Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 10, 2024

In order to be flown by a sport pilot, the resulting airplane must still meet the current regulations—1,320 pounds maximum gross weight, 120 knots max cruise speed, for example—but how it gets there is up to the builder. The large canopy pivots at the firewall, so it’s up and out of the way as you settle in.

Airplanes

Plane and Pilot

MAY 3, 2025

Nothing happens especially quicklyno hair-trigger responses hereplus they are positively trim stable in pitch, handle turbulence well considering their wing loading, and generally dont ask a lot of a pilot. There were only five stall-related accidents, most on high density altitude takeoffs at or near gross weight.

Approach

AV Web

JULY 1, 2025

Before anything else, these are single-engine, unpressurized two-seat lightweights with a max gross weight of 1320 pounds. Check that against the max gross of a Piper Malibu at roughly 4300 pounds, or a Beech A36 Bonanza at around 3650 pounds or a Cessna 150 at 1600 pounds gross. Same for gliders.

Gross Weight

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 10, 2024

In order to be flown by a sport pilot, the resulting airplane must still meet the current regulations—1,320 pounds maximum gross weight, 120 knots max cruise speed, for example—but how it gets there is up to the builder. The large canopy pivots at the firewall, so it’s up and out of the way as you settle in.

Airplanes