FAA Sport Pilot Airplane (SPA)RegulationsEasy
A manufacturer completes assembly of a new, ready-to-fly light-sport airplane intended for sale to the general public. Which type of airworthiness certificate should be issued for this aircraft?
- AExperimental Light-Sport Aircraft (E-LSA) airworthiness certificate
- BSpecial Light-Sport Aircraft (S-LSA) airworthiness certificate
- CProvisional airworthiness certificate
- DStandard airworthiness certificate
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Special Light-Sport Aircraft (S-LSA) airworthiness certificate
Factory-built, ready-to-fly light-sport aircraft sold complete by the manufacturer are issued a Special Light-Sport Aircraft (S-LSA) airworthiness certificate. Experimental Light-Sport (E-LSA) certificates apply to kit-built aircraft assembled by the owner, not factory-completed aircraft sold ready-to-fly.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. E-LSA applies to kit-assembled aircraft, not ready-to-fly units.
- C. Provisional certificates are not used for LSA.
- D. Standard certificates apply to type-certificated aircraft, not most LSAs.
S-LSA vs E-LSA
S-LSA is issued for factory-built, ready-to-fly light-sport aircraft; E-LSA is issued for kit-built or ex-S-LSA aircraft assembled by the owner.
- S-LSA = factory complete, ready-to-fly
- E-LSA = kit-assembled or converted from S-LSA
- Both fall under the LSA airworthiness framework, not standard category
Memory trick: 'S is for Store-bought, E is for Experimenter-built.'