A light-sport aircraft (LSA), or light sport aircraft, is a category of small, lightweight aircraft that are simple to fly. LSAs tend to be heavier and more sophisticated than ultralight (aka "microlight") aircraft, but LSA restrictions on weight and performance separates the category from established GA aircraft. There is no standard worldwide description of an LSA.
LSAs in different countries The civil aviation authorities in different countries have their own particular specifications and regulations which define the LSA category.
For example, in Australia the Civil Aviation Safety Authority defines a light-sport aircraft as a heavier-than-air or lighter-than-air craft, other than a helicopter, with a maximum gross takeoff weight of not more than for lighter-than-air craft; for heavier-than-air craft not intended for operation on water; or for aircraft intended for operation on water. It must have a maximum stall speed of in landing configuration; a maximum of two seats; there is no limit on maximum speed unless it is a glider, which is limited to Vne 135 kn CAS; fixed undercarriage (except for amphibious aircraft, which may have repositionable gear, and gliders, which may have retractable gear); an unpressurized cabin; and a single non-turbine engine driving a propeller if it is a powered aircraft.
In the United States, several distinct groups of aircraft may be flown as light-sport.FAA Existing certificated aircraft and experimental, amateur-built aircraft that fall within the definition listed in 14CFR1.114CFR1.1 are acceptable, as are aircraft built to an industry consensus standard rather than FAA airworthiness requirements. The accepted consensus standard is defined by ASTM International Technical Committee F37.ASTM Aircraft built to the consensus standard may be factory-built and sold with a special airworthiness certification (S-LSA) or may be assembled from a kit under the experimental rules (E-LSA) under experimental airworthiness. A company must have produced and certified at least one S-LSA in order to be permitted to sell E-LSA kits of the same model. E-LSA kits are not subject to the normal experimental amateur built (E-AB) requirement 14 CFR 21.191CFR14.21.191 which identifies an aircraft, the "major portion of which has been fabricated and assembled by persons who undertook the construction project solely for their own education or recreation."
United States The FAA defines a light sport aircraft as an aircraft, other than a helicopter or powered lift, that since its original certification, has continued to meet the following:
Max. gross takeoff weight: ( for seaplanes) Max. stall speed: CAS Max. speed in level flight (at sea level In the U.S. Standard Atmosphere): CAS Max. seats: two Max. engines / motors: one (if powered) Propeller: fixed-pitch or ground adjustable Cabin: unpressurized Fixed-pitch, semi-rigid, teetering, two-blade rotor system, if a gyroplane Landing gear: fixed (except for seaplanes and gliders)
Aircraft licensing Can be manufactured and sold ready-to-fly under a new special light sport aircraft certification category. Aircraft must meet industry consensus standards. Aircraft under this certification may be used for sport and recreation, flight training, and aircraft rental. Can be licensed experimental light sport aircraft (E-LSA) if kit- or plans-built. Aircraft under this certification may be used only for sport and recreation and flight instruction for the owner of the aircraft. Can be licensed experimental light sport aircraft (E-LSA) if the aircraft has previously been operated as an ultralight but does not meet the FAR Part 103 definition of an ultralight vehicle. These aircraft must have been transitioned to E-LSA category no later than January 31, 2008. Will have a standard FAA registration - N-number. Category and class includes: airplane (land/sea), gyroplane, airship, balloon, weight-shift-control ("trike", land/sea), glider, and powered parachute. U.S. or foreign manufacture of light sport aircraft is authorized. Aircraft with a standard airworthiness certificate that meet above specifications may be flown by sport pilots. However, the aircraft must remain in standard category and cannot be changed to light sport aircraft category. May be operated at night if the aircraft is equipped per FAR 91.205, if such operations are allowed by the aircraft's operating limitations and the pilot holds at least a private pilot certificate and a minimum of a third-class medical.
FAA certification Several different kinds of aircraft may be certificated as LSA. Airplanes (both powered and gliders), rotorcraft (gyroplanes only, not helicopters), powered parachutes, weight-shift control aeroplanes (commonly known as trikes), and lighter-than-air craft (free balloons and airships) may all be certificated as LSA if they fall within the weight and other guidelines established by the local governing authority.
The US definition of an LSA is similar to some other countries' definition of "microlight" or "ultralight" aircraft. Other countries' microlight definitions are typically less restrictive, not limiting airspeed, the use of variable-pitch propellers, or the gross weight limitation.
By contrast, the US FAA has a separate definition of ultralight aircraft defined in Federal Aviation Regulations. Aircraft falling within the US ultralight specifications are extremely lightweight (less than 254 pounds if powered, or 155 pounds if unpowered), are intended for operation by a single occupant, have a fuel capacity of five US gallons (about 19 litres) or less, a maximum calibrated airspeed of not more than , and a maximum stall speed of not more than . Ultralight aircraft in the US do not require pilot licensing, medical certification, or aircraft registration.
Aircraft certified as light-sport aircraft exceed the limitations defined for ultralight aircraft and require that the pilot possess, at a minimum, a sport pilot certificate. Among these aircraft were found those that were specifically designed to meet the LSA requirements, as well as overweight ultralights (commonly known as "fat ultralights") that previously were operated in technical violation of 14 CFR 103.
