Today through Sunday January 22 the sport aviation community once again gathers in Sebring, FL, to experience the Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) industry’s latest developments; the 8th year for this annual event. Last year it’s reported 180 exhibitors from the U.S. and abroad along with 14,000 attendees made the trip to Sebring.
According to http://www.bydanjohnson.com/Sidebar.cfm?Article_ID=1534#607 there have been some 2,200 Special Light Sport Aircraft (SLSA) registrations in the United States. An impressive statistic since this industry really took hold with the FAA ruling in 2004. This number does not include the Experimental Light Sport Aircraft (ELSA), powered parachutes, and weight shift types of recreational aircraft.
SLSA are factory-built aircraft designed and constructed in accordance with the ASTM consensus standards for light sport aircraft. SLSA can be maintained and inspected by the holder of an Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certificated person, or the holder of an FAA Repairman certificate with LSA maintenance and/or inspection rating (the training requirements for SLSA Repairman certificates are less than the A&P). For those non-A&P holders interested in learning more, Advisory Circular AC 65-32 explains certification of Light Sport Aircraft Repairman.
Here’s my question, with more than 2,000 SLSA aircraft added to the general aviation segment all requiring maintenance, have any of you GA shops seen additional business or maintenance revenue? I’m aware of a few that have developed a niche market for LSA maintenance. I also know of LSA owners who have received the Repairman certificate in order to accomplish maintenance themselves. What’s your experience been – we’d like to hear. Ron
