Appalachian Outlaws

[Super Cub]

A Legend Cub was used on last nights show to extract a ginseng picker from the back country in WVA. The buyer paid the picker for the ginseng and told him to pay the pilot. I know it's a show, but is it legal to fly for hire in a Light Sport? I say no.

[BrianL99]

A Legend Cub was used on last nights show to extract a ginseng picker from the back country in WVA. The buyer paid the picker for the ginseng and told him to pay the pilot. I know it's a show, but is it legal to fly for hire in a Light Sport? I say no.

The airplane isn't relevant, only the license of the pilot matters.

[dstclair]

A Legend Cub was used on last nights show to extract a ginseng picker from the back country in WVA. The buyer paid the picker for the ginseng and told him to pay the pilot. I know it's a show, but is it legal to fly for hire in a Light Sport? I say no.

The airplane isn't relevant, only the license of the pilot matters.

Brian -- that's not the case for LSA. 91.327 limits the commercial use of an S-LSA (regardless of the rating of the pilot):

§91.327 Aircraft having a special airworthiness certificate in the light-sport category: Operating limitations.

(a) No person may operate an aircraft that has a special airworthiness certificate in the light-sport category for compensation or hire except—

(1) To tow a glider or an unpowered ultralight vehicle in accordance with §91.309 of this chapter; or

(2) To conduct flight training.

[BrianL99]

A Legend Cub was used on last nights show to extract a ginseng picker from the back country in WVA. The buyer paid the picker for the ginseng and told him to pay the pilot. I know it's a show, but is it legal to fly for hire in a Light Sport? I say no.

The airplane isn't relevant, only the license of the pilot matters.

Brian -- that's not the case for LSA. 91.327 limits the commercial use of an S-LSA (regardless of the rating of the pilot):

§91.327 Aircraft having a special airworthiness certificate in the light-sport category: Operating limitations.

(a) No person may operate an aircraft that has a special airworthiness certificate in the light-sport category for compensation or hire except—

(1) To tow a glider or an unpowered ultralight vehicle in accordance with §91.309 of this chapter; or

(2) To conduct flight training.

I guess I learned something, thanks!

I knew they could be used for Flight Training, so I guess I made the leap from there. Someone better call the FAA and report The History Channel !

[drseti]

I just did so. The History Channel is now grounded for all of history.

[pjcampbell]

It's interesting that an SLSA could be used for compensation towing gliders.

I assume you'd still need to be a Commercial pilot to get paid, but you could do so in an LSA?

[SportPilot]

.......

[drseti]

(1) To tow a glider or an unpowered ultralight vehicle in accordance with §91.309 of this chapter;

Digging further, since 91.309 is in the LSA section of the FARs, it appears that the glider you can tow with an LSA must itself be an LSA glider. And, yes, to answer the separate question, by my read of the regs, you need to hold a Commercial pilot certificate to tow a glider for compensation.

[3Dreaming]

(1) To tow a glider or an unpowered ultralight vehicle in accordance with §91.309 of this chapter;

Digging further, since 91.309 is in the LSA section of the FARs, it appears that the glider you can tow with an LSA must itself be an LSA glider. And, yes, to answer the separate question, by my read of the regs, you need to hold a Commercial pilot certificate to tow a glider for compensation.

And a current second class flight physical, even though it is a LSA.

[MrMorden]

I don't know if all Legend Cubs are S-LSA/E-LSA. They might have built some certified or E-AB planes. Though E-AB has the same commercial restriction, IIRC and cannot even be used for training without an LOD.

[pjcampbell]

I wonder what an LSA glider would be? Googling "LSA Glider" basically yields LSA gliders with motors.

[3Dreaming]

I wonder what an LSA glider would be? Googling "LSA Glider" basically yields LSA gliders with motors.

A glider that meets these requirements.

Light-sport aircraft means an aircraft, other than a helicopter or powered-lift that, since its original certification, has continued to meet the following:

(1) A maximum takeoff weight of not more than—

(i) 1,320 pounds (600 kilograms) for aircraft not intended for operation on water; or

(ii) 1,430 pounds (650 kilograms) for an aircraft intended for operation on water.

(2) A maximum airspeed in level flight with maximum continuous power (VH) of not more than 120 knots CAS under standard atmospheric conditions at sea level.

(3) A maximum never-exceed speed (VNE) of not more than 120 knots CAS for a glider.

(4) A maximum stalling speed or minimum steady flight speed without the use of lift-enhancing devices (VS1) of not more than 45 knots CAS at the aircraft's maximum certificated takeoff weight and most critical center of gravity.

(5) A maximum seating capacity of no more than two persons, including the pilot.

(6) A single, reciprocating engine, if powered.

(7) A fixed or ground-adjustable propeller if a powered aircraft other than a powered glider.

(8) A fixed or feathering propeller system if a powered glider.

(9) A fixed-pitch, semi-rigid, teetering, two-blade rotor system, if a gyroplane.

(10) A nonpressurized cabin, if equipped with a cabin.

(11) Fixed landing gear, except for an aircraft intended for operation on water or a glider.

(12) Fixed or retractable landing gear, or a hull, for an aircraft intended for operation on water.

(13) Fixed or retractable landing gear for a glider.

[Merlinspop]

I suppose the reason for this

(3) A maximum never-exceed speed (VNE) of not more than 120 knots CAS for a glider.

is that this

(2) A maximum airspeed in level flight with maximum continuous power (VH) of not more than 120 knots CAS under standard atmospheric conditions at sea level

is impossible in a glider. I hope that it is just a "paper limitation" and not a reflection of the structural strength being reduced just to make the numbers work out (provided weights and everything else are met).

[drseti]

The 120 knot Vh limitation is really easy in a glider, Bruce. The manufacturer just paints a red line on the airspeed indicator. If it's an experimental, you just have the DAR write that figure into the Operating Limitations.

[3Dreaming]

The 120 knot Vh limitation is really easy in a glider, Bruce. The manufacturer just paints a red line on the airspeed indicator. If it's an experimental, you just have the DAR write that figure into the Operating Limitations.

Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't think a DAR will set a speed limitation on a experimental. These numbers would be set by the designer or builder.