July 1, 2009 - ByDanJohnson.com is pleased to announce the return of PlaneFinder, now relaunched as version 2.0. PlaneFinder 2.0 helps pilots or prospective pilots interested in Light-Sport Aircraft (LSA) to determine which LSA is the best one for them. It may also be fun for current experts to see how planes compare. PlaneFinder uses 24 criteria to make these determinations although it not necessary to reflect your preference in all 24 categories for the system to help. Perhaps the best news:  It's completely free! http://www.bydanjohnson.com/index.cfm?b=2&m=4

Since their arrival on the aviation scene in 2004 (with first approvals in 2005), almost 100 models of fully-built Special Light-Sport Aircraft have been brought to market. These models come from 70 manufacturers, about two thirds of which originate outside the United States. Many have unfamiliar brand names and the sheer number of these models can make it challenging even for veterans.

With flight experience in approximately half the LSA models on the market and regularly studying all of them, publisher Dan Johnson has evaluated all certified Special Light-Sport Aircraft in each of 24 categories (not all categories apply to all planes). To benefit from the PlaneFinder 2.0 matching system, website visitors need only click a few buttons.

"Each time you click a button, our "Matching SLSA" list instantly changes to reflect all airplanes matching that description," reported Dan Johnson. "The categories are also very simple (this-or-that type) categories, for example, -High wing or low wing?-"

"We kept PlaneFinder 2.0 lean and light, with quick-read questions and responses," added Johnson. "If you need more info to select your response, hover over any highlighted title and a hint box will pop up more fully explaining what the category means and how aircraft were evaluated."

You can change your PlaneFinder 2.0 category responses as often as you wish to refine your ideal feature set. Or you can Reset and start all over. It's easy and it's fun. "Go try it," encourages Dan!

When ByDanJohnson.com went live in April 2004 (four months before the SP/LSA rule was announced), the website was organized around a feature called PlaneFinder. Intended as a means to offer advice to pilots seeking their ideal aircraft, PlaneFinder version 1.0 proved to be more complicated than needed plus the ultralights and kit-built light planes addressed in the original version were giving way to Light-Sport Aircraft.

"Reluctantly, we quietly put PlaneFinder [version 1.0] on hold while we followed the emergence of LSA within the world of aviation," remembered Johnson. "But we're pleased to get PlaneFinder 2.0 live and operating."

PlaneFinder 2.0 is offered as a free service by ByDanJohnson.com, however registration is required. After leaving your email address, a temporary password will be sent allowing full access to PlaneFinder 2.0 without charge.

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