What is a light-sport aircraft (LSA)?
A light-sport aircraft (LSA) is a new category of aircraft that includes airplanes, weight-shift control (trikes), powered parachutes, gyroplanes, balloons, gliders, and airships (blimp). These are simple, light-weight and less expensive to own and operate than conventional aircraft. This can be any glider or single-engine piston powered aircraft under 1,320 pounds maximum gross weight that meets the FAA definition of a light-sport aircraft. The full description and list of the 13 criteria that define what exactly a light sport aircraft is can be found in part 1.1 of the Code of Federal regulations title 14 FAR 's . Our student's we be trained to be fully fluent with this information. For now just know this: The aircraft can hold a pilot and may carry one passenger. The maximum speed is 138 mph (120 knots) full power level flight, have fixed landing gear and a fixed pitch propeller. A minimum FAA sport pilot license (certificate) is required to fly a LSA.