The other pathway for manufacturers to pursue, if they want to blow right past the 254-pound weight limit, is to get the craft approved by the FAA under one of a couple different regulatory frameworks, Part 23 or Light Sport Aircraft. The process for Part 23 certification is intensive and extremely expensive, costing tens if not hundreds of millions of dollars and many years to complete. Light Sport Aircraft is less heavily regulated. Manufacturers adhere to a set of industry consensus standards in building and designing the craft, and it’s not an easy lift, just more doable than Part 23 approval. To operate a Light Sport Aircraft, a pilot needs to have just a valid driver’s license, so pilot medical certification is not a huge hurdle, though pilots do need to go through extensive flight training and testing in order to get that Light Sport Pilot certificate.
4. Legality, part deux
Key Takeaways:
- Manufacturers exceeding the 254-pound weight limit can pursue FAA Part 23 or Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) certification.
- Part 23 certification is an intensive and extremely expensive process, while LSA approval is less regulated, relying on industry consensus standards, making it a more feasible option.
- To operate a Light Sport Aircraft, pilots need extensive flight training and testing for a Light Sport Pilot certificate, but only a valid driver's license is required, eliminating the pilot medical certification hurdle.
See a mistake? Contact us.
