I wrote a few months back about switching a Mustang 2 from 0-360 lyc to
   a rotary.  I am still planning on doing this as the engine we have is
   running out.   But I have another question today.

   Is it possible to have an aircraft like a longez or midget mustang be
   certified as a light sport aircraft.  If they meet the requirements of
   stall speed, engine wt and power etc.  and the top end with this smaller
   motor and a climb prop keep the speed under 120kts.

   If anyone knows or has a contact I would appreciate it.

   Jake Link, MM2 Nebraska


When you ask about airplanes "like a longez or midget mustang", you are
talking about airplanes that, as built to plans, operate at much higher
speeds than Sport Pilot rules allow.  If however, you modify a design to
meet all of the Sport Pilot requirements, there should be no problem
getting that kind of airworthiness certificate - it's essentially a
different airplane then.  You'll probably have to demostrate the
capabilities, plus provide some engineering analysis to back up your claims.

Limiting top speed is easy.  It seems to me that the hard part on both
of those designs will be to get the stall/min flying speed low enough.
The Light Sport requirement is that landing config stall/min flying
speed be less than 45kts (51mph).  The Mustang 2 stalls at around 58mph,
and most LongEZ's won't fly slower than about 65mph.  Reducing maximum
gross weight will reduce min flying speed some, but getting from 58mph
to 51mph and still retain any useful load is going to require some
aerodynamic engineering.  Doing things like adding VG's could help, but
it still seems like a tall order.  Getting from 65mph down to 51 is
going to be even tougher.

The other thing a LongEZ has going against it is that the nose gear has
to be retractable in order to park safely.  Retracts (repositionables)
are only allowed on seaplanes, though that might be waiverable..

Why not just pick an airplane that's suited to the limitations?  Do you
anticipate not being able to get a medical at some point in the near
future (you don't have to answer that - it's none of my business)?

http://www.sportpilot.org/learn/aircraft_index.html

http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/regulatory/sport_faq.html#aircraft


Regards,

Matt-


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