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Sport Pilot: Equipment Add-Ons & the Cost of LSA

RV-12 Jim Koepnick / EAA
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Modifications or new equipment installations in Light-Sport Aircraft (LSA) primarily require approval from the original manufacturer, as the FAA does not issue Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) for LSA.
  • The high cost of LSA is attributed to the necessity for robust structural integrity and high-quality components for flight safety, labor-intensive low-volume production, and the inherent unforgiving nature of aviation.
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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 the owner of a light-sport airplane add new equipment such as avionics, instruments or additional lighting?

FLYING Staff

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