Sport Pilot Talk

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.”

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.

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

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 ...

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.