"Matthew P. Cummings" wrote in message
The planes you mentioned have a higher gross weight than 1,232 lbs and
exceed the VNE as well.

You are mistaken. These aircraft fit the Light Sport classification in all
respects.

Rans Cyotee II - 540lb useful load
Avid Aircraft Mark IV - 540lb useful load
Zenith Zodiac 601 - 542lb useful load
Fisher Dakota Hawk - 550lb useful load
Sonex ltd. Sonex - 550lb useful load
Aerocomp Merlin - 600lb useful load
Capella XLS - 600lb useful load
CGS Hawk Arrow 2 - 600lb useful load
Skystar Kitfox Classic 4 - 650lb useful load

Take 2 190 lbs adults, that 380 lbs, subtracted
from 1,232 gives 852 lbs for the aircraft and fuel. Assume 26 gal of
fuel,
subtract 156 lbs from 852 giving 696 lbs for you plane.

A 1969 Cessna 150 has a useful load of only 540 lbs.
It has 22.5 gallons of fuel and a no reserve endurance of 4.1 hours.
This gives a fuel burn of 5.5 gal/hr.
The extra 3.5 gallons is unusable and makes up 21 lbs of the empty weight.

A Zenith Zodiac has a very similar useful load of 542 lbs. Let's compare.

2 x 190 = 380 lbs. (for occupants)
22.5 x 6 = 135 lbs. (for fuel)
380 + 135 = 515 lbs.
540 - 515 = 25 lbs. (remaining)
For the Cessna 150, full fuel would leave only 25 lbs for baggage.

Now for the Zodiac. First we need to figure how much fuel we need to match.
The Rotax 100HP 912S engine only burns 4.9 gal/hr @ 75 HP.
4.1 hours endurance x 4.9 gal/hr = 20.1 gallons
20.1 x 6 = 120.6 lbs. Let's round up to 121 lbs.
380 + 121 = 501 lbs.
542 - 501 = 41 lbs. (remaining)

Compared to a Cessna 150, Zodiac:
Has 16 more lbs. for baggage.
Cruises 17 mph faster.
Climbs 310 fpm faster.
Has a wider cockpit.
And is stressed to +/- 6.4 Gee's

You can buy a Zodiac ready-to-fly today for $42,500 plus shipping.
If Light Sport becomes law, this aircraft would be legal to fly already
assembled.
If a Cessna 150 is adequate then a Zodiac is more than adequate.
This will change the value of a Cessna 150.