Experimental Aircraft Association Chairman and CEO Jack Pelton revealed that the FAA is going to increase the weight limit for light-sport aircraft to 3,600 pounds at the AOPA’s Regional Fly-In, but EAA officials are now advising the general aviation community that there’s “much work to be done” before this becomes reality.
The proposed weight limit change is just part of current discussions between EAA and the FAA before any broad MOSAIC — Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certificates — rulemaking — and those discussions are still in the formative stage, according Sean Elliott, EAA’s vice president of advocacy and safety.
“There are numerous ideas that have emerged from discussions regarding MOSAIC, which began more than two years ago as informal conversations between EAA and FAA,” he said. “One area that emerged was how to help LSA fulfill its full potential. While weight-limit changes are one possibility, a specific number such as 3,600 pounds is something that is still very much in the exploratory stage.”
He cautions that the beginning of the FAA rulemaking process is not expected until early 2019.
“Any proposal for public comment would likely emerge in 2020 at the earliest,” he added.
“EAA has been the leader in these discussions with the FAA and has kept other general aviation groups appraised to the progress made,” Elliott noted. “The excellent progress we’ve made with FAA officials thus far includes substantial support from FAA senior leadership following meetings at AirVenture this past summer. It’s important to understand that these elements, such as LSA weight limits and any accompanying expansion of sport pilot privileges, are broad concepts that the FAA will use when beginning its rulemaking process, at which point outside input is not allowed by law.”
The current weight limit of 1,320 pounds of light-sport aircraft was established in the original 2004 sport pilot rule. That limit was a compromise from early FAA proposals that set the weight limit at less than 1,000 pounds.
EAA had worked since the mid-1990s on making the sport pilot rule broad enough to be a productive entry point for recreational aviation, association officials note. EAA’s focus is now on making the category “more robust and commercially viable” going forward, officials add.
A reformed LSA category would contain more qualifying aircraft, as well as long-sought features including electric propulsion, EAA officials note.
MOSAIC also holds “substantial promise” for flexibility in kit-aircraft construction, while maintaining the 51% rules, EAA officials added.
“This is a lengthy process, so as much as we might desire rapid change in some areas, the rulemaking process is not built that way,” Elliott said. “It’s also important to think beyond fixating on a specific number in a single area. EAA began by looking at all the possibilities when it first discussed the concept with the FAA as a way to make aviation more accessible and affordable. That’s what we’ll continue to do.”
Just another “the sky is falling” from the FAA that supposedly works for us?? Hah Hah. Just like politicians, they ONLY work for retirement and job security. Something this SIMPLE is beyond their comprehension.
5 YEARS and they still have work to do? That means writing MORE RULES to get in trouble over when you try and fly. Disgusting but no surprising..
I suspect the major stumbling block for this whole proposal to come from manufacturers of Light Sport Aircraft. Bringing EVERY Cessna 150 and 172 (and many others) into the fold will do nothing to help them sell airplanes. Keep in mind that in Washington, changes are really made by lobbyists…not politicians.
When I read this the first time it came out my thought was that the Feds have adopted President Trump’s leadership on making the government less restrictive. My next thought was we shall see. I hope they do it early on next year.
At least the FAA is finally recognizing they are killing pilots by forcing those with minor medical conditions that make FAA Physicals unrealistically expensive to fly in planes with extremely low wing loading, less than reliable engines, and questionable structural integrity in order to make the holy grail weight limit of 1320#.
With respect, I disagree with your characterizations. I fly LSAs quite a bit and find them to be every bit as relaible and safe as the Cessnas or others that I routinely fly.
“Years away!” It’s the FAA silly rabbit. We should expect no less. Started as an “informal conversation” two years ago, and has now progressed to a “formal conversation.” Still “much work,” to be done. Yep that sounds about right. NASA put a man on the moon in two years, and it takes the FAA 5+ years to increase a weight and speed limit. Go figure Tommy Hilfiger
We SHOULD expect more, but we know in our hearts that with a government agency stocked with ‘wannabes’ and lawyers, that this will take years & years to happen, if ever. Heck, if they just proclaimed that the Alaska gross weight 10% weight increase be applied to the LSA 1320 lb. limit to aircraft nationwide, aircraft with gross weights up to 1452 lbs could qualify as LSA eligible. Think Cessna 120/140, some Ercoupes, some Aeroncas, etc., etc., etc. They’ve already allowed certain aircraft to exceed the present LSA weight and still be called LSA’s. It doesn’t take a genius to figure that one out.
Trying to walk the fine line between “Beaurocracy Rules” and hopefully SOME reasonable people somewhere in the FAA, is probably a difficult thing to do in a system that is primarily attempting to justify it’s own massive existence. That is done in the form of “Studying”. FOREVER “Studying”. ( & all-the-while, the payroll is running, & the clock is ticking towards FOREVER retirement w/a NICE pension ). Don’t Rock The Boat…it’s been floating just fine !!
Richard … think of what you just said which DOES fit! “… it doesn’t take a genius to figure that one out.” They think they’re geniuses but … in reality ‘they’ aren’t even close … sadly.
Larry,
Maybe we should start pushing for this for immediate relief to the unrealistic 1320 pound limit. Maybe put this bug in EAA’s and AOPA’s ear.
Ben, Thanks for setting things straight, BEFORE I became ‘Chicken Little’