Definition
An FAA airworthiness certification category for light-sport aircraft issued under the experimental classification. E-LSA includes aircraft built from a manufacturer's kit that matches an existing Special Light-Sport Aircraft (S-LSA) design, S-LSA aircraft converted to experimental status (often to allow owner modifications or owner-performed maintenance), and certain previously unregistered ultralight-type aircraft brought into the LSA framework during the original transition period. E-LSA aircraft must meet the LSA performance limits (such as maximum takeoff weight, stall speed, and seating) but are not held to the ongoing manufacturer-controlled standards required of S-LSA. They may not be used for compensated flight training or rental.
Plain English
A light-sport aircraft that carries an experimental airworthiness certificate. It either started as a kit-built version of a factory light-sport design or is a factory light-sport aircraft that was moved into the experimental category so the owner could modify or maintain it themselves. It is flown for personal use, not for paid training or rental.
Context Anchor
Seen when comparing types of light-sport aircraft, reviewing aircraft paperwork, buying or operating a light-sport aircraft, or checking what maintenance and use rules apply.
Derivation
"Experimental" is the FAA airworthiness category historically used for aircraft that don't meet standard type certification, including amateur-built and research aircraft. "Light-Sport" refers to the LSA rules introduced in 2004 defining a class of small, simple aircraft. Combining the two signals: a light-sport aircraft that lives under the experimental rules rather than the stricter S-LSA standards.
Why Pilots Care
Determines the operating limitations, inspection requirements, and pilot certificate privileges that apply to the aircraft.
Grounding Statement
If the aircraft paperwork says experimental, the airplane may be fully flyable, but the pilot must follow that aircraft’s specific operating limits.
Intuition Check
Do not assume experimental means homemade, unsafe, or not ready to fly. Here it means the aircraft is certificated in the FAA experimental category while still meeting light-sport aircraft limits.
Example Sentence 1
Because the airplane was certificated as E-LSA, the owner was able to perform his own annual condition inspection after completing the required FAA course.
Example Sentence 2
Before the annual condition inspection, the owner reviewed the operating limitations issued with the E-LSA's experimental certificate.