• The Biplane Forum is a large global active community of biplane builders, owners and pilots. From Pitts to Skybolts, to older barnstormers, all types are welcome. In addition to our active community, our content boasts exhaustive technical information which is often sought after for projects and maintenance. This information has accumulated over the 12+ years the forum has been in existence.

    The Biplane Forum is a private community. Subscriptions are only $49.99/year or $6.99/month to gain access to this great community and unmatched source of information not found anywhere else on the web. We are also a great resource for non biplane users, since many GA aircraft are built the same way (fabric and tube construction). Annual membership also comes with two BiplaneForum.com decals.



Revised LSA Guidelines

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

rootntoot

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2009
Messages
145
Reaction score
4
Don't ask why I'm up at 1 o'clock in the morning writing this, but following a discussion with some other enthusiasts about the current LSA guidelines, I came up with a "revised" set of guidelines aimed at accomodating a greater number of "borderline" aircraft currently excluded. I realize I'm probably opening up the proverbial "can of worms" or "Pandora's Box", but why not.


Some aircraft, both homebuilt and factory built, that certainly satisfy the spirit and intent of the LSA program are being excluded for marginally exceeding only one of the three performance related criteria stipulated in the LSA rules. To correct this, why not modify the existing restrictions in the following way to accomodate these aircraft.


Rewrite the rule to state: In order for an aircraft to qualify for operation under LSA rules and regulations it must satisfy 2 of the following 3 performance limitations:


1) Maximum speed in level flight of 138mph (current rule)
2) Stall speed of 51mph (current rule)
3) Maximum gross weight of 1320lbs. (current rule)


Exceptions to any 1 of the 3 restrictions is allowed provided it doesn't exceed said limit by more than 10%.


10% of limit 1 = 13.8mph (new limit - 151.8mph)
10% of limit 2 = 5.1mph (new limit - 56.1mph)
10% of limit 3 = 132lbs (new limit - 1452lbs


This would allow an aircraft that weighs 1300lbs with a top speed of 130 to stall at 54mph for example. Or an aircraft with a top speed of 125 and stall speed of 48 to weigh 1415lbs. Or an aircraft with a stall speed of 50 and a gross weight of 1300lbs to have a top speed of 142mph. In each of these examples, only 1 value exceeds the limits but by less than 10%.


This would allow a significant number of aircraft currently excluded for minor violation of the existing guidelines to qualify for LSA inclusion but do so in a way that confines the violation to a single performance value and by no more than 10% of the original value.


Just a thought for discussion. Any body have any comments?
 

Latest posts

Back
Top