What is a Light Sport Aircraft?
Light Sport Aircraft can come in many shapes, forms and designs. They can be built by manufacturers, from kits and even be home built and designed. Additional registration and inspection procedures may be applicable depending on the source of your LSA.
In the US the FAA says that a Light Sport Aircraft meets the following conditions.
- A Simple, low-performance, low-energy aircraft including airplanes, gliders, gyroplanes, balloons, airships, weight-shift control (trikes), and powered parachutes. Having a maximum weight of 1,320 pounds (1,430 pounds seaplanes).
- A Single reciprocating engines (which includes diesel and rotary engines, but does not allow jet engines). A Maximum stall speed of 45 knots (52 mph with no lift-enhancing devices). A Maximum top speed of 120 knots (138 mph).
- Fixed landing gear (except if equipped with amphibious floats, which can be repositionable once in flight).
- Fixed-pitch propeller (unless equipment is ground-only repositionable).
LSA News brings you news and articles from the LSA industry and is an excellent source of information for all of your LSA and Sport Pilot questions. LSA Manufacturers, Owners, Industry Vendors and LSA Operators including Sport Pilot license holders can all utilize the news and information available at Light Sport Aircraft News to stay current and up to date on the latest industry trends.
