The FAA is proposing changes to the regulations for light-sport aircraft (LSA) that would allow electric propulsion systems and simplified flight controls, in a move intended to increase their suitability for flight training and personal flying. 

Intended to enable deployment of a new class of lower-performance aircraft that would be less expensive to produce and operate than general aviation aircraft certified under Part 23, the light-sport aircraft rules introduced in 2004 set a weight limit of 1,320 lb., or 1,430 lb. for operation on water.

The rule also established a sport pilot certificate that enables pilots to fly certified light-sport aircraft with less training than a private pilot license. As of January, the FAA said, almost 4,460 airplanes have been manufactured and 7,000 sport pilots certified since the rule was finalized.

Now the FAA is proposing to remove the definition of light-sport aircraft and establish a new regulation that would set performance limitations and design requirements for the aircraft that sport pilots can operate. Limits on amateur-built, experimental and restricted-category aircraft would also be updated.

The rule would not allow sport pilots to fly powered-lift aircraft, such as electric-vertical-takeoff-and-landing (eVTOL) vehicles, “given the complexity and ongoing development of those aircraft designs,” says the FAA, which expects that future rulemaking may consider these aircraft.

The proposed rule removes the weight limit on LSAs and, at the same time, increases the limit on stall speed to 54 kt., which indirectly limits maximum weight to around 3,000 lb. Maximum speed is raised to 250 kt. and seating capacity to four, allowing more capable aircraft. 

The proposed rule would “remove prescriptive weight limits that hinder incorporation of safety-enhancing designs and equipage; enable more robust aircraft for the pilot training environment; enable increased capacities for passengers, fuel, and cargo; enable electric propulsion; and enable faster, higher-performing aircraft more suitable for personal travel,” the FAA says.

Developed with industry collaboration under the Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certificates (Mosaic) initiative, the notice of proposed rulemaking for the new regulation is planned to be published on July 24 as the AirVenture 2023 show opens in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

In addition to allowing more complex aircraft with retractable landing gear and variable-pitch propellers, a key provision of the proposed rule is a change in language to “powered aircraft” from “engine-driven.” This removes the existing barrier to using electric propulsion in LSAs.

Makers of electric light aircraft including Textron-owned Pipistrel are waiting for the Mosaic rule to unlock the U.S. market for electric trainers that can dramatically reduce the costs of flight training. While sport pilots will be able to fly four-seat aircraft, they will be allowed only one passenger.

Another key provision of the rule would permit aircraft with simplified flight controls instead of traditional primary flight controls. These would be required to enable a pilot to control the aircraft without direct manipulation of the control surfaces (i.e. fly-by-wire), prevent loss of control and enable the pilot to discontinue the flight quickly and safely.