Are Light Sport Aircraft certified or experimental?
Light Sport Aircraft can fall into either category. Those designated as S-LSA are factory produced Light Sport Aircraft. Anything with the E-LSA Aircraft nomenclature is experimental and can be assembled by an individual from a kit. Q: I understand that some antique aircraft qualify as LSAs. A: Well, sort of. Certain models of the Aeronca 7AC Champ, Piper J3 Cub, Ercoupe 415C, Luscomb 8A, and several other FAR Part 23 certified aircraft from a bygone era are called “Sport Pilot Eligible Aircraft.” Those standard category, certificated aircraft that meet the LSA restrictions listed above can be flown by Sport Pilots, as well as pilots with higher ratings choosing to exercise Sport Pilot privileges. Of course, when flying a Sport Pilot Eligible Aircraft and exercising Sport Pilot privileges, all of the Sport Pilot and LSA restrictions apply.
