| Light-sport aircraft | |
|---|---|
| Three types of Light Sport Aircraft. In the foreground, an E-LSA Antares USA Ranger Weight-shift control trike. In the background, an S-LSA Evektor SportStar and an L-LSA Zlin Aviation Savage Cub. |
A Light-sport aircraft, also known as light sport aircraft or LSA, is a small aircraft that is simple to fly and which meets certain regulations set by a National aviation authority restricting weight and performance. For example, in Australia the Civil Aviation Safety Authority defines a light-sport aircraft as a heavier-than-air or lighter-than-air craft, other than a helicopter, with a maximum gross takeoff weight of not more than 560 kilograms (1,200 lb) for lighter-than-air craft; 600 kilograms (1,300 lb) for heavier-than-air craft not intended for operation on water; or 650 kilograms (1,400 lb) for aircraft intended for operation on water.[1] It must have a maximum stall speed of 45 knots (83 km/h; 52 mph) in landing configuration; a maximum of two seats; a maximum speed in level flight with maximum continuous power (Vh)—138 mph (120 knots) CAS; fixed undercarriage (except for amphibious aircraft which may have repositionable gear, and gliders which may have retractable gear); an unpressurized cabin; and a single non-turbine engine driving a propeller if it is a powered aircraft.[1]
Aircraft which qualify as LSA may be operated by holders of a Sport Pilot certificate, whether they are registered as Light Sport Aircraft or not. Pilots with a private, recreational, or higher pilot certificate may also fly LSA, even if their medical certificates have expired, so long as they have a valid driver's license to prove that they are in good enough health to fly. LSA also have less restrictive maintenance requirements and may be maintained and inspected by traditionally certificated Aircraft Maintenance Technicians, by individuals holding a Repairman: Light Sport certificate, and (in some cases) by their pilots and/or owners.
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Several different kinds of aircraft may be certificated as LSA. Airplanes (both powered and gliders), rotorcraft (gyroplanes only, not helicopters), powered parachutes, weight-shift control aircraft (commonly known as trikes), and lighter-than-air craft (free balloons and airships) may all be certificated as LSA if they fall within the weight and other guidelines established by the FAA.
The U.S. definition of an LSA is similar to most other countries' definition of "microlight" or "ultralight" aircraft. Except for the LSA's relatively generous MTOW of 1320 pounds, the other countries' microlight definitions are typically less restrictive, not limiting airspeed or the use of variable-pitch propellers.
By contrast, the U.S. FAA has a separate definition of ultralight aircraft defined in Federal Aviation Regulations. Aircraft falling within the U.S. ultralight specifications are extremely lightweight (less than 254 pounds if powered, or 155 pounds if unpowered), are intended for manned operation by a single occupant, have a fuel capacity of five U.S. gallons or less, a maximum calibrated airspeed of not more than 55 knots, and a maximum stall speed of not more than 24 knots. Ultralight aircraft in the U.S. do not require pilot licensing, medical certification, or aircraft registration.
Aircraft certified as light-sport aircraft exceed the limitations defined for ultralight aircraft and require that the pilot possess, at a minimum, a Sport Pilot certificate. Among these aircraft were found those that were specifically designed to meet the LSA requirements, as well as overweight ultralights (commonly known as "fat ultralights") that previously were operated in technical violation of 14 CFR 103.
In addition to aircraft specifically designed to meet the LSA requirements, certain certificated aircraft, such as the original Piper Cub, happen to fall within the definition of a light-sport aircraft and can be operated by individuals holding FAA Sport Pilot certificates. 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.
Several designers and manufacturers of experimental aircraft kits are working to develop models that are compliant with the light-sport aircraft rules.
The FAA's list: Light Sport Aircraft: Existing Type Certificated Models.
| Design | Manufacturer | Engine | Max. Cruise | Max. Range | Price | Orders | Availability | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sling 2 | The Airplane Factory | Rotax 912 ULS | 109 kn (201 km/h) | 810 NM (1500 km) | US$125,000 (Basic, Ready-to-Fly) | 30+ | 2011 | Certified RTF & Kit | |
