline Designs offers technical communications solutions at any level of involvement needed. We have worked with clients to audit existing technical manuals, redesign existing manuals to meet the international standards requirements, manage tracking databases for fielded manuals, refresh graphics and manual content, and more. Cost for these services varies depending on the nature of the project, but our rates are extremely competitive.
So whether your manuals need to be refreshed or if they don’t even exist yet, we have the skills and expertise necessary to capture your vision and we would love to see your technical manual featured here in the future.
POH Weight and Balance
To see the full article which includes the redesigned J250-SP Pilot’s Operating Handbook, click here:
Indianapolis, IN Streamline Designs’ Adam Morrison was a featured guest on the UltraFlight Radio Show on 11 March 2008. Adam talked with host Roy Beisswenger about Streamline Designs’ involvement with light aircraft manufacturers, aircraft design, and the ASTM standards for Light Sport Aircraft. Adam currently serves as chairman of the ASTM subcommittee responsible for fixed-wing LSA consensus standards.
Click on the UltraFlight Radio link below to listen to the 20-minute interview (MP3 format). Note that there may be a delay after clicking the link while the file downloads.
Toronto, Canada Adam Morrison took over as chairman of the ASTM subcommittee F37.20 for fixed wing aircraft during the May 2006 LSA consensus standards meetings in Toronto, Canada. Adam has been actively involved with the ASTM consensus standard process for LSA since its formation in 2002. Going forward, Adam will be responsible for leading the subcommittee in the refinement of existing standards for design and performance, quality systems, and continued airworthiness for Light Sport Aircraft. In addition, Adam will lead any new activity related to standards for fixed-wing aircraft.
Upon taking this position, Adam said the following: “This position is extremely important as this industry is still in its infancy and is working through many growing pains. I look forward to leading the consensus standard effort for fixed wing aircraft to help insure that the integrity of the Light Sport Aircraft industry is maintained.”
The same expertise that Adam brings to the ASTM committee is available from Streamline Designs. Please contact us for help with any of your light aircraft technical needs.
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