Another rebuttal.....

84KF · 26 Apr 2008

Jay & Beverly to kitfox-list

--> Kitfox-List message posted by: "Jay & Beverly"

"It would be nice if current TO weight could be used. If this were the case I think there would be more normal category aircraft available to sport pilots. If the TO weight can be used, the authorities that have that information are treating it like a state secret. I think AOPA, EAA, and anyone with a normal category aircraft for sale that has a weight just above 1320 would have banner headlines with that information."

"It would be nice if current TO weight could be used"

Some one is not paying attention.....

"If this were the case I think there would be more normal category aircraft available to sport pilots"

No, because the empty weight of these aircraft would put them over the weight limit when all else is figured in.

Once again, from http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/regulatory/sport_rule.pdf page 44793:

"Some commenters stated that lacking a definition of maximum takeoff weight, aircraft with fairly high performance characteristics could meet the definition of light-sport aircraft by limiting the approved weight and payload of the airplane. The FAA considers this a valid concern and has provided some additional constraints on the weight as detailed below.

The maximum weight of a light-sport aircraft is the sum of:

(1) Aircraft empty weight;

(2) Weight of the passenger for each

seat installed;

(3) Baggage allowance for each

passenger; and

(4) Full fuel, including a minimum of

the half-hour fuel reserve required for

day visual flight rules in § 91.151(a)(1).

Take any certificated aircraft, and using the data in it's TCDS do the math, and see for yourself.

Now, you won't find "empty weight" in a TCDS, because it varies from aircraft to aircraft. Do some research, find the typical empty weight of any certificated aircraft NOT on the list, apply the "formula" and see that they are unable to meet the definition.

Faa link.... http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/gen_av/light_sport/media/existing_models.pdf

EAA link... http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/regulatory/sport_aircraft.html

One will not find any certificated aircraft not on the list, that would be otherwise.

These boys (FAA) did their homework on this one...they have all bases covered.

"If the TO weight can be used, the authorities that have that information are treating it like a state secret"

The "information" has been available since July 24, 2007.

http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/regulatory/sport_rule.pdf

Steve