I am not an expert in the US system but my understanding of the US LSA system was that you have an aircraft design code allowing up to 600kg, a reduced licence requirement and a reduced medical. In the UK the US LSA design code is not used, we do not have a reduced licence equivalent to the LSA licence. In Europe we do have a VLA design code – CS-VLA – which allows up to 750kg. A C150 is 730kg, and would probably pass CS-VLA. Using US LSA accident data to criticise European VLA’s is totally flawed. Many US LSA aircraft have been modified to pass CS-VLA and are sold under the same name as used the US. One of the arrears often modified is the landing gear.
My own personal transition to my aircraft – which was tested to CS-VLA – took about 30min. Six years later I have not rolled her into a ball, had nose gear failure or any sort of accident or incident at all. There are at least 8 “VLA” aircraft at my strip, and non-have had an incident. This is operating off an licenced grass strip.
From the factory web site;
The P2002 (JAR/VLA) is the factory produced certified aircraft and the P2002 SIERRA (LAA permit VLA kit) represent the latest development of the Tecnam P96 Golf resulting from on-going improvements and the experience gathered from hundreds of aircraft and prolonged use over many years operating in a wide variety of conditions.
Rod1
Last edited by Rod1; 8th February 2012 at 10:52.