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Unleash the Sky with Your own Carlson Aircraft!

A small green airplane flying over a forested area.

Sparrow Ultralight (103)

  • What should we know about the services you provide? Better descriptions result in more sales.

  • What should we know about the services you provide? Better descriptions result in more sales.

Small propeller airplane flying over water near a hilly shoreline with houses.

Sparrow Sport Special

  • What should we know about the services you provide? Better descriptions result in more sales.

  • What should we know about the services you provide? Better descriptions result in more sales.

Yellow light aircraft with high wing design displayed outdoors at an airshow, with people gathered around and a small red, white, and blue canopy in the background.

Sparrow II & Sparrow II XTC

  • What should we know about the services you provide? Better descriptions result in more sales.

  • What should we know about the services you provide? Better descriptions result in more sales.

our story

Carlson Aircraft was founded in 1987 by designer Ernie Carlson, a passionate builder who believed that flying should be simple, safe, and within reach of everyone. His first design, the Carlson Sparrow, made its debut at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh that year and won Grand Champion honors right out of the gate.

The Sparrow stood out with its welded steel-tube fuselage, strut-braced wings, and enclosed cockpit — qualities that gave it durability and comfort rarely seen in ultralights of the time. Pilots quickly discovered that the Sparrow wasn’t just a kitplane; it was an invitation to freedom.

As word spread, the Sparrow family grew. The Sparrow Sport Special introduced a classic taildragger option, while the Sparrow II brought side-by-side seating for training and shared adventures. For those seeking more power and performance, the Sparrow II XTC expanded the design’s range and speed.

More than three decades later, Carlson Aircraft continues to carry that spirit forward. Now operating under the Av8r Capital Group Corp alongside Mini-Max USA, we remain committed to honoring the Sparrow legacy while building a new chapter for accessible, recreational aviation.

At its heart, our story is about one thing: keeping the skies open to everyone who dreams of flying.

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Small airplane in flight over a landscape of trees and roads, with a pilot wearing sunglasses inside cockpit.
Small single-engine airplane flying over a body of water with islands and a sailboat visible below.
Small red and blue aircraft named Sparrow Sport Special parked on grass, with trailers and tents in the background at an outdoor event.

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