Classics Under LSA Rules

FLYING Staff

Wednesday, June 10, 2009 at 08:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Many vintage aircraft (e.g., Piper Cub, Aeronca, Ercoupe) qualify as Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) and can be flown by sport pilots, with a complete list found on sportpilot.org.
A sport pilot repairman certificate does not apply to standard category aircraft, even if they meet LSA definitions; these aircraft still require an A&P mechanic with inspection authorization (A&P-IA) for maintenance.
While securing insurance for sport pilots, especially for training or tailwheel operations, can be challenging, coverage is available from more than half of aviation insurance companies, with future availability depending on a history of safe operations.

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Piper Cub (Photo: EAA / Jim Koepnick)

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’ve heard about all the new airplanes that sport pilots can fly. But I like older airplanes. Are there any that I could fly as a sport pilot?