When We Use The Term “Sport Plane” Or “Light Sport Aircraft,” Does That Equate To Limited Usability?

Some aircraft are specifically intended for transportation and travel. A good example of this would be a corporate jet or even a high-performance single-engine airplane. Other aircraft seem to have found their niche in what we call sport or recreational flying, but to think of these light sport aircraft as being “limited” is not seeing the whole picture.

For example, the Kitfox Aircraft Company has a 30 year history of building kit airplanes, and Kitfox president, John McBean, tells us his Kitfox model 7 aircraft is an example of an aircraft that doesn’t fall into a one purpose category. Sure, it’s a tube and rag, 2 place, relatively low powered kit airplane. These features could give the impression that it is strictly for sport or recreational flying and may not be suited long distance flying. Think again!

In an interview last year, John said he is aware of a Kitfox builder that flew from Idaho to Florida, then from Florida to Key West, then back up to Idaho, and then continued from there to Anchorage, Alaska and back to Idaho. This whole trip was a 45 day adventure. Another customer has flown their older Kitfox model 4 to all 48 contiguous states. Yet another customer uses his Kitfox model 7 for rugged off-airport flying in the Willamette Valley in Oregon.

Another example of extreme performance comes to us from South Africa when a company named, The Aircraft Factory (TAF), flew their 2-place light sport airplane named, the Sling 2, completely around the world. They started from their home base in South Africa and flew westbound to complete the trip. Of course, the airplane was modified with the installation of additional fuel, but other than that it was a light sport airplane.

The Kitfox and the Sling 2 are only a couple of examples of light sport aircraft that can actually be used for transportation or traveling from point A to point B. To misunderstand the term, “sport aircraft,” is to eliminate many aircraft choices that are, in many cases, multi capable.

(Images from file)

FMI: www.eaa.org