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-
Matt & all:
Sorry, the FAA is not as permissive as some may hope. The original design
weights and speeds are controlling. Consider the case of airplanes like the
Aeronca Champion, Ercoupe, Taylercraft, etc., where some early models
without starters and electrical systems weighed in at less than 1320 lbs,
but later models of the same airplane weighed in excess of 1320 lbs--the FAA
will not permit those later models to be stripped to less than 1320 lbs to
qualify as light-sport. Besides, there is no way a LongEZ or Mustang II
will ever stall slow enough to qualify for light-sport, regardless of the
aeronautical tricks employeed.
Tom Parkes
20B Lancair ES
Look at the Zenith 601. It is the fastest sport legal plane and
very fast to build.
Ken
Ken, did you call me at Vashon?
Paul Lamar ...No rotor no motor.
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