Light Sport Aircraft survey

Bryan Martin wrote:
in article , Lakeview Bill at
wrote on 5/25/05 8:43 PM:


The Alaraus is not a Light Sport Aircraft by US standards.

Among other things, it has a gross weight of 1,692 lbs; the LSA maximum is
1,320 lbs for SEL.

And by definition, there cannot be an IFR certified LSA, as they are only
approved for day VFR as an LSA.



Sport PILOTS are prohibited from flying in IFR or at night, there's nothing
in the rules that prohibit an aircraft that otherwise fits the definition of
LSA from being flown in IFR or at night if it is properly equipped.

Actually... and I'm still researching this to be sure... but this might
not be the case. For either the SLSA or ELSA (or both, not sure), there
might be an automatic permanant inclusion of 'day VFR only' in the op
limits mandated by the rule!

Again, I"m not certain of this yet (nothing about SP is really very
certain ), but I think this will be the case..... All the more reason
to go experimental A/B, IMO.......

LS
N646F

A lack of time for research is the reason that I didn't reply to this...

From what I have read, an airplane must be certified for IFR, either from
the factory, or in the field. And it must have periodic inspections to
insure IFR certification. Again, this is just what I believe I have read.

But keep in mind that Light Sport Aircraft are not certificated in the same
manner as other aircraft. I doubt that there is even an IFR certification
available for a Light Sport Aircraft.



"ls" wrote in message
...
Bryan Martin wrote:
in article , Lakeview Bill
at
wrote on 5/25/05 8:43 PM:


The Alaraus is not a Light Sport Aircraft by US standards.

Among other things, it has a gross weight of 1,692 lbs; the LSA maximum
is
1,320 lbs for SEL.

And by definition, there cannot be an IFR certified LSA, as they are
only
approved for day VFR as an LSA.



Sport PILOTS are prohibited from flying in IFR or at night, there's
nothing
in the rules that prohibit an aircraft that otherwise fits the
definition of
LSA from being flown in IFR or at night if it is properly equipped.

Actually... and I'm still researching this to be sure... but this might
not be the case. For either the SLSA or ELSA (or both, not sure), there
might be an automatic permanant inclusion of 'day VFR only' in the op
limits mandated by the rule!

Again, I"m not certain of this yet (nothing about SP is really very
certain ), but I think this will be the case..... All the more reason
to go experimental A/B, IMO.......

LS
N646F

Lakeview Bill wrote:
A lack of time for research is the reason that I didn't reply to this...

From what I have read, an airplane must be certified for IFR, either from
the factory, or in the field. And it must have periodic inspections to
insure IFR certification. Again, this is just what I believe I have read.

But keep in mind that Light Sport Aircraft are not certificated in the same
manner as other aircraft. I doubt that there is even an IFR certification
available for a Light Sport Aircraft.

I appear to have been wrong. The preamble to the SP rule states:

"Light-sport aircraft issued an experimental light-sport or special
light-sport airworthiness certificate that are authorized to operate in
Class B, C, and D airspace must have the equipment for VFR or IFR
operations specified in the applicable consensus standards....."

which pretty clearly indicates that nothing in the rule limits ELSA or
SLSA from being IFR certified......

I also couldn't find anything in the amendments elsewhere (such as parts
21 or 91) that specifically restricted ELSA or SLSA from being IFR
certified.....

So I guess you can do it.... Not sure I'd want to fly an LSA in actual,
but hey maybe I'm just not that fun of a guy...

LS
N646F

[snippage for space]

Lakeview Bill wrote:

A lack of time for research is the reason that I didn't reply to this...

From what I have read, an airplane must be certified for IFR, either from
the factory, or in the field. And it must have periodic inspections to
insure IFR certification. Again, this is just what I believe I have read.

But keep in mind that Light Sport Aircraft are not certificated in the same
manner as other aircraft. I doubt that there is even an IFR certification
available for a Light Sport Aircraft.


If a plane is IFR rated, a sprot pile it may fly it fine, just not use
most of the gauges and stuff,,,,,,

the sprot pile it is limited, not the plane,,,,

however there are weight limits, seating, etc,

so an IFR plane may weigh too much, have complex controls, retracts,
that would preclude the sprot pile it from flying it even under the
sprot rules,,,,,,,,,

--
Mark Smith
Tri-State Kite Sales
1121 N Locust St
Mt Vernon, IN 47620
1-812-838-6351
http://www.trikite.com

My understanding was that the no IFR flying applies to the sport pilot not
to the aircraft. A private pilot or above could fly a SLSA IFR if it is
equipped with IFR instruments.

Jerry in NC

"ls" wrote in message
...
Bryan Martin wrote:
in article , Lakeview Bill at
wrote on 5/25/05 8:43 PM:


The Alaraus is not a Light Sport Aircraft by US standards.

Among other things, it has a gross weight of 1,692 lbs; the LSA maximum
is
1,320 lbs for SEL.

And by definition, there cannot be an IFR certified LSA, as they are only
approved for day VFR as an LSA.



Sport PILOTS are prohibited from flying in IFR or at night, there's
nothing
in the rules that prohibit an aircraft that otherwise fits the definition
of
LSA from being flown in IFR or at night if it is properly equipped.

Actually... and I'm still researching this to be sure... but this might
not be the case. For either the SLSA or ELSA (or both, not sure), there
might be an automatic permanant inclusion of 'day VFR only' in the op
limits mandated by the rule!

Again, I"m not certain of this yet (nothing about SP is really very
certain ), but I think this will be the case..... All the more reason to
go experimental A/B, IMO.......

LS
N646F

You are correct Jerry,
The plane itself can be IFR certified and capable of night flight, but
the sport pilot could not fly in those conditions. but a PPL can fly the
capable sport plane at night and with an instrument rating could fly the
same plane IFR. So when you build your 601 , put lights on it and
instruments ..it will be a light sport plane but will have a nice resale
value to PPL's as well

Patrick
student SPL
aircraft structural mech

"Jerry" wrote in message
news
My understanding was that the no IFR flying applies to the sport pilot not
to the aircraft. A private pilot or above could fly a SLSA IFR if it is
equipped with IFR instruments.

Jerry in NC