p.mulwitz(at)worldnet.att Guest
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Posted: Thu May 31, 2007 4:31 am Post subject: LSA Speed Limit |
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There has been a lot of discussion about the speed limit of
LSA. There have been so many incomplete or misleading definitions
used that I wanted to make this issue clear. I finally managed to
get the FAA regulation site to work and copied the definition:
"A maximum airspeed in level flight with maximum continuous power
(VH) of not more than 120 knots CAS under standard atmospheric
conditions at sea level."
There are several qualifications of the 120 Knot (138 MPH) limit for
an airplane to qualify as LSA.
1. Level flight.
2. Maximum Continuous Power. This is NOT MAXIMUM POWER. Maximum
Continuous Power is defined by the builder and/or engine manufacturer.
3. CAS, Calibrated Airspeed - roughly equivalent to IAS - Indicated
Airspeed. Note that this is not TAS or True Airspeed. Since the
maximum speed is defined as Indicated rather than True that means
True airspeed will certainly be higher when the plane is flown at
altitude and cooler air temperatures.
4. Standard atmospheric conditions at sea level. This is more
details about how to measure the airspeed.
The bottom line is there is no speed limit for LSA for time periods
when power over Maximum Continuous Power is used. Also, the True
airspeed for a plane flown at normal cruise altitudes and
temperatures is considerably higher than the 120 Kts Indicated
airspeed allowed.
Paul
XL fuselage
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