Definition

The Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) category is defined as simple-to-operate, easy-to-fly aircraft. A sport pilot certificate allows limited flight privileges for aviators who do not possess higher-level certificates such as private or commercial pilot licenses.

Description

Regulations for LSA aircraft and pilots differ from country to country. In general, LSAs are relatively simple aircraft that can be flown by pilots who have not met the training requirements or medical certification for more sophisticated aircraft. Pilots with sport pilot certificates are normally restricted to daytime visual flight with no more than one passenger. Broadly speaking, the LSA concept allows a less expensive and time-consuming way for people to experience aviation.

Depending on regulations from a country's National Aviation Authority (NAA), an LSA can be a powered aircraft or a glider. The category can include gyroplanes, lighter-than-air balloons, and powered parachutes.

In the case of powered aircraft, LSAs are limited to one non-turbine engine. In addition, LSAs do not have pressurized cabins.

LSA Aircraft Certification

Original specifications from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) provide a typical example of LSA characteristics:

• Powered by a single reciprocating engine.
• Fixed landing gear (except seaplanes and gliders).
• Fixed-pitch or ground-adjustable propeller.
• Maximum takeoff weight of 1,320 pounds for landplanes, 1,430 pounds for seaplanes.
• Maximum of two occupants.
• Non-pressurized cabin.
• Maximum speed in level flight at maximum continuous power of 120 knots calibrated airspeed (CAS).
• Maximum stall speed of 45 knots.

The FAA's Airplane Flying Handbook says the LSA category includes standard, special, and experimental designations. The Handbook also says aircraft under the special LSA certification commonly find use in sport and recreation, flight training, and aircraft rental.

Certain standard-category aircraft meet these specifications. According to the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) those aircraft include the Piper J-2 and J-3, the Aeronca Champ, and various Luscombe and Taylorcraft models.

The FAA created the LSA category and the sport pilot certificate in 2004.

Sport Pilot Certification

Under FAA regulations, a person may qualify medically as an sport pilot by holding a valid driver's license. Higher levels of pilot certification (private pilot and above) require a valid FAA medical certificate. However, a pilot may not use a driver's license in lieu of a medical certificate if the pilot knows or has reason to know of any medical condition that would make that person unable to operate a light sport aircraft in a safe manner.

Training requirements include a minimum of 20 hours of flight time (as opposed to 40 hours required for a private pilot). Sport pilots may not fly for hire. Other restrictions in the original 2004 regulations included that sport pilots could not act as pilot-in-command of a sport aircraft:

• At night.
• At an altitude of more than 10,000 feet MSL or 2,000 feet AGL, whichever is higher.
• When the flight visibility is less than three statute miles.
• Without visual reference to the surface.
• While towing any object.

U.S. sport pilot certificates are issued without a category/class designation. Logbook endorsement is provided for category, class, make, and model.

U.S. Light Sport Aircraft 2025 Rule Change

A new FAA final rule expands the light sport sector in several ways, including:

• Removing the weight limit, which allows for more safety features.
• Allowing higher speeds (up to 250 knots calibrated airspeed (CAS).
• Allowing features such as retractable landing gear and constant-speed propellers.
• Allowing aerial work with LSA such as infrastructure and forest inspections, photography, and agricultural surveillance.

Sport pilots may fly at night with additional training and endorsements. Endorsements are also required for retractable gear and constant-speed propellers. Holders of light sport repairman certificates will be allowed to work on all aircraft in the expanded light sport category.

The Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification (MOSAIC) rule, announced in July 2025, allows pilots with sport pilot certificates to fly aircraft such as the Piper Cherokee and the Cessna 182. The rule changes for sport pilots and repairmen have an effective date of October 22, 2025. The aircraft certification changes have an effective date of July 24, 2026.

The rule's executive summary states: "This rule expands eligibility for certification of light sport aircraft while retaining a distinction in level of certification rigor between experimental and small, type-certified aircraft. This rule also expands privileges for sport pilots and light-sport repairmen." The summary goes on to state: "Under this rule, manufacturers of light sport category aircraft may design and manufacture a broader array of aircraft, including rotorcraft and powered lift."