November 19, 2002 Light Sport Documents Near Completion

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By Russ Niles, Newswriter

As AVweb reported last week, work is progressing toward a mid-2003 launch of the Light Sport Aircraft / Sport Pilot classifications. EAA has been the catalyst behind the creation of the new category and last week reported that much of the grunt work is almost done. A committee of more than 200 industry and government representatives has produced a standards document called F37 on Light Sport Aircraft. "Standards developed by the F37 committee will facilitate the production of the first purpose-built recreational aviation products in the U.S.," said EAA's Earl Lawrence. Meanwhile, EAA and the National Association of Flight Instructors are close to completing flight test, examiner and airworthiness standards. Once those are on the shelf, EAA says it should be a quick trip through the remaining government hoops. It remains to be seen how "quick" translates in real time.