The FAA says the Terrafugia Transition can now be called a light sport aircraft despite the fact that its maximum weight is 370 pounds greater than the standard LSA 1,430-pound limit. Terrafugia petitioned the agency for the exemption to use the LSA label for a street-legal version of the aircraft back in 2014. Although the Transition can be flown like a traditional two-place aircraft, the pilot can also fold its wings after landing to allow it to operate over the same roads as any automobile.
FAA Approves Terrafugia Petition for LSA Certification
Key Takeaways:
- The FAA has granted an exemption allowing the Terrafugia Transition to be classified as a Light Sport Aircraft (LSA), despite exceeding the standard LSA weight limit by 370 pounds.
- This exemption was requested to accommodate the Transition's unique street-legal design and integrated automotive safety features, including a safety cage and crumple zones.
- Terrafugia's analysis showed that these features, combined with the ability to drive in bad weather, could significantly reduce injury severity and fatalities compared to traditional LSA accidents.
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