Light - Sport Aircraft

[Mike]

There has been a lot of interest in this type of aircraft lately. Here is a place to start a conversation about light - sport aircraft.

[Denny of Oakland]

This is great. I have a whole Light-Sport certification page on my web site that covers certification from Experimental E-LSA to Special S-LSA aircraft.

What’ important to know is the dead line for E-LSA aircraft is January 31, 2008 after that date the FAA will not be certifying any more ultra-light aircraft into the E-LSA group. If you own a 2-seat ultra-light and do not get it certificated you cannot fly it legally in the U.S.

A link to my site to find out what is required and procedures is at: http://www.stacheair.com

[airfreddy]

Hi denny:

What is the actual weight limitation on that. I know the C-120/149 is over about 60 pounds.

I did talk to one student this week who was interested in that and he asked me where the FAA came up with the weight.

I Gave an educated guess. I told him they probably figured it out using a max amount of kinetic energy. Since many won't have medicals I figured they came up with the weigh for a maximum amount of impact damage.

You seem to be the expert on that, your thoughts?

airfreddy

[Denny of Oakland]

This is a synopsis of the definition of a light-sport aircraft category, the requirements to obtain a sport pilot certificate, and requirements to obtain a repairman certificate with a maintenance or inspection rating.

Light-Sport Aircraft:
· Maximum gross takeoff weight-1,320 lbs (599 kg.), 1,430 lbs. if float equipped.
· Lighter-than-air light-sport aircraft maximum gross weight-660 lbs (300 kg.)
· Maximum stall speed-51 mph (45 knots)
· Maximum speed in level flight with maximum continuous power (Vh)-138 mph (120 knots)
· Two-place maximum (pilot and one passenger)
· Day VFR operation only (unless the aircraft is equipped per FAR 91.209 and the pilot holds at least a Private Pilot certificate).
· Single, non-turbine engine only
· Fixed or ground adjustable propeller
· Unpressurized cabin
· Fixed landing gear
· Repositionable landing gear for seaplanes allowing the wheels to be rotated for amphibious operation.
· Can be manufactured and sold ready-to-fly under a new Special Light-Sport aircraft certification without FAR Part 23 compliance. Aircraft must meet ASTM (American Society of Testing and Materials, Int'l) consensus standards. Aircraft under this certification may be used for sport and recreation, flight training, and aircraft rental.
· Can be licensed Light-Sport Aircraft Experimental if kit- or plans-built. Aircraft under this certification may be used only for sport and recreation and flight instruction for the owner of the aircraft.
· Can be licensed Light-Sport Aircraft Experimental if it was kit- or plans-built and operated as an ultralight trainers. Application must be submitted within 36 months after the effective date of the rule.
· Will have FAA registration-"N" number.
· Aircraft category and class includes: Airplane (Land/Sea), Gyroplane, Airship, Balloon, Weight-Shift-Control (Trike Land/Sea), and Powered Parachute.
· U.S. or foreign manufacture of light-sport aircraft is authorized.

Aircraft with a standard airworthiness certificate that meet above specifications may be flown by sport pilots. However, that airworthiness certification category will not be changed to a light-sport aircraft. Holders of a sport pilot certificate may fly an aircraft with a standard airworthiness certificate if it meets the definition of a light-sport aircraft.

The Sport Pilot Rule:
A sport pilot may exercise flight privileges in one or more of the following aircraft categories:

· Airplane (single-engine only)
· Glider
· Lighter-than-air (airship or balloon)
· Rotorcraft (gyroplane only)
· Powered Parachute
· Weight-Shift controlled (e.g. Trikes)

Repairmen Certificates
The sport pilot/light-sport aircraft rule creates a new Repairmen Light-Sport Aircraft certificate-with either a maintenance or inspection rating. To obtain such a repairman certificate, you must demonstrate a skill level sufficient to determine the aircraft is in a condition enabling safe flight, and
· For a Inspection rating-complete a 16 hour course on the inspection requirements of the particular class of light-sport aircraft;
· For a Maintenance rating-complete a course - 120 hours (airplane category); 104 hours (weight shift or powered parachute); 80 hours (glider or lighter-than-air) -- on the maintenance requirements of the particular class of light-sport aircraft.

Maintenance-including all inspections on special light-sport airworthiness certificated aircraft-can be completed by:
· An appropriately rated mechanic-that is, A&P, IA
· An appropriately rated repair station;
· A repairman (light-sport aircraft) with a maintenance rating, or
· A certificated pilot (Sport Pilot rating or higher) may perform preventative maintenance.

Maintenance-including all inspections on experimental light-sport airworthiness certificated aircraft-can be completed by:
· An appropriately rated mechanic-that is, A&P, IA
· An appropriately rated repair station; or
· A repairman (light-sport aircraft) with a maintenance rating;

To perform inspections on your own aircraft, you must have a repairman's certificate (light-sport aircraft) with an inspection rating.