Aviation Communities Are Buzzing with Light Sports Aircraft
Light Sports Aircraft (LSA) are an exciting new area of aviation that has spurred much interest to new and old aviators alike. It is a very exciting type of flying though it does have a few limitations. More pilots are opting towards this new genre of flying and are looking for places to fly. Aviation Communities can offer an exciting and affordable way for pilots to have, keep and fly these little possessions right at their own home.
Besides being easier to become licensed to fly in (unless you are already a rated pilot in which case you are all set) these LSA aircraft have a few additional limitations. They are limited to 1320 lbs gross weight (fully loaded). IF a sea plane, they may weight a few pounds more. There are also speed limitations. They can’t go faster, in cruise, than 138 mph and most stall at a speed below 51 miles per hour. Stall speed is the speed where the wings can no longer fly. Seating is limited to 2 seats. They can only have a single engine and their wheels must always be down (no retractable allowed in LSA).
Many older pilots, feeling very healthy, none the less worry about the day the medical examiner says, “You can’t fly anymore”. This can be a sad day to a person who has loved aviation all his or her life. One big benefit is that with LSA there is no medical exam required to fly. Pilots are left to make their own judgments as to their own fitness to fly. This can be a big deal to many aviators. [youtube:rVuI0kSNQeY?version=3;A Tour of a Hangar Home;http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVuI0kSNQeY?version=3&feature=related]
Private pilots as well as seasoned past airline pilots can find that their deepest desires to fly easily tamed by the new LSA aircraft. After years of flying, a large number of pilots begin to seek something more simple and basic, that uses small amounts of fuel, cheaper to operate, yet still allows them to get aloft and enjoy the thrills of the most basic aspects to aviation.
Though simple in many ways, many of these new LSA models are all but simple. Many are made of very modern composite materials, have sophisticated navigation and other avionics and have other qualities that turn the heads of the most ardent pilots. And with 100′s of manufacturers out there, the competition is helping to keep the prices in line. Also, as the fleet ages, we can expect prices to come down even more.
With more and more getting into aviation by way of LSA, there becomes the problem of where to keep these little puppies. Most of us love to have our most valued possessions close by – in our garage or out in the yard. With any type of aircraft, including LSA, this poses a problem. Runways are required to takeoff and land these airplanes. Usually this means keeping one’s airplane several miles away at the local airport and enduring commutes back and forth to fly or just “be” with you airplane.
Fortunately, airplanes can be stored near home. There are aviation communities out there (most every state in the United States has them) where the homes have hangar (small or large) and the communities share one or more runways. You will see, in these communities, airplanes, large and small, taxiing along the same streets as the cars, as they make their way to or from the runway. These unique communities are populated with the most interesting folks who share a common interest. Living in one of these communities, you can decide you want to be in the air and literally be flying within minutes. What freedom!
As of mid-2011 (the time this article is written) there are really excellent deals out there on lots and home in these aviation communities. The real estate crash affected these communities too, though not quite as much as the mainstream residential market.
If you have ever dreamed to be a pilot, or if you are a current pilot who has not flown in a while or even seasoned and active, and dreamed of being able to fly with the birds on a moment’s notice, free of large airports, free of the commute to the airport, perhaps it’s a good time to get out there and see what is available in your local fly-in community.
One can but a hangar home that is already built or a lot to build upon. Right now purchasing a piece of land and having that “perfect” home and hangar designed can be an excellent enterprise because there are some excellent construction deals out there (mid-2011). There are many builders who are just looking for something to do. Why not take advantage?
Whether you are a seasoned pilot looking for a simpler aviation game, or a newbie looking for a bit easier way to get that flying ticket, LSA offers an amazing opportunity. And, as in most areas of life, the truth is that there is no other time than now to act and begin anything new.
Ken Risley, the Engineer Designer, is an award winning designer with emphasis in Hangar Home Design. He can help you turn your residential design dream into reality.
July 21, 2011 | Posted by Ken Risley
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