cpurick
Member
I'm trying to understand how LSA applies to non ELSA homebuilts.
Light sport is not something you register the plane as, it's just a set of parameters the airplane either meets or it doesn't.
It seems that if you list a gross weight at which the airplane can meet maximum LSA stall speeds, or placard the engine for continuous sea level power that's inside the maximum cruise speed, for example, then you've built yourself an LSA.
I'm asking this because I've recently been looking at Zodiac 601 HDS examples. Apparently, with the right fairings and VGs some folks have gotten this flapless, short-winged plane down to LSA stall speeds. Plus, it's possible to switch outboard wing sections to convert the HDS to an HD model, which has had great success coming in as LSA. Or vice versa.
I'm asking because I haven't done any of this, but when an experimental aircraft builder files for airworthiness the airplane's performance numbers aren't really known, are they? I mean, isn't that what flight testing is about?
I'm tempted to buy an unfinished HDS kit and finish it to meet LSA requirements. Or, I could rewing it as an HD if that doesn't work out. But I don't know what kind of latitude a builder has with the feds when it comes to that sort of stuff. Can anyone explain?
Light sport is not something you register the plane as, it's just a set of parameters the airplane either meets or it doesn't.
It seems that if you list a gross weight at which the airplane can meet maximum LSA stall speeds, or placard the engine for continuous sea level power that's inside the maximum cruise speed, for example, then you've built yourself an LSA.
I'm asking this because I've recently been looking at Zodiac 601 HDS examples. Apparently, with the right fairings and VGs some folks have gotten this flapless, short-winged plane down to LSA stall speeds. Plus, it's possible to switch outboard wing sections to convert the HDS to an HD model, which has had great success coming in as LSA. Or vice versa.
I'm asking because I haven't done any of this, but when an experimental aircraft builder files for airworthiness the airplane's performance numbers aren't really known, are they? I mean, isn't that what flight testing is about?
I'm tempted to buy an unfinished HDS kit and finish it to meet LSA requirements. Or, I could rewing it as an HD if that doesn't work out. But I don't know what kind of latitude a builder has with the feds when it comes to that sort of stuff. Can anyone explain?