In addition to aircraft specifically designed to meet the LSA requirements, certain certificated aircraft, such as the original Piper Cub, happen to fall within the definition of a light-sport aircraft and can be operated by individuals holding FAA sport pilot certificates. The aircraft can not be re-certificated as LSA, however: although sport pilots may operate conventionally certificated aircraft that fall within the definition of an LSA, the aircraft themselves continue to be certificated in their original categories.
Several designers and manufacturers of experimental aircraft kits have developed models that are compliant with the light-sport aircraft rules.
In June 2012 the FAA indicated that they would re-visit the LSA program after their own studies indicated that "the majority" of LSA manufacturers they had inspected failed to show that they were in compliance with the standards. The FAA announcement said that as a result the "original policy of reliance on manufacturers' Statements of Compliance" ... "should be reconsidered." AOPA points out that this is a normal development of a maturing standardAOPA 2012 and does not expect any significant changes in the rules, only more scrutiny by FAA to assure compliance.
The FAA announced on July 24, 2023, that it was considering expanding the Light Sport Aircraft category to incorporate the development of emerging technologies, in particular electrically powered rotorcraft.
LSA under the new MOSAIC spectrum
The LSA category was drastically expanded with the introduction of MOSAIC (Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification). Among the main changes was the elimination of the current limitation on maximum weight, based on parameters related to stall speed, which is now 61 knots with the aircraft in landing configuration or with fixed or automatic high-lift devices (instead of the previous 45 knots). This allows for larger aircraft with up to 4 seats thus enabling increased safety margins, durability, and comfort for new aircraft certified under this new standard. MOSAIC was entered into the Federal Register on July 22, 2025. This final rule was effective October 22, 2025, except for amendatory instructions 3, 8, 9, 13, 15, 17, 21, 23 through 26, 71, 72, 75, 76, and 80, which became effective July 24, 2026.
FAA certified models Aircraft that met light-sport requirements when the rules were announced appear in an FAA listLight Sport Aircraft: Existing Type Certificated Models Some additional models of S-LSA, E-LSA and E-AB aircraft that meet light-sport requirements are listed here. The FAA maintains a complete list of approved SLSA aircraft models.
+Light sport aircraft (partial list)ManufacturerDesignEngineMax. cruiseMax. rangeOrdersAvailabilityType3Xtrim3Xtrim Navigator 600100 HP Rotax 912 S747 NM2008 CertifiedAdvanced Composites SolutionsACS-100 Sora KitAeropro / fly-Aerotrek.comAerotrek A240 (tricycle gear) or A220 (taildragger) (EuroFox)Rotax 912 A/ 912 S300+ soldsince 1990 CertifiedAeroprakt Manufacturing A-22LS (tricycle gear) Rotax 912UL, Rotax 912ULS or Rotax 912 iSsince 2016 CertifiedAMDZodiac 650B (S-LSA)Continental O-200 + Others CertifiedAviasud EngineeringAviasud MistralRotax 582 DCDICertifiedBOT AircraftSC07 Speed CruiserRotax 912ULS or D-Motor LF262016E-LSA, pending S-LSA certificationBreezerBreezerRotax 912 UL2CGS AviationHawk Arrow II SLSARotax 582, Rotax 912 F, HKS 700e, HKS 700T, Jabiru 220070 kn (130 km/h)130 NM170+ (since 1992)2008 CertifiedCessnaCessna 162Continental O-200D195 (Feb 2014). 80 in stock for sparesSince 2009 - discontinued Feb 2014CertifiedCirrus DesignCirrus SRSRotax 912 SUnknown, project suspended CertifiedComco IkarusIkarus C42 (80 hp)Rotax 912 F105 kn 194 km/h CertifiedCub CraftersCubCrafters CC11-160 Carbon Cub SSTitan 340CC, 180 HP 300+2009 ELSA Kit/CertifiedCzech Sport AircraftSportCruiser/PiperSportRotax 912 S170+ deliveredAvailable since 2006 CertifiedCzech Sport Aircraft/Wet Aero USACZAW MermaidJabiru 3300 or Rotax 912S2006 CertifiedDOVA AircraftDV-1 SKYLARKRotax 912S2004 CertifiedEkolotEkolot KR-030 TopazRotax 912UL2010 (Poland) LSA CertifiedEuropa AircraftEuropa XSRotax 912 / 912 ULS / 914 or Jabiru Aircraft750 NM2009KitFANTASY AIRAllegro 2007Rotax 912 F or 912 S2008CertifiedFK-LightplanesFK12 CometRotax 912UL/ULS, 914, or Lycoming IO-233351 nm (404 mi)1997Certified Flight Design Flight Design CTsw: CTLS: CTLSiRotax 912S; Rotax 912iS350+2005CertifiedHigher Class AviationSport Hornet LRSRotax 912 F or Rotax 582040+2009 CertifiedJIHLAVAN airplanes, s.r.o.Skyleader 600Rotax 912 100 hp & 115 hpAvailableCertifiedJMB AircraftVL3Rotax 9161500 nmi