FAA Began The Light Sport Aircraft And Sport Pilot Programs In 2004

The idea was to make it so that more people could experience flying from the front of the airplane, rather than the back. And according to the FAA, more than 2,000 people have earned Sport Pilot licenses since the program began in 2004. Aircraft manufacturers have come up with more than 90 LSA designs, and there are more than 800 factory-built Special Light Sport Aircraft recognized by the administration. Many have such features as whole-airplane parachutes, airbags, and avionics that can stabilize the aircraft at the touch of a button.

The FAA Publication Aviation News reports that a primary reason for the rapid growth in the LSA segment of the industry is engineering standards adopted by FAA for the airplanes. It’s important to understand, they say, that the industry has been asked to take more direct responsibility for developing and maintaining standards for design, manufacturing, and continued airworthiness. However, the American Society for Testing Materials(ASTM) standards that are critical to LSA development are not written by the FAA, but accepted by them and published in the federal register. Several FAA employees sit on the ASTM committee that designs the standards, but it is an industry function, not one of the government. That can make for a more nimble process in adjusting standards as conditions warrant. The FAA says the standards are not regulations, but manufactures must adhere to the standards and are responsible for monitoring and correcting safety issues, and the owner or operator of an SLSA must comply with each safety directive applicable to the aircraft, unless he or she finds an acceptable alternative, or obtains an FAA waiver.

Safety is, of course, the key issue, and both the FAA and NTSB are watching the LSA segment of the industry carefully. Last year, NTSB set up a special team to specifically focus on LSA accident investigations, and the FAA also conducts reviews of LSA accident data with a critical eye. So far, the FAA has found that LSA's do not have any unique factors that contribute to accidents. They are pretty much the same as every other segment of the industry. Earlier this year, the FAA joined with the LSA industry to form a joint steering group to address flight safety issues, certification standards, and accident causes. The group is set to release a charter defining its membership and an action plan at EAA AirVenture this summer.

FMI: www.faa.gov