Approved Modifications

FLYING Staff

Thursday, July 02, 2009 at 08:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Owners of Special Light Sport Aircraft (S-LSA) must obtain written permission and instructions from the manufacturer for any alterations, even minor additions like instruments, and keep this documentation in the aircraft's maintenance records.
An aircraft can be flown by a sport pilot if it meets the performance and configuration definition of a Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) under FAR 1.1, regardless of its specific registration category (e.g., experimental, S-LSA, E-LSA, or standard certificated).
If an S-LSA manufacturer goes out of business, the aircraft does not automatically become an Experimental Light Sport Aircraft (E-LSA); it cannot be flown legally until the owner formally transitions it to the E-LSA category with FAA approval.

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Each month, Flying answers questions about the new sport pilot/light sport aircraft rule with assistance from the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), the authority on the opportunities available within the category commonly known as “Sport Pilot”:

Q: I own a special light sport aircraft (S-LSA) and I want to add a vertical card compass and back up “dial” altimeter. I would buy the units and have my A&P mechanic install them. Do I have to get permission/approval from the manufacturer to have this done?