Plane & Pilot 2017 Buyer's Guide: Light Sport Aircraft

From amphibians to trainers, there's an LSA for everyone.

Plane & Pilot

Wednesday, February 08, 2017 at 06:49 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) category has grown significantly, fulfilling its promise of diverse manufacturing and offering a wide variety of models, from high-performance backcountry planes to amphibious aircraft and versatile sport tourers.
LSA designs cater to distinct niches, blending traditional construction with modern features like advanced avionics, while adhering to category restrictions such as a 120-knot speed limit.
Many LSA models prioritize fun, accessibility, and unique flying experiences, but often require pilots, especially those transitioning from conventional aircraft, to undergo specific training due to their light wing loading and handling characteristics.

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Zenith CH750

An offshoot of the popular CH701, the CH750 adds more room while sacrificing none of the off-airport capability for which the breed is well known. The 750 is taller, has a bigger wingspan, and has more range, payload and useful load than the 701, all while keeping within the FAA’s max weight for the category of 1,320 pounds. With an 86 knots cruise speed, the 750 isn’t fast, but it’s fun to fly, with great visibility thanks to the high wing and big windows and extreme short-field capability that rivals that of taildragger competitors, claims the company. In every way that matters, the 750 is a real Zenair. An all-metal airplane like all of the company’s products, the 750 features a few signature Zenith touches, including leading edge slats and a Y-ended center-mounted yoke for use by either occupant.

Niche: High-wing utility

Base Price: $75,000 (depends on builder choices)

Competitors: CubCrafters Carbon Cub, American Legend Cub

Zenith CH750 Specifications

Learn more at Zenith Aircraft.

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