Register
Aircraft Industry News

Higher LSA Weights: Not a Universal Thrill

The reaction was swift and not all positive. Later in the same week, EAA walked back the comment to clarify that Pelton should have said the FAA had agreed to consider an NPRM and actually the rule was at least two to three years away. The announcement of the process would occur in 2019. Details to follow. People who sell airplanes understand buyers are both fickle and fragile and the slightest whiff of uncertainty can tank a deal.

Paul Bertorelli
Verified
CubCrafters makes about 70 airplanes a year

A headline you’ve never read: Light Sport Aircraft Sales Explode in Fourth Quarter. One you might eventually read: FAA Approves Higher LSA Weight Limit. The latter is the fervent hope of some in the GA industry and as of late 2018, it’s about to be officially on the table.

And while it may seem like a no-brainer-what’s not to like about higher weight limits?-there’s also a certain wariness in the light sport manufacturing segment because any new regulation or change in an existing one is like turning over a rock. You never know what’s going to scurry out and proposed changes sans detail cause something manufacturers hate: uncertainty and market overhang.

Paul Bertorelli

Paul Bertorelli is Aviation Consumer’s Editor at Large. In addition to his valued contributions to Aviation Consumer, his in-depth video productions on sister publication AVweb cover a wide variety of topics that greatly contribute to safety, operation and aircraft ownership. When Paul isn’t writing or filming, he’s out flying his J3 Cub.