Light Sport

The biggest photo op for Piper at Sun ‘n Fun was the first delivery of a PiperSport light sport aircraft (LSA). Three co-owners took delivery of their new airplane, with the common thread being their high levels of flying experience. Two were former airline pilots and current Airbus simulator instructors with 20,000 and 16,000 hours […]

A graph showing the current U.S. fleet of light sport aircraft showed Flight Design dominating. With more than 300 aircraft flying, the German-based manufacturer bests its closest rival by a wide margin. At Sun ‘n Fun, Flight Design demonstrated its intention to expand its market share even further with new and upgraded models and some […]

Piper is a company built on the two-seat Cub, the light-sport airplane of its day, and now, with introduction of the PiperSport, it is returning to its roots. The PiperSport, a two-seater in the Light-Sport Airplane (LSA) category, gives the company a new entry level in terms of cost, particularly for flight training. The PiperSport […]

Piper goes back to its roots with this two-seater LSA.

Transport Canada recently revised its rules, making it easier for U.S.-registered aircraft in the Light Sport category to fly in. Until now, LSA operators wishing to fly to Canada needed to call Transport Canada authorities to receive authorization, obtain a validation form to be kept in the aircraft and pay a fee of $100. Under […]

This was a day of contrasts. It started with my lesson in the P28. Weather looked ok at the time of briefing but had changed somewhat after we got through the preflight. A wind change meant a different runway and the direction we planned to depart toward had become “dark”. A new plan. So instead […]

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 need to get an emergency locator transmitter (ELT) for my experimental light-sport aircraft (E-LSA). Do I need to […]

Garmin took the stage at the Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, Florida, last week to announce a new engine information system and integrated autopilot interface for its G3X glass cockpit suite. The G3X is strictly for experimental and Light Sport aircraft, and the EIS will be available next month via a free software download. Sensor […]

119-Knot Cruise on 100-hp; and priced from $119,900 to $139,900

The PiperSport made its debut at the Light Sport Aircraft show in Sebring, Florida on Thursday, and the news has the industry buzzing louder than the little two-placer’s Rotax 912 engine (which can run on 100LL or unleaded auto fuel). With Cessna enjoying a fat order book for its Light Sport trainer, the SkyCatcher, Piper […]