[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 110 (Friday, June 8, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 31713]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-2835]



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  Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 110 / Friday, June 8, 2007 / Rules 
and Regulations  

[[Page 31713]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 1

[Docket No. FAA-2007-27160; Amendment No. 1-56]
RIN 2120-AI97


Changes to the Definition of Certain Light-Sport Aircraft

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Disposition of comments on direct final rule; confirmation of 
effective date.

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SUMMARY: On April 19, 2007, the FAA published a Direct Final Rule to 
amend the definition of a light-sport aircraft (LSA) in two areas. The 
changes permit development of lighter-than-air (LTA) LSA, and allow 
retractable landing gear for LSA intended for operation on water.

ADDRESSES: The complete docket for the Direct Final Rule on the LSA 
definition may be examined through the Department of Transportation's 
Docket Management System at http://www.dms.dot.gov. Use the Simple 
Search selection and type in the docket number, 27160.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Larry Werth, ACE-114, Small Airplane 
Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, MO 64106; telephone 
(816) 329-4147; fax: 816-329-4090; e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On July 27, 2004, the FAA issued the ``Certification of Aircraft 
and Airmen for the Operation of Light-Sport Aircraft'' final rule (69 
FR 44772). That rule established a definition for the term ``Light-
Sport Aircraft'' (LSA). Since we adopted that rule, the FAA has been 
working with the LSA industry in evaluating the overall LSA program. 
The past two years have seen remarkable growth in the overall LSA 
program. Over 600 new factory-built airplanes, powered parachutes, and 
weight-shift control aircraft have received airworthiness certificates. 
The exceptions to this rapid growth are lighter-than-air (LTA) LSA and 
LSA intended for operation on water.
    In the first area, the FAA determined the current LTA LSA maximum 
takeoff weight (MTW) of 660 pounds (300 kilograms) precluded the 
desired effect of industry design and development of safe LTA LSA. The 
Direct Final Rule increased the LTA MTW to 1,320 pounds. In the second 
area, the FAA determined the physical differences between LSA intended 
for operation on water (amphibious LSA) and land-based LSA justify 
allowing retractable landing gear for amphibious LSA.
    The Direct Final Rule containing these changes were issued April 9, 
2007, and was published on April 19, 2007 (72 FR 19661). The public 
comment period closed May 21, 2007.

Discussion of Comments

    The FAA received two comments from individuals in response to the 
Direct Final Rule.
    One commenter suggested the regulation be amended to restrict the 
use of LSA to only unpopulated areas. This rulemaking is limited to the 
definition of LSA and changing the areas where LSA may operate is 
clearly beyond the scope of the Direct Final Rule.
    The other commenter fully supports the revised definition and 
recommended consideration of design changes to facilitate egress from 
LSA should they crash and submerge inverted. The FAA has determined 
that this comment has merit; however, it is also beyond the scope of 
this rulemaking.
    Committee F37 of ASTM International (originally formed as the 
American Society for Testing and Materials) developed the LSA design 
consensus standards. We will share the commenter's design change 
recommendations with the LSA industry through Committee F37 which has 
an ongoing responsibility to continually review LSA consensus 
standards.

Conclusion

    After consideration of the comments submitted in response to the 
Direct Final Rule, the FAA has determined that no further rulemaking 
action is necessary. Amendment 1-56 remains in effect as adopted and is 
effective June 4, 2007.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on June 4, 2007.
John J. Hickey,
Director, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 07-2835 Filed 6-7-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M