A Mexican company has introduced the country’s first indigenous light aircraft and it could be some serious competition in the LSA market. The Halcón 2 is a two-seat, carbon-fiber airplane built in Guanajuato by Horizontec. It is powered by the Rotax 915 iS turbo, producing 141 hp. Performance numbers are 135 knots cruise, 595-nm range, and 18,000-foot ceiling. It runs on premium auto gas or 100LL. Although it’s assembled in Mexico, many of the parts are imported from foreign manufacturers.
Price is quoted at $200,000 USD. That puts it against the Van’s RV-12iS and Tecnam P2008, both using the Rotax 912 iS (100 hp), but the Halcón 2 is faster and with a higher service ceiling, at about the same price. The Halcón’s numbers also approach the Sling TSi, which uses the same 915 iS engine. The Sling sports a 145 – 155-knot cruise, 870-nm range and 18,000-foot ceiling—but that aircraft costs $350,000+ ready-to-fly.
FAA standards are the hurdle for now. Current S-LSA rules limit speed to 120 knots at max continuous power. The Halcón’s 135 knots exceeds that. Weight (1,320-pound MTOW), stall speed (≤45 knots), and seating (two) fit the rule, but without FAA acceptance it can only enter as Experimental, which excludes it from Part 61 and 141 school use. The upcoming MOSAIC revisions may open the door by raising the limits.
Trade is the other issue. A 10–15% tariff on Mexican aerospace imports would erase the price edge quickly, pushing a $200,000 aircraft toward $230,000. A U.S. assembly partner or tariff exemption would be required to stay competitive.
The Halcón 2 shows Mexico can design and certify a composite, turbocharged airplane. If the FAA allows it under MOSAIC and tariffs don’t cut the legs out, it could become a contender in the U.S. training and recreational market.
One of the problems with current-regulation LSA’s is lack of useful load, much like the Cessna 150’s of old. With that 1320 lb max gross, what’s the payload with enough fuel for Private Pilot training XC’s (say, 3-4 hours usable)?
Ron, good point, thanks. The Private Pilot cross country requirement is 3 hours dual with an instructor and 5 hours solo, including a 150 NM flight with three full stop landings and one leg of 50 NM straight line. The Halcón 2, and by comparison the RV 12iS, Sling 2, Tecnam P2008, and Remos GX, can all carry two 170 lb pilots with 3 hour legs plus reserve, so they meet the requirement. Fuel stops are a good idea no matter what you are flying, and if pilot and instructor are heavier than 170 lb the adjustment is simply reducing fuel or baggage to stay within weight and balance limits, much like in the old C150s.
Unless I’m mistaken, Mexico still does not allow US EAB aircraft into their airspace. If Mexico is going to start production of LSA or EAB aircraft, maybe than can get lifted.
Good one, Greg. According to EAA and AOPA, U.S. amateur-builts aren’t allowed into Mexico under the current policy, and pilots have run into problems. If AFAC (Mexico’s FAA) is now backing an LSA program like the Halcón 2, that might be the incentive to get the restriction reviewed. For now though, U.S. EABs are still grounded south of the border.