Hours Building for CPL in LSA

[PelicanSquawk]

Hi All,

I've just gained my PPL and am going to start hours building for my CPL course. I am currently looking at buying a share, or renting an aircraft and have come across a few "LSA" type aircraft, which seem a lot cheaper to run, namely a Pipersport Cruiser. My question is, can I use hours in an LSA for my CPL minimum (150 I think)? OR is there a certain criteria of aircraft? I assume a lot of the cost saving is in the maintenance requirements, and nothing else? Also the Pipercruiser has a MTOW of 600Kg I think...if that is relevant at all.

Thanks in advance for any help, and I apologise if this has been asked before, I couldn't find any recent info on it.

Cheers

PS

[ZaGaikokujin]

To clarify: Do you mean towards your FAA CPL or your EASA CPL?

For FAA the answer is yes as a LSA also falls under the Aircraft - Airplane - Single Engine Land Category.
For the EASA I can't say as the defintion for PIC time is different than the FAA definition and so might be LSA as this class does not exist in EASA land. (I would be happy to know the answer as well)

[PelicanSquawk]

Originally Posted by ZaGaikokujin

To clarify: Do you mean towards your FAA CPL or your EASA CPL?

For FAA the answer is yes as a LSA also falls under the Aircraft - Airplane - Single Engine Land Category.
For the EASA I can't say as the defintion for PIC time is different than the FAA definition and so might be LSA as this class does not exist in EASA land. (I would be happy to know the answer as well)

It was for EASA. And now I think I might be getting confused, I thought LSA was the aircraft that you're permitted to fly with an LAPL, but I see now that LAPL is up to 2 tonnes and 3 passengers. However I think EASA does have a LSA category, so maybe the only difference is service intervals?

From the EASA website.

"Light Sport Aeroplane complies with the following criteria:

1. A Maximum Take-Off Mass of not more than 600 kg
2. A maximum stalling speed in the landing configuration (VS0) of not more than 45 knots CAS at the aircraft's maximum certificated Take-Off Mass and most critical centre of gravity.
3. A maximum seating capacity of no more than two persons, including the pilot.
4. A single, non-turbine engine fitted with a propeller.
5. A non-pressurised cabin

These specifications apply to aeroplanes intended for "non-aerobatic" and for "VFR day" operation only."

So I guess my question is could I use that kind of aircraft for my PIC, time for CPL? Although its not great that they can't operate at night, I was planning to get my night rating.

[PelicanSquawk]

Just bumping this up. Some one must have done, or tried to have done their CPL hours building in a permit/LAA aircraft?

[TogaToFLs]

Any other views on this?

Does it need to have an MTOW off 600kg + to count towards the CPL? The lack of proper definitions in the regulations is infuriating and I just know they will come up with some silly obscure rule when the time comes.

I don't plan to do the majority of my time building in an LSA but I want to do a few hours for fun and to experience as many types as possible.

[selfin]

Austrocontrol stated in an email to me in August last year that it allows PIC flight time on Annex I aeroplanes to be counted towards the experience required for a Part-FCL IR, CPL, or ATPL.

[TogaToFLs]

Originally Posted by selfin

Austrocontrol stated in an email to me in August last year that it allows PIC flight time on Annex I aeroplanes to be counted towards the experience required for a Part-FCL IR, CPL, or ATPL.

But this is the definition of aeroplane in the same regulations"

"‘Aeroplane’ means an engine-driven fixed-wing aircraft heavier than air which is supported in flight by the dynamic reaction of the air against its wings.".

By this logic even microlights would be allowed and I know that's not the case, so I'm lost.

[Romeo__Mike]

Interesting thread. I'm in exactly the same boat. I've found a good share TBF but it's a 3 hour round trip