Light Sport Aircraft Safety

Episode 54 Light Sport Aircraft are the focus of this discussion. Changes to FAA rules and regulations now under review could result in a major loosening of safety rules for affected planes. The FAA is proposing to change the rules and regulations related to LSAs, allowing aircraft in the category to be larger and more complex. John, Greg and expert Jason Lukasik explore implications for flight safety. While every maintenance bulletin must be followed on LSAs, the use of consensus standards can make the work more challenging. Listener questions are answered related to the Piper PA28 Airworthiness Directive (Episode 50 [https://flightsafetydetectives.com/episode-50-piper-wing-spar-corrosion-examined/]) and propeller safety (Episode 46 [https://flightsafetydetectives.com/episode-46-propellers-and-air-safety/]). The discussion also covers recent general aviation accidents with fatalities. Image credit: B H Conway, CC BY-SA 4.0 [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0], via Wikimedia Commons