queries from downunder on LSA / LSP

I would say it hasn't had a revolutionary impact but is growing in value and importance with each passing year.  The pool of aircraft and instructors has been growing slowly.   Feels to me like it's here to stay but will take 10 - 20 years for the full impact to be felt.

Howdy Steve,

A year ago I was skeptical, but also uninformed about LSA/SP.  That has changed as a result of what I have seen in my chapter (EAA1114, Apex, North Carolina), at the LSA Expo in Sebring, AERO in Germany, Sun 'n Fun and Oshkosh (Yep, I went to all of them I am a lucky man).  LSA aircraft are very capable, modern and for the most part well designed and constructed. As an aerospace engineer (30 years) I think I am somewhat qualified to claim this.  While the first "wave" of SP/LSA flyers appears to have been our older colleagues having issues with their flight physicals, the average age of SP pilots is clearly dropping.  Our local SP flight school (Fantasy Air at KTTA) has a wall of pictures of new solo pilots.  I'd put the average age at 40-45 years old.  One hears the same across America.  If there is one problem with LSA/SP, it is the continued misinformation among us old-timers.  Thus we still lack SP instructors and shops that can work on the aircraft and engines, especially composite airframes and ROTAX/JABIRU powerplants.  The market is reacting though - my son just finished the first phase of LSA and Rotax training at a nearby A&P school (BRCC, Weyer's Cave, Virginia) and the classes were filled to capacity soon after they were announced.  He just returned from AirVenture and has started working at a local A&P shop.

Sure there will be growth pains, but most of those who were instrumental in pushing this through (EAA, Dan Johnson, Tom Peghiny and others) appear to be pleasantly surprised with the rapid progress.   I think it's one of the best developments in sport aviation in the past 30 years.

regards,

Kent Misegades

EAA 520919

EAA 1114 (president)   EAA506  IAC19   VAA3

P.S. - Please say Hey to the nice mates at SAAA chapter one in Sydney for me if you know them.   I spent a pleasant day with them a few years ago while on business travel in Oz.  

Hey Kent,  I'm just down the road from you. I've flown in and out of Cox's field several times. My face is on the wall at Fantasy Air. I was one of the 1st to get my light sport. I transitioned from fat ultralight. I'm close to finishing a Kitfox IV taildragger with a 912 and Grove gear. Maybe I'll run into you one day. Do any of you think the FAA will ever modify Sport Pilot to expand  priviledges. We can get endorsements for tailwheel and controlled airspace but I wonder about the possibilities of night flight and in-flight adjustable props. Sport Pilot just about fits the type of flying I do perfectly  but we always want the best possible performance out of our planes. For now I'm still flying my CGS Hawk that I've owned for 13 years that provides my "fix" until my KF is done. Thanks, James Thomas-Pittsboro,NC

Hey Kent,

Thanks for your evaluation of the current status of LSA.  My expereince has been local and it is nice to get the overview that you provided.  Local interest seems to be increasing based on the number of students the local CFI has been getting.  He started teaching again as an excuse to hang out at the airport after he retired from the airlines, but is now keeping two instructors and two Aeronca Champs pretty busy with LSA instruction.  The one disappointment that I have heard folks voicing is that the currently available LSA aircraft came in a bit more 'pricy' than folks were hoping for -- but then everything is more expensive.  If the price of a reasonably well equiped LSA could be brought down to the $15,000 to $20,000 range, I think interest would expand greatly.

I am waiting for the development of statistics to help answer the question, "Is the elimination of the medical requirement dangerous to flying?"  I'm guessing that it will have no significant impact.