It Seems Like Electric Power And The Light Sport Aircraft Were Made For Each Other

It does seem odd that electric power has not been used in aircraft that meets the light sport aircraft (LSA) definition. The fact is, it’s the very definition of LSA in FAR Part 1.1 that precludes it from being powered with an electric motor because the rule requires an LSA to be powered with a reciprocating engine.

There’s no doubt about it, the European general aviation market is moving ahead on many innovations that are being held back in the United States by the inability of the DOT/FAA to make any substantial move to promote, or even support, general aviation. We need to change the LSA definition to include electric power.

When the sport pilot rules were created in 2004, the establishment of aircraft certification through compliance with industry-developed ASTM standards was a huge step forward. The ASTM standards have continued to develop into other areas of aircraft and avionics standards which include electric motor power for aircraft.

When the company, Pipistrel, recently announced its electric WATTsUP trainer they said they were seeking to comply with ASTM standards. They can do that in Europe but, because of the way FAR Part 1.1 defines a light sport aircraft, we cannot use those standards in the U.S.

Because of the LSA definition, an LSA capable aircraft with electric power cannot receive a special-light sport aircraft airworthiness certificate. If someone were to bring a Pipistrel WATTsUP aircraft into the United States for certification, it would probably be certified with a special airworthiness certificate in the experimental-exhibition category.

An experimental-exhibition certification does allow the aircraft to be flown but it carries a lot of restrictions with it. Here’s another catch…even if we do have this airplane certified in the U.S. with an experimental airworthiness certificate, a sport pilot would not be legal to fly it. Sport pilots are only allowed to fly airplanes that qualify under the FAR Part 1.1 definition of a light sport aircraft; it must have a reciprocating engine.

There is action in motion to promote a change to the LSA definition. If the definition is changed, the sport pilot situation would automatically be fixed. Of course, any aircraft you build yourself and certify as experimental-amateur built can be powered by an electric motor, and glider certification rules are also being used for electric powered aircraft in the U.S..

It’s too bad…the dinosaur bureaucracy of the DOT/FAA seems to be stuck in a prehistoric tar pit when it comes to general aviation innovation in the U.S.

(Images of Pipistrel’s electric powered WATTsUP from file)

FMI: www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/