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 Aviation Administration Aircraft and Pilot Overview Light Sport Aviation

2 Federal Aviation Administration Light Sport Aviation Overview June 5, 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 Federal Aviation Administration Light Sport Aviation Overview June 5, 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 Federal Aviation Administration Light Sport Aviation Overview June 5, Expected Level of Safety for LSA Part 103 Part Training Exemption -Consensus Standard -Statement of Compliance -Type Certificate -Production Certificate -No Design Standards -No Manufacturing Standards Amateur Built Special Light-sport Kit-Built Light-Sport Existing Light-sport Level of Certitude

5 Federal Aviation Administration Light Sport Aviation Overview June 5, LSA Program Accomplishments SLSAThe first SLSA airworthiness certificates were issued in April, 2005 SLSASince 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. SLSA Over 1100 such aircraft have now received SLSA airworthiness certificates

6 Federal Aviation Administration Light Sport Aviation Overview June 5, 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 Federal Aviation Administration Light Sport Aviation Overview June 5, 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 Federal Aviation Administration Light Sport Aviation Overview June 5, 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 manufacturers quality assurance system that meets the standards

9 Federal Aviation Administration Light Sport Aviation Overview June 5, 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 Federal Aviation Administration Light Sport Aviation Overview June 5, How are LSA certificated? The FAA does not issue Type Certificates (TC) or Production Certificates (PC) for LSA Each aircraft is certificated individually SLSAELSAThere 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 manufacturers 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 manufacturers/standards requirements

11 Federal Aviation Administration Light Sport Aviation Overview June 5, 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 Federal Aviation Administration Light Sport Aviation Overview June 5, 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 Federal Aviation Administration Light Sport Aviation Overview June 5, 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 Federal Aviation Administration Light Sport Aviation Overview June 5, 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 Federal Aviation Administration Light Sport Aviation Overview June 5, 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 Federal Aviation Administration Light Sport Aviation Overview June 5, 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

17 Federal Aviation Administration Light Sport Aviation Overview June 5, 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 Federal Aviation Administration Light Sport Aviation Overview June 5, Aircraft Operated by Sport Pilots Newly Manufactured Ready-to-Fly Newly Manufactured Kit-Built Standard Category Amateur Built Transitioned Ultralight Like Aircraft

19 Federal Aviation Administration Light Sport Aviation Overview June 5, 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 Federal Aviation Administration Light Sport Aviation Overview June 5, What are the Medical Certificate Requirements for Sport Pilot? Operations Requiring A Medical Or U.S. Drivers 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 Federal Aviation Administration Light Sport Aviation Overview June 5, A Person Using a Current and Valid U.S. Drivers 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 Federal Aviation Administration Light Sport Aviation Overview June 5, Certification of Repairmen

23 Federal Aviation Administration Light Sport Aviation Overview June 5, Light - Sport Repairmen There is only one Repairman (Light-sport aircraft) Certificate. Eligible for two ratings: Inspection Maintenance

24 Federal Aviation Administration Light Sport Aviation Overview June 5, Whats 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