Overview of the newly introduced Light-Sport Aircraft
Rule in the USA
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. For
more complete details, see EAA's final analysis of the rule.
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.
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.
Other LSA Maintenance Options
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.
More extensive training can lead to a general repairman's certificate
(similar to IA, inspection authorization) for operations such as dealers,
manufacturers, etc.
