David-aviator
Well Known Member
I was in the middle of replying to this thread and it simply disappeared, gone, no can locate....
Anyway, here's the gist of what my thoughts are on the subject.
Set Operating Limitations to LSA standards and it is an LSA airplane. Isn't that what CubCrafters has done with the Carbon Cub - and with FAA blessing?
THE LIGHT SPORT CATEGORY LIMITS THIS AIRCRAFT TO:
900 lb empty weight and 1320 lb gross weight on wheels.
Maximum continuous speed of 138 miles per hour.
Maximum takeoff power limited to five minutes.
Maximum continuous power limited to 80 HP after five minutes.
The engine is a Lycoming 0340 rated at 180HP but only for take and climb, not for cruise. You must pull the power back to 80HP as per operating limitations so as to not exceed max speed to 138 mph.
Seems like the same could be done with any amituer build airplane, simply write it into the program letter and make it a part of the operating limitations. Of course all the other limits of LSA, like 2 seats, FP prop, stall speed, etc would have to be complied with.
There are a ton of airplanes on the market that meet LSA limits. Why not a modified RV-9? The precedent has been set at Cub Crafters. Rather than design an airplane to max LSA limits, simply set operating limits so as to not exceed those limits.
Anyway, here's the gist of what my thoughts are on the subject.
Set Operating Limitations to LSA standards and it is an LSA airplane. Isn't that what CubCrafters has done with the Carbon Cub - and with FAA blessing?
THE LIGHT SPORT CATEGORY LIMITS THIS AIRCRAFT TO:
900 lb empty weight and 1320 lb gross weight on wheels.
Maximum continuous speed of 138 miles per hour.
Maximum takeoff power limited to five minutes.
Maximum continuous power limited to 80 HP after five minutes.
The engine is a Lycoming 0340 rated at 180HP but only for take and climb, not for cruise. You must pull the power back to 80HP as per operating limitations so as to not exceed max speed to 138 mph.
Seems like the same could be done with any amituer build airplane, simply write it into the program letter and make it a part of the operating limitations. Of course all the other limits of LSA, like 2 seats, FP prop, stall speed, etc would have to be complied with.
There are a ton of airplanes on the market that meet LSA limits. Why not a modified RV-9? The precedent has been set at Cub Crafters. Rather than design an airplane to max LSA limits, simply set operating limits so as to not exceed those limits.