Sport Pilot: Meeting LSA Stall Performance Limitations

FLYING Staff

Saturday, December 12, 2009 at 10:40 PM ET

Verified

Tyson V. Rininger

Key Takeaways:

Fixed, non-deployable aerodynamic aids like vortex generators can be installed prior to Phase 1 flight testing to help an aircraft meet the Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) stall speed limitation of 45 knots or lower.
The previous statement that colorblindness disqualifies sport pilots from flying into Class B, C, or D airspace was incorrect; the only relevant restriction is for areas requiring interpretation of light gun signals.

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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: Can vortex generators be installed prior to Phase 1 flight testing to enhance the probability of legally meeting LSA stall performance limitations?