An Inside Look at Modern LSA Ownership

New Bristell LSA owner Don McKenzie takes FLYING deep inside the ownership experience, and details what it is like to own and fly one of general aviation’s best-looking light-sport models.

Dan Pimentel

Friday, December 03, 2021 at 11:22 AM ET

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Don's Bristell has some of the best lines of any light sport airplane and looks good from any angle. Courtesy: Don McKenzie

Key Takeaways:

Don McKenzie's ownership experience with his BRM Aero Bristell LSA directly counters common pilot misconceptions that light sport airplanes (LSAs) are too slow, "twitchy," or unsuitable for anything beyond short local flights.
His LSA offers significant economic advantages due to lower fuel consumption and the ability to use more affordable auto fuel, making it a cost-effective and enjoyable option for both local and cross-country missions.
Modern LSAs like the Bristell provide "sports car" handling, can be certified for Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) flying (as an E-LSA), and come equipped with advanced avionics, often at a lower price point than older legacy aircraft.

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Since light sport airplanes became available to purchase in the general aviation marketplace, we’ve all heard pilots of larger, heavier, and faster legacy makes and models sometimes make negative comments under the assumption that LSAs were too slow, too “twitchy,” and, yes, even too ugly.

To dispel those myths, FLYING went inside the ownership experience with Don McKenzie, owner/pilot of a new 2021 BRM Aero Bristell LSA. After speaking to him, it is clear that much of what you might have thought about light sport airplanes is wrong.