Light Sport News

June 5, 2008 — Amateur-Built aircraft rules will be in the news at this weekend’s Golden West Regional Fly-In at Marysville, California. Earl Lawrence, EAA vice president of industry and regulatory affairs, hosts a forum to discuss possible changes in the FAA’s administration and enforcement of Amateur-Built rules and the “51% Rule” — the FAA requirement that amateur builders compete “the major portion” of an amateur-built aircraft. He’ll speak at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 7.

In 2007, the FAA announced its intention to tighten up its treatment of the 51% Rule. FAA officials are concerned that some practices, including some commercial assistance and some quick-build kits, might be stretching the limits of the 51% Rule. The agency has expressed particular concern that some high-performance, pressurized, and composite kits cannot be built without substantial commercial assistance.

The FAA has repeatedly stated its commitment to preserve the Amateur-Built Category. Last fall, EAA represented amateur builders and the amateur-built industry on an advisory committee on the 51% Rule and continues to advocate for the amateur-builder community. At April’s Sun ‘n Fun Fly-In, the agency announced that it has adopted one of EAA’s key recommendations—that any kit already evaluated and approved under the Amateur-Built rules will be “grandfathered” under any new FAA policy.

The FAA’s proposed new policy is expected be issued prior to AirVenture 2008, where EAA will lead a number of public forums on the issue. Members of the EAA Homebuilt Aircraft Council (HAC) and FAA officials will also participate in those forums.

There will be a public comment period before the new policy is finalized and EAA will provide a detailed analysis of the proposal, at AirVenture and through its website and publications. EAA members are encouraged to comment on the proposed policies when they are made available.

For the complete story, so far, on possible changes ahead for amateur builders, visit EAA’s Government Advocacy website, www.eaa.org/govt/.

For a sport that is still in the stage of infancy, the future looks bright. Light Sport Aviation is set to rejuvenate the world of flying and fulfil the dreams of people who want to fly. For these people, light sport aviation (LSA) offers a faster, safer and simpler way to fly.

What are your requirements?

• Performance - The small plane you want to fly should be able to go three times faster than a car.
• Comfort - The element of comfort should be ensured, otherwise, flying will tire you out.
• User friendly – Flying above the clouds or during the night, if deemed necessary should not be a frightening experience. Small planes need to equipped with displays that can help expel anxiety.
• Safety- The safety record of aviation is said to be 26 times better than travelling by road. So the plane you fly should be safe.

These features are available to an extent in Light Sport Aircraft. From the industry figures, it is revealed that there has been a 56% increase of Special-LSAs (factory built) delivered on a monthly basis, even though registration for S-LSAs are down by about 15% in 2008.

The number of companies entering the nascent industry and the number of new models for two-seat aircrafts are on the up, indicative of the growing popularity of Light Sport Aviation. The Expo in Florida held in January 2008 had nearly 12 new aircraft entering the market. The European aviation industry is set to bring the costs of light sport aviation (LSA) and this will lead to an increase in the market; in fact double and triple the market in Europe, Australia and the USA.

The demand for light sport aviation (LSA) has gone up all over the world, with people from countries like New Zealand, South America and parts of South American taking up recreational flying. This means that many of the production companies have a back-log of one year in meeting orders!

Personal Aviation has resurged and this will be the theme for the aviation sector in the next few decades, before a new revolution in flying comes. This is a viable solution as compared to the huge costs of the commercial segment. Although, LSAs are being touted as ideal of recreational flying, the day is not far off when a new industry of ‘air taxis’ comes into existence. You need to fly urgently, call an air taxi, and fly to wherever you want. The light sport aviation (LSA) will serve this niche segment. Forget about traffic glitches!

The future of light sport aviation can expand as far as the clear blue skies.

EAA ASKS FAA TO AUTHORIZE USE OF ELECTRIC MOTORS IN ULTRALIGHT AND LIGHT SPORT AIRCRAFT

ANNOUNCEMENT AT ELECTRIC AIRCRAFT SYMPOSIUM DRAWS APPLAUSE

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wis. - (April 26, 2008) — In an effort to gain attention and support for electric aircraft innovation and to help advance efforts to bring affordable electric aircraft to recreational aviators, EAA at today’s CAFE Foundation 2008 Electric Aircraft Symposium announced a significant advocacy measure. As the final speaker on the Symposium agenda, EAA Lifetime Member Craig Willan wrapped up the one-day event in San Francisco by announcing that EAA has filed a request to the FAA for regulatory exemptions that would allow the use of electric motors in ultralight and light-sport aircraft.

“The announcement drew enthusiastic applause,” Willan reported shortly after the event’s conclusion. “After a full day’s in-depth exploration of the cutting-edge work being done, the group was already energized by the promising developments in the science and engineering arenas. When I announced at the end of the day EAA’s action in the regulatory arena aimed at allowing the application of this technology, it was like an additional shot of adrenaline,” he said.

