A look forward at the LSA weight rule adjustments.

Talk about airplanes! At last count, there are 39 (and growing) FAA certificated S-LSA (special light sport aircraft). These are factory-built ready to fly airplanes. If you can't afford a factory-built LSA, consider buying an E-LSA kit (experimental LSA - up to 99% complete).

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stevem
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Joined: Thu Apr 19, 2012 12:01 pm
Location: Arkansas

A look forward at the LSA weight rule adjustments.

Post by stevem »

A look forward at the LSA weight rule adjustments.

From the Vicker’s Aircraft web site:
“After many months we can finally announce that Vickers Aircraft has received our FAA weight exemption for the Wave™ LSA. This will allow a MTOW of 1850lbs, so we can incorporate additional safety features, that will set the Wave apart and help us achieve our long-term goal of moving aviation forward. Some of these safety features include, water manoeuvring thruster, CrossOver Landing gear, increased horsepower and the required fuel capacity to ensure the Wave™ is operated safely and can perform its mission.

We have designed the Wave™ for this increased MTOW and have incorporated the required additional structure. This sets up the Wave™ to transition into the LSA rule changes that are on the horizon, that will include adjustments to the LSA weight rule.”
Sling 2 Pilot
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Re: A look forward at the LSA weight rule adjustments.

Post by Sling 2 Pilot »

stevem wrote:A look forward at the LSA weight rule adjustments.

From the Vicker’s Aircraft web site:
“After many months we can finally announce that Vickers Aircraft has received our FAA weight exemption for the Wave™ LSA. This will allow a MTOW of 1850lbs, so we can incorporate additional safety features, that will set the Wave apart and help us achieve our long-term goal of moving aviation forward. Some of these safety features include, water manoeuvring thruster, CrossOver Landing gear, increased horsepower and the required fuel capacity to ensure the Wave™ is operated safely and can perform its mission.

We have designed the Wave™ for this increased MTOW and have incorporated the required additional structure. This sets up the Wave™ to transition into the LSA rule changes that are on the horizon, that will include adjustments to the LSA weight rule.”
A link for those interested in this Icon clone...

https://www.vickersaircraft.com/

It appears to be a well thought out design, maybe more so that the other amphibian. Tentative price from another article is $180,000. If they even come close to that, say $200k or so, it would put Icon out of business, IMO.
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Warmi
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Re: A look forward at the LSA weight rule adjustments.

Post by Warmi »

Yes, a 180hp $200k Icon-like plane would certainly put Icon out of their misery :D

On the other hand, Icon guys started the same way - a semi-affordable modern carbon plane etc .... if they couldn’t make it work pirce-wise with just Rotax engines I am not sure this new company can make it work with a much more expensive engine but who knows ...
Flying Sting S4 ( N184WA ) out of Illinois
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drseti
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Re: A look forward at the LSA weight rule adjustments.

Post by drseti »

stevem wrote: “After many months we can finally announce that Vickers Aircraft has received our FAA weight exemption for the Wave™ LSA...”
That doesn't necessarily mean that heavier LSAs will be allowed across the board, only that Wave (like Icon before them) has convinced the FAA that there's no reason to have a level playing field. Once all the other manufacturers request and receive weight exemptions, the rules (which were established to ensure safety) will become irrelevant.
The opinions posted are those of one CFI, and do not necessarily represent the FAA or its lawyers.
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