FAA Finalizes New Rules For Light Sport Aircraft And Pilots

The Federal Aviation Administration has just finalized new rules for Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) and Sport Pilots. Here are a few of the big changes:

• Increases Light Sport category aircraft maximum stall speed to 61 knots
• Adhering to Part 36 noise requirements is now voluntary for Light Sport aircraft
• Maximum stall speed for Sport Pilot-certificated pilots now increased to 59 knots
• Sport Pilot-certificated pilots can now operate aircraft with retractable landing gear and manual controllable-pitch propellors
• Adjustments to the privileges of light sport aircraft repairmen certificates

To learn more about the new rules, check out the official MOSAIC final rule issuance, with key changes being summarized in a chart on pages 23-25.