Types of Light Sport Aircraft

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, a light sport aircraft is a one- or two-seat vehicle with a motor and propellor that does not fly more than 140 mph. In should also be under 650 kg in weight and can only be operated with people who have a specific license for flying such aircraft. The Federal Aviation Authority lists more than 100 different types of light sport aircraft available on the American market and these include not only fixed-wing airplanes but parachutes, balloons, gliders and gyroplanes as well.

  1. Fixed-Wing Aircraft

    • The most common form of light sport aircraft is the fixed-wing variety such as the Aerotrek 220 or 240 variety. These two-seater planes have wings that fold up manually in 10 minutes allowing easy storage. They are also powered by an 80 hp or 100 hp four stroke engine, can do over 600 miles on a full 22.5 gallons of fuel, and do a cruise speed of around 120 mph.

    Powered Parachutes

    • Powered parachutes as designed by companies such as Infinity and Powrachute are parachutes complete with motors and wheels. Normally made from aluminium, high carbon steel and stainless steel, these parachutes can go anywhere a fixed-wing plane can, only at slower speeds. Most power parachutes have two speed motors and take off, landing and cruising speeds are around 30 mph.

    Glider

    • Although they look similar to airplanes gliders are aircraft without engines. They are more aerodynamic looking with longer and more slender wings. They fly at average speeds of 50 to 60 mph, although some of the more modern types are capable of speeds of around 150 mph. Gliders need help to take off as they have do not have motors. The most common way to get them off the ground is through aerotow, where the glider is towed into the air by another aircraft.

    Weight Shift Control

    • Also known as tikes, weight shift control aircraft are made up of a wing with a carriage and motor underneath. Control takes place from the control bar that is attached directly to the wing. They resemble jet skis with wings above and many people describe them as the motorcycle of the aircraft world.