“I also informed the group that this is only a first step. I’m participating on an EAA task force charged with further facilitating progress in the use of electric energy to power aircraft,” he said. “The EAA community is committed to this direction. More announcements are coming.”

EAA’s petition to the FAA specifically proposes specifications for battery-pack weight limits on ultralight aircraft and the development and adoption of electric-motor ASTM standards for light-sport aircraft. “The request for those specifications, combined with suggested language changes to remove exclusive references to reciprocating engines, would make electric motors legal for these aircraft,” said Earl Lawrence, EAA’s vice president of industry and regulatory affairs.

The request for exemption highlights developments already made in the automotive, radio-controlled aircraft, and light-aircraft industries. “As electric technology advances, the practicality and, particularly, the flight range and duration of electric aircraft will drastically increase, while the weight of battery packs will decrease,” the petition reads.

According to Lawrence, this initiative matches well with the EAA community’s most fundamental values. “For 55 years we’ve championed affordability, access, and innovation in the world of aviation,” he said. “Today, the cost of fuel, its composition, and the difficulty in ensuring the availability of aviation-appropriate fuel threaten both the affordability of and access to general aviation flying.

In making the announcement, Willan pointed to the EAA community’s proven capacity for creativity as a call to action behind this initiative. After citing numerous examples of breakthroughs resulting from EAAers’ passion for designing, building, and flying their own aircraft, he quoted Thomas Jefferson’s words in the Declaration of Independence: “Those who have the ability to take action also have the responsibility to take action.”

Willan added, “We have the responsibility to be part of the solution. We in the EAA family have the intellect, the drive, and the passion to do something that can change the world. We have the ability - now we must take the responsibility.”

EAA embodies the spirit of aviation through the world’s most engaged community of aviation enthusiasts. EAA’s 170,000 members and 1,000 local chapters enjoy the fun and camaraderie of sharing their passion for flying, building, and restoring recreational aircraft. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 800-JOIN-EAA (800-564-6322) or go to www.eaa.org.

From the EAA: “Ultralight pilots who registered with one of the four FAA recognized ultralight organizations before September 1, 2004, but miss the January 31, 2007, deadline, or pilots who registered after September 1, 2004, still may use the aeronautical experience (flight hours) they obtained in ultralight vehicles to meet the experience requirements to obtain a sport pilot certificate.”

Two PDF files are available for download regarding this issue:

Clarifying Information - http://www.sportpilot.org//interest/ul_deadline.pdf

Tips for the Transition Process - http://www.sportpilot.org/magazine/feature/2006%20-%2012%20December%20-%20The%20Ultralight%20Pilot%20Transitioning%20Deadline.pdf

Heading to AirVenture 2007 in Oshkosh? It’s a good idea to start planning your accommodations now. While many great options for places to stay exist, the town of about 60,000 people is set to welcome more than 600,000 visitors over the July 23 - 29 event so places close to the airfield will definitely fill up fast. Not to fear though — Tom Poberezny, EAA president and AirVenture chairman, says “nearly 40 years of event history in Oshkosh has allowed EAA to build a widespread housing network, with nearly every type and price range available.”

One great service for AirVenture visitors is the Oshkosh Convention and Visitors Bureau’s EAA Housing Hotline. The Hotline keeps updates on housing availability off the AirVenture grounds. That service, free to AirVenture visitors, is available Monday through Friday (8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Central Time) at (920) 235-3007 or 24 hours a day at www.oshkoshcvb.org or www.airventure.org.

Popular accommodation options include AirVenture camping, college dormitories, private housing, and hotels/motels. There are also private campgrounds, bed & breakfast facilities, and other private firms offering housing options during AirVenture 2007. The best place to find information about housing and the event itself is the official AirVenture site at www.airventure.org.

Are you going to AirVenture this year? Let’s get the discussion going. We’ll see you there in July!

The EAA’s Sport Pilot Tour stopped at Brown Field in San Diego today, December 9, 2006. Over 15 Special Light Sport Aircraft (SLSA) classified planes were on the “on the ramp” as speaker and LAMA Chairman Dan Johnson mentioned.

Photos from the event are available by clicking here.

The day began with an introductory presentation by EAA Field Relations Manager, Ron Wagner. That was followed by a overview of the aircraft on display by noted aviation author Dan Johnson. I’ve read Dan’s work and it was nice to see him in person. Following Dan Johnson was a brief discussion of the FAA’s Wings Safety Program by Fred Cristlieb.

I got to sit in quite a few Light Sport Aircraft from manufactures like Dova, SportAir USA, and Remos. I spoke at length with the folks at OC Sport Planes and am considering their facility in Fullerton, CA as the place to begin my Sport Pilot Certification.

We shot a lot of video at the event as well and will be posting some clips soon.