About Light Sport Aircraft
LSA are heavier and more sophisticated than ultralight aircraft, but the restrictions on weight and performance separate them from general-aviation aircraft. The light sport aircraft category includes smaller planes, gliders, gyroplanes, powered parachutes, weight-shift-control aircraft, airships, and air balloons. They are considered easier to fly and less expensive than other aircraft classifications.

Storm Rally Light Sport Aircraft
Light sport aircraft typically have two seats maximum, one engine, a fixed-pitch or ground adjustable propeller, an unpressurized cabin, fixed landing gear (except for gliders and seaplanes), a max gross takeoff weight of 600 kilograms (1,323 pounds) or 650 kg (1,433 lbs) for float planes, a 45-knot (83-km/h) CAS (calibrated airspeed) max stall speed, and a 120-knot (222-km/h) CAS max airspeed.
Light Sport Aircraft Subtypes
LSA can also include previously manufactured aircraft that meet LSA requirements; special light sport aircraft (S-LSA), or ready-to-fly, factory-built aircraft that follow international design standards and can be used commercially; and experimental LSA (E-LSA), which include kit- and amateur-built aircraft meeting LSA requirements. Note that E-LSA can’t be used commercially but can be used for training if the student owns the aircraft.
Flight Requirements
The Recreational Aviation Australia (RA-Aus) regulates sport aircraft and pilots under the auspices of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). RA-Aus-registered aircraft may only be flown in the daylight per visual flight rules (VFR) outside of controlled areas (OCTA). There is a 152-metre (500-foot) minimum altitude and a 3,048-m (10,000-ft) maximum altitude in most cases, and the aircraft must remain within gliding distance of dry land free of houses or buildings.
Informed participants can train in a light sport aircraft for a recreational aviation certificate with a radio operator endorsement, and those hours can be applied toward a private pilot licence (PPL) or commercial pilot licence (CPL). An LSA pilot can continue training to secure further endorsements such as passenger carrying, cross country, retractable undercarriage, and others.
Find The Right Light Sport Aircraft
Look for new and used light sport aircraft for sale on AviationTrader.com.au. Manufacturers include Cessna, Czech Sport Aircraft, Icon, Jabiru, Magnus, Tecnam, and others.