AeroSports Update: What’s The Difference Between An LSA And An Ultralight? | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-05.13.24

Airborne-NextGen-05.14.24

Airborne-Unlimited-05.15.24 Airborne-AffordableFlyers-05.16.24

Airborne-Unlimited-05.17.24

Mon, Nov 03, 2014

AeroSports Update: What’s The Difference Between An LSA And An Ultralight?

The Term Ultralight In The U.S. Means Something Different From The Same Term Used In Some Other Countries

The term light sport aircraft (LSA) is reserved for U.S. certification, but the term ultralight is used for a similar airplane in many other countries. That’s why it’s not uncommon to see a foreign manufacturer’s website use the term ultralight when referring to an LSA being offered in the U.S.

Under U.S. rules, ultralights are defined in FAR 103, and they are referred to as vehicles, not aircraft. They also must be a single-place vehicle of very light weight. In many other countries, ultralight certification looks very much like an LSA, but their foreign ultralight certification is not interchangeable to the U.S. light sport certification.

To be certified as an LSA the aircraft must comply with the industry ASTM standards, not the ultralight standards for the foreign manufacturer’s location. A foreign manufacturer of an ultralight that also meets the LSA definition must go through a separate certification process to call that aircraft an LSA.

The definition of a light sport aircraft is found in the Federal Aviation Regulations Part 1. Here is an abridged version of that description.

  • A maximum takeoff weight of not more than 1,320 pounds for aircraft not intended for operation on water, or 1,430 pounds for an aircraft intended for operation on water.
  • A maximum airspeed in level flight with maximum continuous power of not more than 120 knots.
  • A maximum stalling speed or minimum steady flight speed without the use of lift-enhancing devices of not more than 45 knots at the aircraft's maximum certificated takeoff weight.
  • A maximum seating capacity of two persons, including the pilot.
  • A single, reciprocating engine, if powered.
  • A fixed-pitch propeller or ground-adjustable propeller.
  • A fixed-pitch, semi-rigid, teetering, two-blade rotor system, if a gyroplane.
  • A non-pressurized cabin, if equipped with a cabin.
  • Fixed landing gear, except for an aircraft intended for operation on water or a glider.

Any aircraft the fits this description is okay for sport pilot operation regardless of the type of FAA certification it falls under. Despite the fact that a foreign-made aircraft certified as an ultralight meets all of the requirements listed above, it cannot be operated in the United States unless it also meets some sort of FAA certification.

FMI: www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/faa_regulations/a
 

Advertisement

More News

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (05.16.24): Instrument Runway

Instrument Runway A runway equipped with electronic and visual navigation aids for which a precision or nonprecision approach procedure having straight-in landing minimums has been>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (05.16.24)

Aero Linx: Alaska Airmen's Association The Alaska Airmen's Association includes over 2,000 members—we are one of the largest General Aviation communities in the country. We s>[...]

Airborne 05.15.24: Ghost Sq MidAir, B-2 Junked, Dream Chaser Readies

Also: Flt School Security, G600 Steep-Approach, Honduran Aid, PW545D Cert Two aircraft performing at the Fort Lauderdale Air Show clipped wings during a routine last Sunday, spooki>[...]

Airborne 05.10.24: Icon Auction, Drunk MedEvac Pilot, Bell ALFA

Also: SkyReach Parts Support, Piper Service Ctr, Airliner Near-Miss, Airshow London The Judge overseeing Icon's convoluted Chapter 11 process has approved $9 million in Chapter 11 >[...]

Airborne Affordable Flyers 05.16.24: PRA Runway, Wag-Aero Sold, Young Eagles

Also: Paramotor Champ's, Electric Ultralight, ICON BK Update, Burt Rutan at Oshkosh! The Popular Rotorcraft Association is reaching out for help in rebuilding their private runway >[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2024 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC