Non RV: LSA Reg Question

[McFly]

I have $1.00 riding on the answer.

What is the maximum allowable HP of a LSA aircraft? Thanks.

[Mike_ExpressCT]

There is no max. h.p. limitation on LSA's. The only thing it really says about the engine at all is that it can't have an in-flight-adjustable prop.

www.sportpilot.org for more info.

[osxuser]

I do believe there is no takeoff HP limit for LSA, but there is a 100HP cap on MAX CONTINUOUS power if I'm not mistaken.

[RVbySDI]

Originally Posted by osxuser

I do believe there is no takeoff HP limit for LSA, but there is a 100HP cap on MAX CONTINUOUS power if I'm not mistaken.

Not aware of that requirement. There is a max weight (1320 lbs), max seats (2), max speed (120 knots), max stall speed (45 knots), no retracts (except for amphibious floats) and non flight adjustable prop (ground adjstable ok). I am not familiar with any HP restriction.

Try this link from EAA for an overview of the LSA requirements.
http://www.sportpilot.org/learn/aircraft_index.html

[Mike Armstrong]

Originally Posted by McFly

Non RV: LSA Reg Question

Actually, if all goes well, this will be an 'RV' question

[ddurakovich]

Originally Posted by RVbySDI

Not aware of that requirement. There is a max weight (1320 lbs), max seats (2), max speed (120 knots), max stall speed (45 knots), no retracts (except for amphibious floats) and non flight adjustable prop (ground adjstable ok). I am not familiar with any HP restriction.

Why do I have the feeling that the first time somone tries to get their brand new "Greasy Weasel", powered by a "derated" IO-540, certified as a LSA at 1320 #'s and 120 kts cruise, the Fed's are going to open up that discussion?

[RVbySDI]

Originally Posted by ddurakovich

Why do I have the feeling that the first time somone tries to get their brand new "Greasy Weasel", powered by a "derated" IO-540, certified as a LSA at 1320 #'s and 120 kts cruise, the Fed's are going to open up that discussion?

This is an interesting thought. I have heard a story (third hand at least so not sure to believe it or not) of a guy who put a jet engine on a part 103 ultralight. It met all of the legal requirements for weight, etc. for the ultralight but was powered by a powerful small jet engine. I am sure that scared the beegezus out of some FAA bureaucrat!

[N941WR]

Originally Posted by RVbySDI

This is an interesting thought. I have heard a story (third hand at least so not sure to believe it or not) of a guy who put a jet engine on a part 103 ultralight. It met all of the legal requirements for weight, etc. for the ultralight but was powered by a powerful small jet engine. I am sure that scared the beegezus out of some FAA bureaucrat!

True story, he even brought it to OSH a few years back.

As for the HP question...

Last night at our EAA 309 chapter meeting we had an LSA instructor as a guest speaker and his answer was that there is no limit on LSA HP. Just GRW, # of seats, stall speed, etc.

[mlw450802]

Originally Posted by N941WR

...
As for the HP question...

Last night at our EAA 309 chapter meeting we had an LSA instructor as a guest speaker and his answer was that there is no limit on LSA HP. Just GRW, # of seats, stall speed, etc.

While it is strictly correct that no maximum horsepower is explicitly stated in the LSA regs, the horsepower is in fact limited due to the requirement that you cannot exceed 120 kts when running at the engine's rated maximum continuous power. I imagine an arbitrary derating of a large engine by a builder will push the spirit if not the letter of the reg.

[osxuser]

Jabiru has already pushed it with their 3300 I believe in a couple of the LSA... It does 120 knots at an artificially low max continous power setting.