light sport aviation

Presented to: US/Europe International Aviation Safety Conference

By: Kim K. Smith, Manager, Small Airplane Directorate and Larry L. Buchanan, Manager, Light Sport Aviation Branch

Date: June 5, 2008

Federal AviationAdministration

Aircraft and Pilot Overview

Light Sport Aviation

2 2Federal AviationAdministration

Light Sport Aviation OverviewJune 5, 2008

Goals of Light Sport Effort• Develop aircraft design & airworthiness

standards for the unregulated segment of the aircraft market.

• Develop pilot standards for sport pilots – they previously did not exist.

• Target continuous improvement of GA safety by leveraging Light Sport Aviation industry experience and maturity.

• Provide standardization and minimum requirements for existing and new designs.



Expected Level of Safety for LSA

The expected level of safety of an LSA is not the same as Part 23 certificated products, nor is the level of FAA oversight the same

• LSA Rule raises the level of safety (via Consensus Standards) on a previously unregulated segment of aviation

• Bridges gap between Ultralights and Part 23.

• Raise the level of safety, but still not expected to meet Part 23.



Expected Level of Safety for LSA

Part 103

Part 23

103 Training Exemption

-Consensus Standard-Statement of Compliance

-Type Certificate-Production Certificate

-No Design Standards-No Manufacturing Standards

Amateur Built

SpecialLight-sport

Kit-BuiltLight-Sport

“Existing”Light-sport

Level of Certitude



LSA Program Accomplishments

• The first SLSASLSA airworthiness certificates were issued in April, 2005

• Since then – over 75 different manufacturers have produced “ready-to-fly” airplanes, powered parachutes (PPC), and Weight-Shift Control (WSC - i.e., “trikes”) that have been registered as SLSASLSA.

Over 1100 such aircraft have now received SLSASLSA airworthiness certificates



LSA Operational Safety

• Indications from Office of Accident Investigation:LSA safety is continually improvingAccident rate extremely low

• Assessment of the accident data would indicate, at this time, the LSA consensus standards and program boundaries are working well

• The safety record is being monitored very closely to be looking for trends that might indicate areas needing improvement



The Light Sport Rule - Purpose

Provide for the manufacture of Light-Sport Aircraft (LSA) that are safe for their intended use through:

Consensus Standards

Continued Airworthiness

Safety Directives



Supporting FAA Regulations

14 CFR Part 21, §21.190(c)

Requirement for manufacturers to list the applicable consensus standards, provide a statement of compliance with the standards, and provide a statement of conformity of the aircraft to the design data, using the manufacturer’s quality assurance system that meets the standards



Definition of a Light-Sport Aircraft (LSA)LSA means an aircraft, other than a helicopter or powered lift that, since its original certification, has continued to meet the following:

• Max takeoff weight (MTOW) of not more than:

• 1320 pounds (600 kilograms) for all land aircraft

• 1430 pounds (650 kilograms) for aircraft intended for operation on water

• Max speed (Vh) –120 knots (138 mph); Glider Vne –120 knots

– Max stall speed – not more than 45 knots (52 mph)

• 2 seats max; non-pressurized; single reciprocating engine

• Fixed or ground adjustable propeller; auto-feather for glider

• Fixed landing gear, except for an aircraft intended for operation on water or a glider (retractable gear allowed)



How are LSA certificated?• The FAA does not issue Type Certificates (TC) or

Production Certificates (PC) for LSA• Each aircraft is certificated individually• There are two classes of LSA airworthiness certificates,

Special (SLSASLSA) and Experimental (ELSAELSA)

SLSA: aircraft manufactured to consensus standards and delivered in a “ready-to-fly” condition

ELSA: aircraft assembled from a manufacturer’s “kit” that meets a consensus standard; or an SLSA aircraft converted to ELSA

• These aircraft are not eligible for compensation or hire• No longer need to meet manufacturer’s/standard’s

requirements



Consensus Standards Process

• ASTM International was selected as the standards development organization, and the FAA has been working within their process for the development, approval, and revision of the standards

• The FAA accepts, not approves the standards (Ref. OMB Circular A-119, Rev. Feb. 10, 1998)

• The FAA does not require a specific number of standards

• The FAA does not have veto authority of the standards content or requirements



Consensus Standards Topics

• The LSA Rule called for consensus standards in nine different subject areas Design and performance Required equipment Quality assurance Production acceptance tests Aircraft operating instructions Maintenance and inspection procedures Identification and recording of major repairs and

alterations Continued airworthiness Kit assembly instructions



Flight Standards Overview

The “Sport Pilot and Light-Sport Aircraft” rules address the certification of –

• Sport pilot and flight instructor with a sport rating

• Repairmen

• Inspection and maintenance of the new experimental and special light-sport aircraft



What are the Public Benefits?Impacts a large population – Airmen and Aircraft

• Operate an FAA registered and certificated aircraft Aircraft inspected and maintained by certificated airman Purchase “Ready to Fly Aircraft”

• Comp or hire: Flight Training/Rental

• Hold an FAA Pilot Certificate Carry a passenger Flight instruct

Provides for better access to: Insurance, financing,airports, and increased acceptance by generalaviation community



What are the Classes of Light-Sport Aircraft (LSA)?

The definition limits LSA to small, simple‑to‑operate, & low‑performance aircraft.

May include several aircraft types –• Fixed-wing

• Gliders

• Powered parachutes

• Lighter-than-air

• Weight-shift-control (trikes)

• Gyroplanes



What is Not a Light-Sport Aircraft?

• Part 103 Ultralights

(powered/unpowered)– Hanglider

– Paraglider

• Multiengine aircraft

• Powered lift

• Helicopters

• Complex aircraft Retractable gear Controllable pitch

propeller



What are the Previously Certificated Aircraft?

• Standard CategoryPiper, Aeronca, Luscombe, Taylorcraft, Ercoupe, etc.

• Experimental Amateur-BuiltKit Fox, Rans, Air Creation

• Other (Primary Category)

• FAA will post list on AFS-610 website



Aircraft Operated by Sport Pilots

Newly Manufactured“Ready-to-Fly”

Newly Manufactured

“Kit-Built”

Standard Category

Amateur Built

Transitioned “Ultralight Like”

Aircraft



What Are the Part 91 Requirements?

• Recreational and Sport PilotsOperations in Class B Airspace

• Student Pilots (seeking sport pilot)Operations in Class B, C, and D

• PPCTraffic Pattern Right of Way

• PPC, GyroVFR – Night



What are the Medical Certificate Requirements for Sport Pilot?

Operations Requiring A Medical Or U.S. Driver’s License - Other Than Balloon or Glider

• Student Pilot Seeking Sport Pilot Privileges

• A Pilot Exercising the Privileges of a Sport Pilot Certificate

• A Flight Instructor Acting As PIC of a Light-sport Aircraft

FAR 61.23



A Person Using a Current and Valid U.S. Driver’s License Must….

• Comply With Each Restriction and Limitation Imposed on Your Drivers License

• Comply With Any Judicial or Administrative Order Applying To The Operation of a Motor Vehicle

FAR 61.23



Certification of Repairmen



Light - Sport Repairmen

• There is only one Repairman (Light-sport aircraft) Certificate.

• Eligible for two ratings: Inspection

Maintenance



What’s next for the LSA Certification Program?

• Manufacturer “LSA audits” by the FAA

• Monitor operational safety of the growing fleet

• Determine appropriate compliance/enforcement policy

• Review training programs: FAA/Designees/Industry - worldwide

light sport aviation

Documents