Cessna abandoning LSA SkyCatcher? - Zenith Aircraft Builders and Flyers2024-03-28T22:43:56Zhttps://zenith.aero/forum/topics/cessna-abandoning-lsa-skycatcher?feed=yes&xn_auth=noIf they designed the Skycatch…tag:zenith.aero,2013-10-25:2606393:Comment:3184432013-10-25T05:51:51.078ZBob Pustellhttps://zenith.aero/profile/BobPustell
<p>If they designed the Skycatcher for two full size adults (makes for a bigger structure which is more weight) and full tanks (more weight, again) it would end up being too heavy for the Light Sprort category. The Light Sport Aircraft rules put designers into a pretty tight box. Most Light Sport planes are pretty marginal with two adults and fuel, let alone a bit of cargo. I think the general expectation is that folks will just fly them a bit over gross in order to make everything work out.…</p>
<p>If they designed the Skycatcher for two full size adults (makes for a bigger structure which is more weight) and full tanks (more weight, again) it would end up being too heavy for the Light Sprort category. The Light Sport Aircraft rules put designers into a pretty tight box. Most Light Sport planes are pretty marginal with two adults and fuel, let alone a bit of cargo. I think the general expectation is that folks will just fly them a bit over gross in order to make everything work out. Even our Zeniths are marginal two seaters unless the builder really works on keeping the weight down during construction -- we all need to avoid the temptation to add extra brackets and/or structure, handy storage boxes, extra radios, etc as we build.</p> I think, however, that compan…tag:zenith.aero,2013-10-24:2606393:Comment:3183352013-10-24T20:07:53.313ZJohn Austinhttps://zenith.aero/profile/JohnLAustin
<p>I think, however, that companies like Zenith would continue to do well. By plans or kit building, you still can have a "new" airplane with all the bells and whistles that non-certified technology allows for far less than most entry-level certified airplanes. Older, used planes would still be hampered by the high cost of maintenance, certified parts and certified avionics.</p>
<p>John</p>
<p>I think, however, that companies like Zenith would continue to do well. By plans or kit building, you still can have a "new" airplane with all the bells and whistles that non-certified technology allows for far less than most entry-level certified airplanes. Older, used planes would still be hampered by the high cost of maintenance, certified parts and certified avionics.</p>
<p>John</p> Ah, thanks for your insight o…tag:zenith.aero,2013-10-24:2606393:Comment:3183342013-10-24T19:34:45.924ZGary Engelmanhttps://zenith.aero/profile/GaryEngelman
<p>Ah, thanks for your insight on this, it makes it VERY clear to me now. I have to say i would love to see this happen as it would remove mean restriction now in place but i would also hate to see the end of LSA.</p>
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<p>Thanks</p>
<p>Ah, thanks for your insight on this, it makes it VERY clear to me now. I have to say i would love to see this happen as it would remove mean restriction now in place but i would also hate to see the end of LSA.</p>
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<p>Thanks</p> Gary,
I think Ken's explanati…tag:zenith.aero,2013-10-24:2606393:Comment:3185792013-10-24T19:15:27.864ZJohn Austinhttps://zenith.aero/profile/JohnLAustin
<p>Gary,</p>
<p>I think Ken's explanation pretty well lays it out. What all the hoo-rah is about is this:</p>
<ol>
<li>All private pilots have to have at least a 3rd class medical to fly any plane exceeding Light Sport parameters.</li>
<li>With the graying of the pilot population, the Light Sports look attractive since <em>as long as you've never been denied on a flight medical</em> (which is a huge Catch-22!),<em> </em>in the event of developing marginal health, one could self-certify as OK to…</li>
</ol>
<p>Gary,</p>
<p>I think Ken's explanation pretty well lays it out. What all the hoo-rah is about is this:</p>
<ol>
<li>All private pilots have to have at least a 3rd class medical to fly any plane exceeding Light Sport parameters.</li>
<li>With the graying of the pilot population, the Light Sports look attractive since <em>as long as you've never been denied on a flight medical</em> (which is a huge Catch-22!),<em> </em>in the event of developing marginal health, one could self-certify as OK to fly and continue to fly an airplane meeting Light Sport parameters with only a driver's license.</li>
<li>The Light Sport experience has shown that few accidents have occurred from medical incapacitation, therefore, there has been a push by AOPA, EAA, etc. to get the FAA to just do away with the 3rd Class Medical requirement for private pilots entirely.</li>
<li>If the 3rd Class was dropped, then (if nothing else changed), all general aviation planes could be flown with just a driver's license and self-certification as the medical requirement.</li>
<li>If that happened, it would probably kill the Light Sport industry as there is an ample supply of far less costly used general aviation planes available.</li>
