Light Sport Aviation

1. Light Sport Aviation Aircraft and Pilot Overview

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Expected Level of Safety for LSA Level of Certitude Part 23 -Type Certificate -Production Certificate -Consensus Standard -Statement of Compliance Special Light-sport Kit-Built Light-Sport -No Design Standards -No Manufacturing Standards “Existing” Light-sport Amateur Built Part 103 103 Training Exemption

5. LSA Program Accomplishments • The first SLSA 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 SLSA. • Over 1100 such aircraft have now received SLSA airworthiness certificates

6. LSA Operational Safety • Indications from Office of Accident Investigation: • LSA safety is continually improving • Accident 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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)

10. How are LSA certificated? • The FAAdoes notissue Type Certificates (TC) or Production Certificates (PC) for LSA • Each aircraft is certificated individually • There are two classes of LSA airworthiness certificates, Special (SLSA) and Experimental (ELSA) • 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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 general aviation community

15. 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

16. Part 103 Ultralights (powered/unpowered) Hanglider Paraglider Multiengine aircraft Powered lift Helicopters Complex aircraft Retractable gear Controllable pitch propeller What is Not a Light-Sport Aircraft?

17. What are the Previously Certificated Aircraft? • Standard Category • Piper, Aeronca, Luscombe, Taylorcraft, Ercoupe, etc. • Experimental Amateur-Built • Kit Fox, Rans, Air Creation • Other (Primary Category) • FAA will post list on AFS-610 website

18. Aircraft Operated by Sport Pilots Transitioned “Ultralight Like” Aircraft Newly Manufactured “Kit-Built” Standard Category Newly Manufactured “Ready-to-Fly” Amateur Built

19. What Are the Part 91 Requirements? • Recreational and Sport Pilots • Operations in Class B Airspace • Student Pilots (seeking sport pilot) • Operations in Class B, C, and D • PPC • Traffic Pattern Right of Way • PPC, Gyro • VFR – Night

20. 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

21. 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

22. Certification of Repairmen

23. Light - Sport Repairmen • There is only one Repairman (Light-sport aircraft) Certificate. • Eligible for two ratings: • Inspection • Maintenance

24. 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