What Qualifies as a Light Sport Aircraft (LSA)?
This is a slightly complicated topic, however, for our purposes lets consider "Pre-MOSAIC" and "Post-MOSAIC" rules to explain this category. For "Pre-MOSAIC", LSA were strictly limited to; Max Takeoff weight of 1320lbs (Land) and 1430lbs (Sea/Amphibious), Max 2 seats, Max stall speed of 45knots CAS, Max cruise speed of 120 knots CAS, Fixed-pitch prop, fixed landing gear (generally), single reciprocating engine. These restrictions kept them simple, light and low-performance!
However, in a "Post-MOSAIC" world LSA have the following changes; No max weight limit, Up to 4 seats, Higher stall speed of 61 knots CAS, Max level speed up to 250 knots CAS, Allowing retractable gear, Controllable-pitch probs, Multi-engine, electric/turbine propulsion, Broader aircraft types, Night operations and Limited aerial work with endorsements/training.
Explore the following for specifics!
Airplane (Land & Sea)
Pre-MOSAIC
2 seats, 1,320 lb (land)/1,430 lb (sea) max, Vs1 ≤45 kts, cruise ≤120 kts, fixed gear/prop, single recip engine.
Post-MOSAIC
4 seats (sport pilot still 2 occupants max), no weight limit, Vs1 ≤59 kts clean (sport pilot), Vso ≤61 kts (cert), up to 250 kts, retractable gear, controllable pitch prop, multi-engine, electric/turbine allowed.
Glider
Pre-MOSAIC
2 seats, 1,320 lb max, stall ≤45 kts Vso.
Post-MOSAIC
2 seats, no weight limit, stall ≤45 kts Vso (higher performance possible).
Gyro (Rotorcraft)
Pre-MOSAIC
2 seats, 1,320 lb max, Vs1 ≤45 kts, fixed-pitch rotor.
Post-MOSAIC
2 seats, no weight limit, higher speeds/performance, same stall limit.
Helicopter (simplified controls)
Pre-MOSAIC
Not allowed as LSA.
Post-MOSAIC
2 seats, no weight limit, simplified flight controls designation only, model-specific training/endorsement required.
Powered Parachute
Pre-MOSAIC
2 seats, 1,320 lb max, Vs1 ≤45 kts.
Post-MOSAIC
2 seats, no weight limit, same stall limit, higher speeds allowed.
Weight-shift control
Pre-MOSAIC
2 seats, 1,320 lb max, Vs1 ≤45 kts (no flaps).
Post-MOSAIC
2 seats, no weight limit, same stall limit.