FAAST Blast — Week of July 24 –28, 2023
Biweekly FAA Safety Briefing News Update
FAA Proposes Rule to Enhance Safety and Performance of Light Sport Aircraft
The FAA is planning to enhance the safety and performance of Light Sport Aircraft operations under the Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification (MOSAIC) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). The proposed rule would put performance safety standards around larger aircraft that innovators are building by expanding the definition of Light Sport Aircraft.
The NPRM proposes an aircraft’s weight limit based on stall speed. By permitting higher stall speeds, the proposal would include aircraft weighing as much as 3,000 pounds within the Light Sport Aircraft regulatory framework. This more than doubles the weight of aircraft under the current definition of Light Sport of 1,320 pounds, allowing larger and stronger aircraft to qualify as Light Sport.
The proposal would also expand the type of aircraft sport pilots can operate and allows them to use their aircraft for a wider range of operations such as some aerial work. Although sport pilots could operate aircraft designed with up to four seats, they would remain limited to operating with only one passenger.
You can view the NPRM and provide comments by Oct. 23, 2023, at www.federalregister.gov/d/2023-14425.
Fly the Aircraft First
Fly the aircraft first — simple, yet essential words to, quite literally, live by. As NTSB data indicates, pilots who are focused on less critical tasks can lose control of their aircraft and crash.
Learn more on how to maintain aircraft control at all times and decrease distractions in our latest Fly Safe topic at www.medium.com/faa/fly-the-aircraft-first-9fff31a8c2e6.
Be sure to check out the 57 Seconds to Safer Flying video on flying the aircraft first during go-arounds at https://youtu.be/KhHKxzeKNr8.
The Art of Airplane Introductions
Most people appreciate the value of making a good first impression when it comes to meeting a potential employer or future in-laws, but the same is true when introducing your friends and family to general aviation. Learn how to go the extra mile to ensure a positive experience with preflight best practices in the “The Art of Airplane Introductions” online at https://medium.com/faa/the-art-of-airplane-introductions-6063070c5f6c.
For more articles from our Jul/Aug 2023 Flying Companion issue of FAA Safety Briefing magazine, go to www.faa.gov/safety_briefing.
Produced by the FAA Safety Briefing editors: www.faa.gov/ safety_briefing
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