Light Sport Weight Limit

[fatsportpilot]

I think it's pretty simply actually, if you don't like the LSA rules go get your PPL and fly a bigger plane that suits your new mission.

And for those of us who cannot get a medical due to insane restrictions? Got diagnosed with ADD as a kid? Grounded!

If it was just a matter of the extra training, then "just get a PPL" would be smart advice. But there are many of us who either can't, or don't want to, go through the hassle of trying to get a medical only to risk denial and being told you'll never be able to fly anything, not even LSA, ever again.

There is no actual scientific reason why someone on a well understood and stable medication can operate a 6 ton semi carrying flammable gasses, or operate the controls of a nuclear power plant, or do open heart surgery on children, but can't learn how to operate a constant speed prop on a 172.

[designrs]

There is no actual scientific reason why...

This! ... and after going through ALL OF THAT red tape, it often comes down to demonstrated ability checkride, which is where you started in the first place as a competent pilot.

[Type47]

This seems so obvious.
It seems to me that there should be progressions to the process.
Get light sport cert.
And then with training and sign off:
Add on controlled airspace.
Add night flight.
Add adjustable prop.
Add tailwheel.
Add IFR.
Add heavier aircraft.
Add up to 6 passengers/crew.
Etc.
The idea of having to do another complete oral and practical to get private pilot is absurd and a waste of money and time.
If you can do it, you can do it.
I know. It’s a pipedream.

[drseti]

I know that everyone has a right to vent, and that's fine. I just want to point out that many of the folks complaining the loudest about the LSA rules wouldn't have been allowed to fly at all, just 16 years ago. The Sport Pilot rule isn't perfect, but it's provided access to the skies for thousands of pilots who would otherwise be grounded. Let's adopt a glass half full attitude on these forums, instead of bashing the rules a vilifying the FAA.

[designrs]

Aviation Consumer list the Flight Design CT2 as having a gross weight limit of 1340. Is that the internal manufacturer spec, or for other classes, or did Flight Design get a waiver?

EE81504E-1832-4E4D-9A9F-DAE90D27760E.jpeg (118.38 KiB) Viewed 3522 times

[Warmi]

Aviation Consumer list the Flight Design CT2 as having a gross weight limit of 1340. Is that the internal manufacturer spec, or for other classes, or did Flight Design get a waiver?

EE81504E-1832-4E4D-9A9F-DAE90D27760E.jpeg

A waiver for 20 lbs ?

[FastEddieB]

Possibly just a typo?

[designrs]

Aviation Consumer list the Flight Design CT2 as having a gross weight limit of 1340. Is that the internal manufacturer spec, or for other classes, or did Flight Design get a waiver?

EE81504E-1832-4E4D-9A9F-DAE90D27760E.jpeg

A waiver for 20 lbs ?

I though it might be a waiver for equipment, kind of like a LSA seaplane with floats. There was talk a while back about the weight limit being raised for safety equipment such as the BRS chute.

[FastEddieB]

I know that everyone has a right to vent, and that's fine. I just want to point out that many of the folks complaining the loudest about the LSA rules wouldn't have been allowed to fly at all, just 16 years ago. The Sport Pilot rule isn't perfect, but it's provided access to the skies for thousands of pilots who would otherwise be grounded. Let's adopt a glass half full attitude on these forums, instead of bashing the rules a vilifying the FAA.

I agree 100%.

Just when annual Special Issuances to keep my medical became more and more onerous, and life changes diminished my need for Cirrus-like capabilities, Light Sport came along with near perfect timing.

And just when I started hankering for the ability to occasionally be PIC of a friend’s Citabria, Maule or Cirrus, BasicMed came along. Again with near perfect timing. It’s almost like the FAA’s guidance is, “What would help out Fast Eddie right now?”

To be fair, I do miss having the option to use my Commercial certificate to ferry planes and the like - I always found that enjoyable and the extra income was nice as well. Regardless, my aviation glass is way more than 1/2 full at this stage of my waning aviation career!

[designrs]

Good for you @FastEddieB!

[drseti]

Aviation Consumer list the Flight Design CT2 as having a gross weight limit of 1340.

They also reference F2, which I believe may be a European spec, not US LSA.

[designrs]

They also reference F2, which I believe may be a European spec, not US LSA.

Ah. So that explains it and provides insight to one of the European class specs.
Thanks.

[AviatorCrafty]

I know that everyone has a right to vent, and that's fine. I just want to point out that many of the folks complaining the loudest about the LSA rules wouldn't have been allowed to fly at all, just 16 years ago. The Sport Pilot rule isn't perfect, but it's provided access to the skies for thousands of pilots who would otherwise be grounded. Let's adopt a glass half full attitude on these forums, instead of bashing the rules a vilifying the FAA.

I agree 100%.

Just when annual Special Issuances to keep my medical became more and more onerous, and life changes diminished my need for Cirrus-like capabilities, Light Sport came along with near perfect timing.

And just when I started hankering for the ability to occasionally be PIC of a friend’s Citabria, Maule or Cirrus, BasicMed came along. Again with near perfect timing. It’s almost like the FAA’s guidance is, “What would help out Fast Eddie right now?”

To be fair, I do miss having the option to use my Commercial certificate to ferry planes and the like - I always found that enjoyable and the extra income was nice as well. Regardless, my aviation glass is way more than 1/2 full at this stage of my waning aviation career!

Can you make it helpful for you to be able to fly a 172 on a sport certificate with LSA 2023?

[Type47]

Actually, Government works for us.
I want what I want.
I am not thankful that government finally succumbed to common sense and “allowed” me my half full glass.
I want my full glass.

[Warmi]

Actually, Government works for us.
I want what I want.
I am not thankful that government finally succumbed to common sense and “allowed” me my half full glass.
I want my full glass.

Right... I find this mindset of “ just be happy you were allowed to “ actually quite depressing and exemplifying how far we have gone from the original “live and let live” promise ... even taking into account realities of modern age , we are so far removed from actually being able to influence anything that it is basically indistinguishable from a dictatorship...especially, given how much more we are dependent on various “tyrants three thousand miles away” vs what used to be local governance.

The FAA was put in place to codify, normalize and enforce rules governing various activities related to aviation but ultimately , like any other agency ,they only exist and work to serve us and our needs and therefore I don’t quite understand how complaining about their rule making can be construed as some sort of nuisance...