Sport Pilot Talk

If I purchase a laSA and register it as an ElLSA can I make modifications after ? I want to be able to increase the hp using edge performance ?

Yes. A major change+ may require a period of test flying, otherwise no formal testing necessary.

The only thing you can’t do is modify the plane or engine in a way that would take it out of Light Sport limitations - no flight-adjustable prop, for instance. If the engine mods resulted in level flight cruise speeds in excess of 120k, something would need to be done to limit the excess speed, such as reducing maximum cruise power via placard or equivalent.

*Not sure of the exact definition of “major change” in this regard, nor if your Edge Performance mod would meet that definition.

Yes, if I were to install edge performance mods, I would go ElSA first - as Eddie said you can do whatever you want as long as the plane remains in the Light Sport category.

Some of the Edge Performance mods result in Rotax engines producing 160 HP which, depending on the plane , could easily end up with cruise speed greater than allowable for Light Sport planes but as Eddie said, just placard the thing - it is your plane after all, who is to say otherwise.

Of course, having HP increased significantly can result in all sorts of auxiliary changes ( prop etc ) for which you gonna have to account but that’s something you would work with Edge Performance on.

When I converted my SLSA to experimental, the DAR cautioned me that any major modification (engine, propeller, etc.) would require new phase 1 testing.

Scooper wrote:When I converted my SLSA to experimental, the DAR cautioned me that any major modification (engine, propeller, etc.) would require new phase 1 testing.

I assume many engine modifications could qualify as "minor". Maybe the Professor can provide some guidance here.

Jfly67 wrote:If I purchase a laSA and register it as an ElLSA can I make modifications after ? I want to be able to increase the hp using edge performance ?

First LSA is a term assigned to any aircraft that meets the CFR 1.1 definition of a light sport aircraft. Only LSA with a special airworthiness certificate in the light sport category can be converted to ELSA. It is not a registration change, but rather a change of the airworthiness certificate.

If you make the change to ELSA, then you can make modifications. Based on on CFR 43 appendix A I think any change you would likely make to increase performance would require putting the aircraft back into phase 1 flight testing. That shouldn't be a big deal, and would likely only require 5 hours of test time to return back to phase 2 operations.

From FAR 1.1:

Major alteration means an alteration not listed in the aircraft, aircraft engine, or propeller specifications—

(1) That might appreciably affect weight, balance, structural strength, performance, powerplant operation, flight characteristics, or other qualities affecting airworthiness; or

(2) That is not done according to accepted practices or cannot be done by elementary operations.

I guess the word “appreciably” in (1) makes it somewhat subjective?

FastEddieB wrote:I guess the word “appreciably” in (1) makes it somewhat subjective?

Yes. But not as subjective as "accepted practices" or "elementary operations."

ADs often refer to "other means acceptable to the Administrator". That's a little bit better, because if in doubt, one can always ask him or her.

Jfly67 wrote:If I purchase a laSA and register it as an ElLSA can I make modifications after ? I want to be able to increase the hp using edge performance ?

If you fly 100 hours per year at 120 knots, you will cover 12,000 nm. If you fly that same distance at 115 knots, it will take you 104 hours. How much is your time worth?

TimTaylor wrote:

Jfly67 wrote:If I purchase a laSA and register it as an ElLSA can I make modifications after ? I want to be able to increase the hp using edge performance ?

If you fly 100 hours per year at 120 knots, you will cover 12,000 nm. If you fly that same distance at 115 knots, it will take you 104 hours. How much is your time worth?

Maybe his desire to increase power has nothing to do with speed, but rather take off and climb performance. Generally that is the reason for wanting to increase power. It takes a big increase to make much difference in speed.

3Dreaming wrote:

TimTaylor wrote:

Jfly67 wrote:If I purchase a laSA and register it as an ElLSA can I make modifications after ? I want to be able to increase the hp using edge performance ?

If you fly 100 hours per year at 120 knots, you will cover 12,000 nm. If you fly that same distance at 115 knots, it will take you 104 hours. How much is your time worth?

Maybe his desire to increase power has nothing to do with speed, but rather take off and climb performance. Generally that is the reason for wanting to increase power. It takes a big increase to make much difference in speed.

We don't know why, do we? My response was to the OP for his consideration, not you.

TimTaylor wrote:

3Dreaming wrote:

TimTaylor wrote:
If you fly 100 hours per year at 120 knots, you will cover 12,000 nm. If you fly that same distance at 115 knots, it will take you 104 hours. How much is your time worth?

Maybe his desire to increase power has nothing to do with speed, but rather take off and climb performance. Generally that is the reason for wanting to increase power. It takes a big increase to make much difference in speed.

We don't know why, do we? My response was to the OP for his consideration, not you.

No need to get all torqued off. I just quoted you to put my statement in context. Besides when you post on the open forum your post is for all forum members not just the OP, you don't get to be selective. Since I am a forum member I guess it was for my consideration. I considered it, and made a comment.

TimTaylor wrote:

3Dreaming wrote:

TimTaylor wrote:If you fly 100 hours per year at 120 knots, you will cover 12,000 nm. If you fly that same distance at 115 knots, it will take you 104 hours. How much is your time worth?

Maybe his desire to increase power has nothing to do with speed, but rather take off and climb performance. Generally that is the reason for wanting to increase power. It takes a big increase to make much difference in speed.

We don't know why, do we? My response was to the OP for his consideration, not you.

Why the thin skin?
3Dreaming made a valid point. A point which all of us could ponder . . . including you and the OP.

Appreciate all the responses and it’s not about going 115kts to 120kts it’s more like 100Kts to 120KTs and better climb rates as most our missions require 9500 ‘ Plus my background is in the racing community and performances is important to me. The plane is rated to 130Kts and I am aware that would take it out of LSA