It used to be that a gross weight increase was a desired part of any engine upgrade-- until LSA/sport pilot came along, that is. That's when all the guys who had bumped the gross weight on their Luscombes Champs etc wished they hadn't. LIke KF5 pointed out, if the proposed drivers license/medical waiver thing goes through, all those heavier-than-stock little airplanes are gonna be worth a premium again. And yes, it will knock the hell out of the market for both purpose-built LSA's as well as LSA-compliant vintage airplanes.

Kitfox5 wrote:.. if the new proposal to go to 180 hp with the drivers license medical exemption passes, we may see the 1550 lbs limit become more popular. We will also probably see some new twists on the kits that are available, taking advantage of the higher weight and horse power limit. Of course the repairmen certificate will still be an issue. I actually think that if the proposal passes it will hurt the LSA market a great deal.

With an established LSA industry in place and facing new competition for pilots without medicals from a new 180 hp exemption, I can foresee an organized effort by that group to lobby against the rule either in front or behind the scenes. It just is in their financial interest to oppose it even though to do that runs counter to the idea of expanding the aircraft and pilot base for recreational GA.

dirtstrip wrote:

Kitfox5 wrote:.. if the new proposal to go to 180 hp with the drivers license medical exemption passes, we may see the 1550 lbs limit become more popular. We will also probably see some new twists on the kits that are available, taking advantage of the higher weight and horse power limit. Of course the repairmen certificate will still be an issue. I actually think that if the proposal passes it will hurt the LSA market a great deal.

With an established LSA industry in place and facing new competition for pilots without medicals from a new 180 hp exemption, I can foresee an organized effort by that group to lobby against the rule either in front or behind the scenes. It just is in their financial interest to oppose it even though to do that runs counter to the idea of expanding the aircraft and pilot base for recreational GA.

There are a lot of Light Sport pilots out there. Apparently it's an easier and cheaper certificate to get and Light Sport Pilots will not be able to fly a 180 horse >1320 pound airplane. I'm hoping that the object is to keep us old guys flying AND bring in new pilots.

EB

That is true, but the guys that are getting out of thier C180 for LSA's due to the medical, would surely opt for a super cub or husky for the same price.

There's no LSA's on the rental lines in some areas, or at least not many, which leads people who might otherwise go for sport pilot to go for the private instead-- those who aren't put off by the requirement for a medical, that is. I hear a lot of recommendations to "just go for your private" when people ask (online or in person) about sport pilot training. Given a suitable airplane, SP privileges would meet most of my needs, but the private is nice if you want to fly more pax, a bigger airplane, at night, IFR, etc. The "drivers license medical" will be a nice compromise between full private & sport pilot privileges-- IF it happens.
Speaking of which, it's been quite a while now-- is there any anticipated date of an decision one way or the other? Maybe if it's approved, they're planning a big announcement at Sun-n- Fun?