| Czech Sport Aircraft - SportCruiser/PiperSport | Czech Sport Aircraft, s.a. | Rotax 912 ULS | 118 kn (218 km/h) | 600 NM (924 km) | 170+ delivered | Available since 2006 | Certified | ||
| Pipistrel Sinus LSA | Pipistrel | Rotax 912 80 hp | 120 kn (222 km/h) | 790 NM (1000 km) | €69,900 (Basic, ready to fly) [2] | 300+ | Available since 1995 | Certified Airplane & Glider RTF & Kit | |
| Pipistrel Virus LSA | Pipistrel | Rotax 912 80 hp | 120 kn (222 km/h) | 790 NM (1000 km) | €69,900 (Basic, ready to fly) [2] | 300+ | Available | Certified Airplane & Glider RTF & Kit | |
| Pipistrel Virus SW LSA | Pipistrel | Rotax 912 80 hp | 120 kn (222 km/h) | 790 NM (1000 km) | €76,000 (Basic, ready to fly) [2] | 300+ | Available | Certified LSA Airplane & Kit | |
| Pipistrel Taurus LSA | Pipistrel | Rotax 503 55 hp | 120 kn (222 km/h) | 150 NM (300km) | €89,500 (Basic, ready to fly) [2] | 300+ | Available | Certified LSA Glider | |
| Sting S4 | SportairUSA, LC (distributor) | Rotax 912 | 120 kn (222 km/h) | 790 NM (1000 km) | Sting.aero/pricing-options | 70+ | Available | Certified | |
| Hawk Arrow II SLSA | CGS Aviation | Rotax 582, Rotax 912, HKS 700e, HKS 700T, Jabiru 2200 | 70 kn (130 km/h) | 130 NM | US$44,995 (Basic) | 170+ (since 1992) | 2008 | Certified | |
| 3Xtrim Navigator 600 | 3Xtrim | 100 HP Rotax 912 ULS | 104 kn (193 km/h) | 747 NM | US$99,000 (Basic) | 2008 | Certified | ||
| ACS-100 Sora | Advanced Composite Solutions | 120 kn (222 km/h) | US$75,000 | Kit | |||||
| Aerotrek A240 (tricycle gear) or A220 (taildragger) (previously EuroFox) | Aeropro CZ / fly-Aerotrek.com | Rotax 912UL / ULS | 115 kn (213 km/h) | 570 NM (1056 km) | US$67,950 | 300+ sold. | since 1990. | Certified | |
| Breezer (80 hp) | Breezer Aircraft | Rotax 912 UL2 | 96 kn (178 km/h) | 497 NM (920 km) | |||||
| Ikarus C42 (80 hp) | Comco Ikarus | Rotax 912 UL2 | 105 kn 194 km/h | Certified | |||||
| Aviasud Mistral | Aviasud Engineering | Rotax 582 DCDI | 65 kn (120 km/h) | 270 NM, 500 km | |||||
| Cirrus SRS | Cirrus Design | Rotax 912 | 120 kn (222 km/h) | US$110,000-US$120,000 | Unknown, Project Suspended | Certified | |||
| CZAW Mermaid | CZAW /Wet Aero USA | Jabiru 3300 or Rotax 912S | 110 kn (204 km/h) | 450 NM (833 km) | US$155,000 , no kits | 2006 | Certified | ||
| Europa XS | Europa Aircraft (2004) | Rotax 912 / 912 S / 914 or Jabiru Aircraft | 120 kn (222 km/h) | 750 NM | US$40,500 w/o engine | 2009 | Kit | ||
| Allegro 2007 | FANTASY AIR | Rotax 912 or Rotax 912S | 119 kn (220 km/h) | 750 NM (1400 km) | US$82,000 | 2008 | Certified | ||
| Flight Design CTSW | Flight Design | Rotax 912 S | 120 kn (222 km/h) | 540 NM (1000 km) | US$101,390 | 150+ | 2005 | Certified | |
| Sport Hornet LRS | Higher Class Aviation | Rotax 912 or Rotax 582 | 100 kn (185 km/h) | 450 NM (833 km) | US$59,995 (Rotax 582 $45K), (kit $20K w/o engine) | 40+ | 2009 | Certified | |
| Icon A5 | Icon Aircraft | Rotax 912 ULS | 105 kn (195 km/h) | 300 NM (556 km) | US$139,000 | 700[3] | 2013 | ||
| Kitfox | Kitfox Aircraft | Rotax 912S | 109 kn (201 km/h) | 530 NM (980 km) | US$25,000 (kit price) | 4000+ (since 1984) | 2008 | Elsa Kit/Certified | |
| Paradise P-I | Paradise Aircraft | 100 HP Rotax 912ULS | 120 kn (184 km/h) | 747 NM (1385 km) | US$108,800 (Basic) | 2008 | Certified | ||
| Cheetah XLS | Rainbow Aircraft (pty) ltd. | Rotax 912 or Rotax 582 or Jabiru 2200A | 83 kn (153 km/h) | 450 NM (833 km) | US$48,450 (Rotax 582 ), (kit US$22,000) | 100+ | 2001 | Elsa Kit/Certified | |
| Remos G-3 | Remos Aircraft | Rotax 912ULS 100HP | 120 kn (222 km/h) | 550 NM / 1000 km | US$109,500 | 2007 | Certified | ||
| Remos GX | Remos Aircraft | Rotax 912 ULS 100HP | 115 kn (212 km/h) | 450 NM (833 km) | US$$125,000 | Certified | |||
| SKYLEADER 500 LSA | JIHLAVAN airplanes, s.r.o. | Rotax 912S or 914 Turbo | 120 kn (222 km/h) | 520 NM (960 km) | US$113,000 | 140+ | 2008 | Certified | |
| Tecnam P2004 | Tecnam Aircraft | Rotax 912S | 116 kn (222 km/h) | US$99,900 | 100+ | 2005 | Certified | ||
| AMD Zodiac (S-LSA) | Zenith Aircraft Company (Kit) | Continental O-200 + Others | 120 kn (222 km/h) | US$84,900 | Certified | ||||
| Skyeton K-10 Swift | Skyeton | Rotax 912 ULS 100HP | 120 kn (222 km/h) | 486 NM (900 km) | US$70,00 (Basic) | 2006 | Certified | ||
| Storm Rally | Storm Aircraft | Rotax 912 ULS | 120 kn (222 km/h) | 450 NM (830 km) | US$109,999 (Standard) | 2004 | Certified | ||
| Storm Century | Storm Aircraft | Rotax 912 ULS | 120 kn (222 km/h) | 450 NM (830 km) | US$111,999 (Standard) | 2004 | Certified |
Canadian Advanced Ultralight Aircraft