Definition
A category of small, simple airplane defined by the FAA with strict limits on weight, speed, seating, and configuration. A light-sport airplane has a maximum gross takeoff weight of 1,320 pounds (1,430 pounds for seaplanes), a maximum stall speed of 45 knots in landing configuration, a maximum cruise speed of 120 knots, no more than two seats, a single reciprocating engine, fixed landing gear (or repositionable for seaplanes), and a fixed or ground-adjustable propeller. It can be flown by a pilot holding at least a Sport Pilot certificate.
Plain English
A small, basic two-seat airplane that meets a specific set of FAA size and performance limits. Because it stays within those limits, it can be flown with the simplest pilot certificate available.
Context Anchor
Seen in training material about sport pilot flying and in discussions of which airplanes a sport pilot may operate.
Derivation
The name describes the category directly: 'light' refers to the strict weight limit, and 'sport' reflects that this class was created for recreational flying rather than commercial or heavy-duty use.
Why Pilots Care
It enables pilots to fly with a Sport Pilot certificate that requires fewer training hours and no FAA medical certificate, lowering barriers to recreational flying.
Intuition Check
Do not read light-sport airplane as simply “a lightweight airplane used for fun.” In FAA use, it means an airplane that fits a specific set of legal design and performance limits.
Example Sentence 1
She earned her Sport Pilot certificate so she could fly the club's light-sport airplane on weekend trips.
Example Sentence 2
Many pilots choose a light-sport airplane because it keeps operating costs low for weekend local flights.