Sport Pilot Talk

This is somewhat irrelevant to a SP but a certified sport-pilot eligible plane may be flown IFR if properly equipped by an appropriately rated pilot. ASTM doesn't have an IFR standard for LSA at this point.

dstclair wrote:This is somewhat irrelevant to a SP but a certified sport-pilot eligible plane may be flown IFR if properly equipped by an appropriately rated pilot. ASTM doesn't have an IFR standard for LSA at this point.

Unless its certificated in the S-LSA category, and the manufacturer says "no" to IFR flying (or night flying for that matter).

comperini wrote:

drseti wrote: This does not make it an LSA.

Why wouldn't it? 14 CFR 1.1 defines a light sport aircraft, and pretty much says that any aircraft (regardless of how its certificated) is a light sport aircraft, if it meets all the requirements as defined there.

You are correct that CFR 1.1 lumps them all together, but other parts of the CFR's distinguish between Standard catagory, S-LSA, and E-LSA. The way the aircraft is certified makes a big difference in how and who can maintain the aircraft. I think the correct way to say it is it meets the requirements of a Light Sport Aircraft, because that is what the sport pilot needs.

comperini wrote:I just like keeping the number of terms to a minimum. That's my only reason for "voting" for the use of the term light-sport aircraft when referring to anything that meets that definition.

Bob, what you say makes perfect sense -- from the pilot's perspective. The reason I emphasized the different terms is that it makes a big difference from a maintenance point of view. I've had students go for the LSA repairman certificate, thinking they could use that to work on their Champ, Cub, or 'Coupe. Not so!

drseti wrote: I've had students go for the LSA repairman certificate, thinking they could use that to work on their Champ, Cub, or 'Coupe. Not so!

I hear ya! I've seen the same thing, with people who confuse the light-sport repairman certificate with the repairman certficate issued for an amateur-built plane, thinking they are interchangable.