Committee F37 on Light Sport Aircraft

Staff Manager: Joe Koury

This Committee addresses issues related to design, performance, quality acceptance tests, and safety monitoring for light sport aircraft (LSA). LSA includes the two categories of aircraft created by the Certification of Aircraft and Airmen for the Operation of Light Sport Aircraft NPRM: (1) special light-sport aircraft (used for personal flight and flight training), or (2) rental and experimental light-sport kit aircraft (any level of kit from zero to 95-percent prebuilt).

Committee F37 meets twice a year, usually in May and October, with members attending two to three days of technical meetings. The Committee, with a membership of approximately 228, currently has jurisdiction of over 32 standards, published in the Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Volume 15.09. F37 has 7 technical subcommittees that maintain jurisdiction over these standards. Information on this subcommittee structure and F37's portfolio of approved standards and Work Items under construction are available from the List of Subcommittees, Standards and Work Items below.

The focus of the Committee is the development of technical publications for LSA, including: (1) Minimum safety, performance, and flight proficiency requirements. (2) Quality assurance - to install manufacturing controls that will assure aircraft conform to design criteria. (3) Completed aircraft production acceptance tests and procedures assuring completed aircraft meet reported performance as demonstrated in the prototype aircraft. This includes limits such as: empty weight and center of gravity, performance specifications, controllability and maneuverability trim, stability, stall speed and handling characteristics, engine cooling and operating characteristics, propeller limits, systems functions, and folding or removable lifting surfaces. (4) A baseline plan for continued airworthiness systems, including methods for monitoring and maintaining continued operational safety, and processes for identifying, reporting, and remedying safety-of-flight issues. Stakeholders engaged in this standards initiative include manufactures of LSA (airplanes, gliders, powered parachutes, weight shift controlled aircraft, gyroplanes, etc), instructors, recreational pilots, parts manufactures, and the regulatory community.