Q. What qualifies as an LSA?
A light-sport aircraft (LSA), or light sport aircraft, is a fairly new category of small, lightweight aircraft that are simple to fly.
Q. Are LSA aircraft certified?
Does a light-sport aircraft have a type certificate? No. S-LSA and E-LSA are not type certificated. Rather, they are issued a statement of compliance with industry standards.
Q. What does LSA mean in aviation?
light-sport aircraft
A special airworthiness certificate in the light-sport category is issued to an aircraft that meets the definition of light-sport aircraft (LSA), is manufactured to the applicable consensus standards, and is one of the following five classes of the LSA category: airplanes, gliders, powered parachutes, weight-shift- …
Q. What are the rules for light sport aircraft?
The Light Sport Aircraft Rule:
| Max. Gross Takeoff Weight | 1,320 lbs (1,430 lbs for seaplanes) |
|---|---|
| Max. Stall Speed | 51 mph / 45 knots CAS |
| Max. Speed in Level Flight (VH) | 138 mph / 120 knots CAS |
| Seats | Two (max.) |
| Engines / Motors | One (max. if powered.) |
Q. Does a Cessna 150 qualify for LSA?
No, the Cessna 150, 152, and 172 does not meet the definition of light-sport aircraft. All of these airplanes are over the maximum weight allowed for someone with only a sport pilot license to fly. This is a very commonly asked question since these Cessna planes are very popular and widely available.
Q. Does a recreational pilot need a medical?
Until now, the FAA has required private, recreational, and student pilots, as well as flight instructors, to meet the requirements of and hold a third class medical certificate. They are required to complete an online application and undergo a physical examination with an FAA-designated Aviation Medical Examiner.
Q. What is the safest LSA aircraft?
The safest light sport aircraft in its category is the AKOYA from Lisa Airplanes. It offers aerodynamic forms and practical design, focusing more on safety features. It has an aerodynamic fuselage that can withstand the short gusts of wind, and it has a glide ratio of 1:20.
Q. Can a sport pilot fly Elsa?
The two-seat trainers and the “fat” single-seaters could become legal as ELSAs after an inspection. The catch was that these two former ultralight aircraft types could then be flown only by pilots with at least a Sport Pilot license; ultralight-only pilots would not qualify.
Q. How far can a sport pilot fly?
10,000 ft
You can fly up to 10,000 ft MSL, or 2,000 ft AGL, whichever is higher. You can not fly at night. You cannot tow any object.
Q. Can a sport aircraft be re-certificated as a LSA?
The aircraft can not be re-certificated as LSA, however: although sport pilots may operate conventionally certificated aircraft that fall within the definition of an LSA, the aircraft themselves continue to be certificated in their original categories.
Q. How to contact FAA for light sport aircraft?
For additional information on light sport aircraft, contact the Small Airplane Standards Branch at [email protected] Light-Sport Aircraft Accepted Standards, FAA Notice of Availability (NOA) Information (PDF), the previously accepted consensus standard has been revised, and this NOA is accepting the later revision.
Q. When do light sport aircraft need to be licensed?
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 have been transitioned to E-LSA category no later than January 31, 2008. Will have a standard FAA registration – N-number.
Q. What’s the difference between LSA and ultralight aircraft?
LSAs tend to be heavier and more sophisticated than ultralight (aka “microlight”) aircraft, but LSA restrictions on weight and performance separates the category from established GA aircraft. There is no standard worldwide description of an LSA .
