LSA's- A PLETHORA OF PROBLEMS

LIGHT SPORT AIRCRAFT (LSA’s)

A PLETHORA OF PROBLEMS

LSA’s were supposed to be a savior to general aviation. LSA’s were to be a well equipped airplane at a very modest price. We all know that didn’t happen. As of today it looks like only 2 LSA manufactures have a chance of survival. Cub Crafters who really sell more models with bigger engines that don’t qualify as an LSA and ICON who is yet to produce and ship their model, are the only 2 companies I see with a chance of survival. 

ICON is currently 250 pounds over the approved limit for a amphibian LSA. They have requested a waiver from the FAA and time will tell. It is the only true fun LSA being able to land in water or on a runway. The ICON has a fun factor with a good build and is being built in the US along with Cirrus’s help in constructing the composites. At $139,000 it is not IFR but has a fun factor.

Let’s list the pros and cons of a LSA. 

PROS:

LSA’s do not require a medical to fly daytime only and no IFR. 

You get a new airplane.

CONS:

LSA’s reasonably equipped cost too much, in the neighborhood of $150,000.

LSA’s don’t fly fast averaging 90 knots cruise.

Besides ICON and Cub Crafters, LSA manufactures don’t respond promptly or not at all.

You don’t know if the company for the plane you bought will still be in business from one day to the next.

You can’t fly an LSA at night or IFR without a medical, and the costs rise to equip a plane that is IFR capable.

With an LSA if you don’t take a new medical you can self qualify that you are okay to fly. If you failed a medical you cannot fly an LSA legally. Flying to the west coast in a LSA is almost useless unless it is IFR to fly through the marine layer. 

On short trips of 3 hours or less a LSA will get you there albeit very slowly.

LSA’s were supposed to be an “economical” plane to purchase at around $80,000. That never happened.

Sales departments are extremely limited and slow to answer questions. It’s a real crap shoot as they might not be around to honor your warranty. Even Cessna has discontinued production at this time of their Sky Catcher LSA listed at $150,000. By producing these planes in China Cessna was going to keep their costs down. That didn’t happen.

If you have your medical you can buy a Cessna 172 for around $40,000 and cruise at 120 knots and fly IFR. $150,000 can buy you a SR22 G1 and you can fly at around 155 knots. Another alternative is to buy a Vans RV product that is home built. Before purchasing a used Vans product I suggest you find someone you know that has built one to inspect the quality of build before doing a pre buy annual. You would have a fast 2 passenger airplane that should be under $100,000.

It comes down to a couple of issues. If you think you can’t pass your next medical, and wish to continue flying, an LSA might be for you. Of course $150,000 is a lot of money to invest to have a new airplane that can only cruise at 90 some knots and is limited on how you can fly it. There are used airplanes such as the Eurocoupe  (some models), Cessna 120’s and 140’s and a few others on the market that qualify under the LSA rules for weight and speed for a lot less money than a new plane.

I don’t feel the LSA market will succeed as is today.