<li>In my opinion, the FAA is incapable of making a simple change. <em>If</em> they ever get around to dropping the 3rd Class Medical, I'll bet you'll be restricted to 2 seats or four seats but just one passenger, non-high performance airplane/and or a slightly more generous gross wt. allowance than 1320 lbs ... but not too generous!</li>
</ol>
<p>Just my $.02 worth!</p>
<p>John</p>
<p>N750A</p> Sorry if I am being dense her…tag:zenith.aero,2013-10-24:2606393:Comment:3184862013-10-24T17:00:21.011ZGary Engelmanhttps://zenith.aero/profile/GaryEngelman
<p>Sorry if I am being dense here but what is a 3rd class Med cert? And by doing away with it would that not just make it the same as a LSA license?</p>
<p>Sorry if I am being dense here but what is a 3rd class Med cert? And by doing away with it would that not just make it the same as a LSA license?</p> Yes you can get a Light Sport…tag:zenith.aero,2013-10-24:2606393:Comment:3184172013-10-24T16:52:13.801ZKen Ryanhttps://zenith.aero/profile/KenRyan
<p>Yes you can get a Light Sport ticket by self-certifying your medical condition. <span style="font-size: 13px;">A medical certificate is required for a Private Pilot ticket (or higher). With a Light Sport ticket, you must adhere to the Light Sport rules, including flying only aircraft that meet the Light Sport criteria.</span></p>
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<p>One example is the gross weight limit of 1320 pounds. If you will be flying under the Light Sport rules, you would have to certify your airplane at 1320…</p>
<p>Yes you can get a Light Sport ticket by self-certifying your medical condition. <span style="font-size: 13px;">A medical certificate is required for a Private Pilot ticket (or higher). With a Light Sport ticket, you must adhere to the Light Sport rules, including flying only aircraft that meet the Light Sport criteria.</span></p>
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<p>One example is the gross weight limit of 1320 pounds. If you will be flying under the Light Sport rules, you would have to certify your airplane at 1320 (because that's the rule). If you will be flying under the Private Pilot (or higher) rules, you can certify your airplane at 1440 (because that's the structural limit).</p>
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<p>EAA has been lobbying FAA to do away with the 3rd Class Medical Certification, arguing that self-certification makes more sense. So far FAA has not ruled on the request. As far as I know, they have given no indication of when or how they will rule.</p> So this is confusing to me, c…tag:zenith.aero,2013-10-24:2606393:Comment:3185752013-10-24T16:32:45.692ZGary Engelmanhttps://zenith.aero/profile/GaryEngelman
<p>So this is confusing to me, cant you get a LSA license now with a drivers license? So what is a 3rd class and how would it be any different?</p>
<p>So this is confusing to me, cant you get a LSA license now with a drivers license? So what is a 3rd class and how would it be any different?</p> Last thing I read was that in…tag:zenith.aero,2013-10-24:2606393:Comment:3184062013-10-24T13:06:04.324ZJohn Austinhttps://zenith.aero/profile/JohnLAustin
<p>Last thing I read was that in April this year, AOPA and EAA met with Huerta (FAA) and was either told or given the impression that the driver's license medical "wasn't a priority" of the FAA. In government-speak, that means they'll get around to it by the next ice age.</p>
<p>John</p>
<p>N75A</p>
<p>Last thing I read was that in April this year, AOPA and EAA met with Huerta (FAA) and was either told or given the impression that the driver's license medical "wasn't a priority" of the FAA. In government-speak, that means they'll get around to it by the next ice age.</p>
<p>John</p>
<p>N75A</p> I would have loved a C152III…tag:zenith.aero,2013-10-24:2606393:Comment:3184032013-10-24T12:35:51.920ZCliff Chrousthttps://zenith.aero/profile/CliffChroust
<p>I would have loved a C152III instead Cessna built the skycatcher. I'm over 6'2" and cant get in the plane wiht an instructor and 1/2 tanks... The target for the skycatcher should have been 2 average humans and full tanks. If you cant get that done don't build it. How Cessna decided to build to a different target is beyond me. Atleast piper figure out you can licence aircraft...</p>
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<p>I would have loved a C152III instead Cessna built the skycatcher. I'm over 6'2" and cant get in the plane wiht an instructor and 1/2 tanks... The target for the skycatcher should have been 2 average humans and full tanks. If you cant get that done don't build it. How Cessna decided to build to a different target is beyond me. Atleast piper figure out you can licence aircraft...</p>
<p> </p> 3rd class medical goes to dri…tag:zenith.aero,2013-10-24:2606393:Comment:3183102013-10-24T03:46:37.887ZGary Engelmanhttps://zenith.aero/profile/GaryEngelman
<p><strong>3rd class medical goes to drivers license.</strong></p>
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<p><strong>Any info on this, I'm not sure what it is?</strong></p>
<p><strong>3rd class medical goes to drivers license.</strong></p>
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<p><strong>Any info on this, I'm not sure what it is?</strong></p>