Special Light Sport Aircraft and
Experimental Light Sport Aircraft
(S-LSA, E-LSA)

The LSA Consensus Standards set forth rules governing which aircraft may be flown by Sport Pilots. In addition to vintage aircraft that meet these requirements, new aircraft that are specifically designed to comply with these standards from the date of manufacture can be certificated as Light Sport Aircraft.

Manufacturers of a production LSA that is factory-built in accordance with FAR 21.190 can apply for a Special Airworthiness Certificate that allows the aircraft to be registered (It will have an "N-Number, just like any other certificated aircraft) and flown by any properly certificated pilot (including Sport Pilots), as well as be used for rental or instruction for hire.

In addition, amateur-built or kit-built aircraft that meet the requirements of an LSA can be registered as Experimental Light Sport Aircraft (E-LSA). These aircraft may be flown by any properly certificated pilot, but have some restrictions on their use (for example, they can't be rented or used for instruction for hire).

In some cases, the same model of LSA may be available as either a factory-built S-LSA or as a kit. In these cases, only the factory-built versions may be certificated as S-LSA. The amateur-built or kit versions must be registered as E-LSA, and will forever come under E-LSA operational restrictions. This is an important consideration as it will undoubtedly affect the resale value of the aircraft.

Production S-LSA

New factory-built, production LSA are becoming available all the time and can be used for personal flying as well as rental or instruction for hire.

Click here for a sampling of some of the more popular Production LSA available, updated periodically.