When Flying LSA Without Installed Radio, Can Hand-Held Comm Be Used?

In noncontrolled airspace where a radio is not required, pilots don’t need one at all.

Meg Godlewski

Wednesday, May 07, 2025 at 09:30 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

The Bristell SLSA [Credit: Leonardo Correa Luna]

Key Takeaways:

A hand-held radio can be used in a Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) when flying in noncontrolled airspace where an installed radio is not legally required.
Using a hand-held radio enhances situational awareness by allowing pilots to monitor traffic and access automated weather, and it serves as a valuable backup for a primary panel-mounted radio.
Pilots carrying a hand-held radio should also have spare batteries readily accessible during flight for convenience and continued operation.

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Question: When flying a light sport aircraft without an installed radio, can a hand-held comm be used?

This Article First Appeared in FLYING Magazine

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Answer: If you are flying in noncontrolled airspace where a radio is not required, you don’t need a radio at all. But most pilots who fly light sport aircraft (LSAs) do have a battery-powered, hand-held radio with them in the cockpit as it can provide an extra level of situational awareness since you can listen for other traffic, access automated weather, etc.