What is, and what isn't, a Light Sport Aircraft seems to be questioned and debated in many of the RV12 threads. Often, we forget that there are several categories of LSA
- LSA, Standard Airworthiness
- S-LSA, Special LSA
- E-LSA, Experimental
- Experimental Amateur-Built
Often not recognized is that an experimental amateur-built aircraft, meeting the requirements of an LSA, also qualifies as an aircraft that can be flown by an LSA pilot.
I think that the confusion of what aircraft do and don't meet the LSA requirements revolves around the experimental category. In simple terms, any experimental amateur-built aircraft that meets the definition of an LSA (see below) can be flown by a sport pilot. An aircraft that is registered as an E-LSA aircraft is not subject to the 51% rule. This portion of the rule was created for those pilots/builders that have "fat" Part 103 aircraft. It gave those operators the ability to bring those aircraft into the LSA regs, even though the aircraft don't meet the amateur-built (51%) rule.
Another difference between the E-LSA aircraft and one that is Experimental, Amateur-Built is an aircraft that is registered as E-LSA requires that the owner undergo training to perform maintenance on the aircraft, where an Experimental, Amateur-Built aircraft does not have the training requirement.
Now, with all of that said, it is my hope that the RV12 will simply be an Experimental Amateur-Built aircraft that meets the requirements of the LSA category. I copied the following from the EAA's website:
Any aircraft that meets the definition of a light-sport aircraft as called out in FAR Part 1.1 is eligible to be operated by a sport pilot. These aircraft can be certificated in any category, such as standard, experimental amateur-built, experimental exhibition, experimental light-sport aircraft (E-LSA), or special light-sport aircraft (S-LSA).
Light-Sport Aircraft:
The FAA defines a light-sport aircraft as an aircraft, other than a helicopter or powered-lift that, since its original certification, has continued to meet the following:
? Maximum gross takeoff weight?1,320 lbs, or 1,430 lbs for seaplanes.
? Lighter-than-air 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)
? Single or two-seat aircraft only
? Single, reciprocating engine (if powered), including rotary or diesel engines
? Fixed or ground-adjustable propeller
? Unpressurized cabin
? Fixed landing gear, except for an aircraft intended for operation on water or a glider
? Can be manufactured and sold ready-to-fly under a new Special Light-Sport aircraft certification category. Aircraft must meet industry consensus standards. Aircraft under this certification may be used for sport and recreation, flight training, and aircraft rental.
? Can be licensed Experimental Light-Sport Aircraft (E-LSA) 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 Experimental Light-Sport Aircraft (E-LSA) if the aircraft has previously been operated as an ultralight but does not meet the FAR Part 103 definition of an ultralight vehicle. These aircraft must be transitioned to E-LSA category no later than January 31, 2008.
? Will have FAA registration?N-number.
? Aircraft category and class includes: Airplane (Land/Sea), Gyroplane, Airship, Balloon, Weight-Shift-Control ("Trike" Land/Sea), Glider, 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, the aircraft must remain in standard category and cannot be changed to light-sport aircraft category. 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.
? May be operated at night if the aircraft is equipped per FAR 91.205, if such operations are allowed by the aircraft's operating limitations and the pilot holds at least a Private Pilot certificate and a minimum of a third-class medical.
- LSA, Standard Airworthiness
- S-LSA, Special LSA
- E-LSA, Experimental
- Experimental Amateur-Built
Often not recognized is that an experimental amateur-built aircraft, meeting the requirements of an LSA, also qualifies as an aircraft that can be flown by an LSA pilot.
I think that the confusion of what aircraft do and don't meet the LSA requirements revolves around the experimental category. In simple terms, any experimental amateur-built aircraft that meets the definition of an LSA (see below) can be flown by a sport pilot. An aircraft that is registered as an E-LSA aircraft is not subject to the 51% rule. This portion of the rule was created for those pilots/builders that have "fat" Part 103 aircraft. It gave those operators the ability to bring those aircraft into the LSA regs, even though the aircraft don't meet the amateur-built (51%) rule.
Another difference between the E-LSA aircraft and one that is Experimental, Amateur-Built is an aircraft that is registered as E-LSA requires that the owner undergo training to perform maintenance on the aircraft, where an Experimental, Amateur-Built aircraft does not have the training requirement.
Now, with all of that said, it is my hope that the RV12 will simply be an Experimental Amateur-Built aircraft that meets the requirements of the LSA category. I copied the following from the EAA's website:
Any aircraft that meets the definition of a light-sport aircraft as called out in FAR Part 1.1 is eligible to be operated by a sport pilot. These aircraft can be certificated in any category, such as standard, experimental amateur-built, experimental exhibition, experimental light-sport aircraft (E-LSA), or special light-sport aircraft (S-LSA).
Light-Sport Aircraft:
The FAA defines a light-sport aircraft as an aircraft, other than a helicopter or powered-lift that, since its original certification, has continued to meet the following:
? Maximum gross takeoff weight?1,320 lbs, or 1,430 lbs for seaplanes.
? Lighter-than-air 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)
? Single or two-seat aircraft only
? Single, reciprocating engine (if powered), including rotary or diesel engines
? Fixed or ground-adjustable propeller
? Unpressurized cabin
? Fixed landing gear, except for an aircraft intended for operation on water or a glider
? Can be manufactured and sold ready-to-fly under a new Special Light-Sport aircraft certification category. Aircraft must meet industry consensus standards. Aircraft under this certification may be used for sport and recreation, flight training, and aircraft rental.
? Can be licensed Experimental Light-Sport Aircraft (E-LSA) 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 Experimental Light-Sport Aircraft (E-LSA) if the aircraft has previously been operated as an ultralight but does not meet the FAR Part 103 definition of an ultralight vehicle. These aircraft must be transitioned to E-LSA category no later than January 31, 2008.
? Will have FAA registration?N-number.
? Aircraft category and class includes: Airplane (Land/Sea), Gyroplane, Airship, Balloon, Weight-Shift-Control ("Trike" Land/Sea), Glider, 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, the aircraft must remain in standard category and cannot be changed to light-sport aircraft category. 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.
? May be operated at night if the aircraft is equipped per FAR 91.205, if such operations are allowed by the aircraft's operating limitations and the pilot holds at least a Private Pilot certificate and a minimum of a third-class medical.