84KF
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 Posted: Sun Nov 12, 2006 11:09 pm Post subject: Sportpilots and eligible aircraft MTOW |
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Gentlemen, …and Ladies,
I ran across this post off sight and it’s from a while back but I might be able to she some light on the subject of sport pilot eligible aircraft.
From: owner-zenith-list-server(at)matr...
[mailto:owner-zenith-list-server(at)matr...] On Behalf Of Weston, Jim
Subject: RE: Zenith-List: Cross SP Registration
--> Zenith-List message posted by: "Weston, Jim" <Jim>
Something doesn't fit. If this is the case, how is it that Aeronca's,
Ercoupe's, T-Crafts, etc. are listed as LSA eligible? They sure weren't
originally certified within the LSA definition.
This is a really confusing subject. Going to the FAA website sure
doesn't help. I've dug through the CFRs and used their search engine
with little found.
You will find, on page 44793 of the:
Federal Register: July 27, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 143) Page 44771-44882
Certification of Aircraft and Airmen for the Operation of Light-Sport Aircraft
a definition for “maximum takeoff weight” provided by the FAA that, in my humble opinion, is used to determine the eligilibility of any Small aircraft (12,500 lbs or less) As strange as that sounds, there is a formula to determine “maximum takeoff weight” and it’s defined as the sum of 1) empty weight of the aircraft, weight of full fuel tanks, (just consider them filled and use that weight), weight of pilot and, if applicable, a passenger, and the weight of any baggage.
On page 44793 it reads:
Some commentators stated that lacking a definition of maximum take off weight, aircraft with fairly high performance characteristics could meet the definition of light-sport aircraft by limiting the approved weight and payload of the airplane. The FAA considers this a valid concern and has provided some additional constraints on the weight as detailed below. The maximum weight of a light-sport aircraft is the sum of :
(1) Aircraft empty weight;
(2) Weight of the passenger for each seat installed;
(3) Baggage allowance for each passenger; and
(4) Full fuel, including a minimum of the half hour fuel reserve required for day visual flight rules in FAR 91.151(a)(1)
=========================
This will give you a “mass” for the aircraft, and if it’s less than 1320 lbs (land), and it meets the rest of the parameters, it is sport pilot eligible. That doesn’t make it LSA compliant, but it meets the definition in FAR 1.1 for lightsport aircraft. There is also a chart that shows any aircraft, 12,500 lba is eligible to try to meet the definition. Good luck. If you apply this FAA formula in your thinking, it put a whole new spin on how the regulation reads.
The point is, it is not “maximum weight” as on a tcds, or the design weight of an experimental amateur-built, but the weight of the aircraft at the time of takeoff.
Example: I have a Kitfox series 5, with a design weight of 1400 lbs, But the 1400 lbs means nothing to the Feds. You are not penalized because you have an efficient aircraft.
If one keeps the empty weight of the aircraft low enough, you will have enough “payload” to meet the definition of “maximum takeoff weight” as provided in .
Federal Register: July 27, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 143) Page 44771-44882
Certification of Aircraft and Airmen for the Operation of Light-Sport Aircraft
There is an ongoing “discussion” about this on the Kitfox list. It’s me against the world in there.
One needs to read this “Final Rule to understand the full extent of LSA issues, it will clear up any question if read carefully and in the FAA state of mind. It will also contradict much published articles that just confuse the issue, and us, because many writers really don’t have a clue.
I have a lot to say on the issues and I leave no stone unturned. If you wish to know more, I willing to talk, but I don’t want to start an argument.
I can pass along the best link to find the best .pdf copy of The Final rule. It does make a difference. and remember that "light-sport aircraft" is an FAA general term, and it dosn't mean the aircraft if LSA compliant. LSA is newa catagory of aircraft now, and others (like a J-3 Cub, 7AC Champ, and amateur-built kitfox or Zenith) just meet the definition, so they are sportpilot eligible
The "since original certification" clause is to keep people from modifying REAL type certificated aircraft just fo meet the definition in 1.1 So if a plane uses the FAA formula to deternine weight at the time of takeoff, and meets the rest of the parameters, and has done so since it recieved it's airworthiness certificate, it's good to go.
That's my view, and that's how I fly.
Thanks, sorry for intruding.
Steve
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