In Australia we have three rv3's registered as LSA's. we do not have a restriction on max airspeed. We have a restriction on max take off weight and a minimum stall speed which the rv3 fits
Steve Lenne
RV3 completed and flying. Registered lsa.
Any reason an RV3 can't be flown in an LSA category? I know they have carbon cubs with 180 engines that are LSA.
Come on, guys; look at the Carbon Cub LSA & experimental versions. Do you really believe that the exp version won't go faster than 138 at full throttle with a 180 HP engine? It's the same plane as the LSA version.
Charlie
The LSA limitations have nothing to do with HP but everything thing to do with gross weight, stall speed, speed at sea level with max continuous power, and more.
You will have to work hard to slow an RV-3 down. Limiting max continuous power is one way and may be a questionable solution.
The rumor from FAA employees when the LSA rules were drafted was that the guys coming up w/the numbers had Ercoupe's, so the performance of that a/c became the poster child for LSA max performance.
Doug Lomheim
RV-9A Mazda 13B/FWF
For the last 10 years I have been building a 3B LSA. C85, cruise/climb prop, no wheel pants and LIGHT. I worked with the late Marty Hollman to get the function and he gave me a function to work with. Using above parameters it fits the rule. The mods have added years. Also the custom slider I built was difficult. I have loved the challenge. Getting close.
If you have to build it as an LSA as someone said then how do Ercoupes, Champs, and Cubs, all certified airplanes meet the requirements? I get the speed, weight issues.
To meet stall speed I am building light.
Bob Grigsby
Good point. But if built light, and the initial gross weight is set a few knots slower, it shouldn't be too difficult to meet the no flaps stall number. Anyone have a good idea on how many knots the -3's flaps are good for?
Charlie