Light-sport aircraft segment is the fastest-growing in the US

15 September 2007

We all know there's an aviation boom. But, the heaviest surge seems to be in its lightest segment. By Ashwin Tombat

The newly simplified and inexpensive availability of light-sport aircraft (LSAs), has meant that they have become the fastest growing segment in aviation. Oshkosh AirVenture, the United States' largest fly-in air show, set record attendance levels this year, with an estimated 560,000 attendees, a 3.2 per cent increase from 2006.

Consider the following facts:

• The light-sport aircraft industry's near-term growth exceeds that of recreational vehicles, motorcycles, and watercraft combined
• At an average of just $100,000 per aircraft, the National Consortium for Aviation Mobility, NCAM, anticipates the light-sport aircraft industry to grow to $2.5 billion over the next ten years in the United States alone.
• The results from the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA's) Forecast Conference of 2007 include a 1,730 per cent increase in the number of new sports pilots that will be certified during the next 15 years.

What's a light-sport plane?
The FAA defines a light-sport aircraft as a plane with a maximum gross takeoff weight of less than 600 kg (1,320 lb) for aircraft designed to operate from land, or 649 kg (1,430 lb) for seaplanes. Its maximum airspeed in level flight should not exceed 120 knots (222 km/h), and its maximum stall speed 45 knots (83 km/h). It can't have more than two seats; must have a fixed undercarriage; fixed-pitch or ground adjustable propeller; and a single reciprocating engine.

LSAs can be operated by holders of a Sport Pilot certificate, which is much easier to get than a conventional private, recreational, or commercial pilot licence required for conventionally certificated aircraft. LSAs also have less restrictive maintenance requirements and can even be maintained by their pilots and/or owners.

Apart from airplanes, gyroplane rotorcraft (not true helicopters), powered parachutes, weight-shift control aircraft, and lighter-than-air craft (balloons and airships) can all be certificated as LSA if they fall within the FAA guidelines.

Most other countries more broadly licence 'microlight' or 'ultralight' aircraft. And, other countries' microlight definitions are typically less restrictive, not limiting airspeed or the use of variable-pitch propellers.