LSA Europe

[pmh1234]

I've been seing a lot of nice aircraft appearing in the States on the new LSA /light sport aircraft) rules.
As far as I can see the machines are very nice, have more realistic weight and sizes than Europe ultra lights. Best of all the prices seems very interesting.
Is there any chance that the same rules will reach Europe, so we can get to buy and fly these nice planes here also?

[IO540]

There is a recent and rather refreshing proposal from EASA to introduce a pan-European VFR license, with an add-on IR option, and a certification/maintenance regime.

It is being taken apart by all the usual axe grinders as we speak.

Nothing ever changes in this business.

The funny thing about regulation is that once Joe Bloggs has reached some required standard, he will often try to prevent others reaching it too. So, while regulation is often seen as a bad thing by all, there is never a shortage of people subjected to it who actually support it, once they are "inside".

That's in addition to al those people who make a living out of paperwork, enforcement, consultantcy, etc.

[Mark 1]

EASA also has a simplified route to certification similar to LSA - CS-VLA
applicable to
aeroplanes with a single engine (spark- or
compression-ignition) having not more than two
seats, with a Maximum Certificated Take-off
Weight of not more than 750 kg and a stalling
speed in the landing configuration of not more
than 83 km/h (45 knots)(CAS), to be approved
for day-VFR only.

It also has a non-aerobatic limitation, but potentially could cover a fair proportion of private/training needs, especially with cross certification of FAA-LSA types.