EAA, LAMA to Promote Light-Sport Aircraft Community

July 6, 2005

The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association (LAMA) agreed to jointly promote the light-sport aircraft sector by supporting those who purchase, build or fly light-sport aircraft.

The agreement will allow LAMA, which represents aviation suppliers and manufacturers of ready-to-fly light-sport aircraft and sport-pilot-compliant aircraft kits, to combine with the flight-enthusiast members of EAA to promote this new facet of flying, which was made possible by the new sport pilot rule that went into effect in September 2004.

The new category of aviation was further bolstered in March when the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) accepted 15 standards developed by ASTM International Committee F37 on Light Sport Aircraft. The referenced documents affect fixed-wing airplanes, powered parachutes, gyroplanes, lighter-than-air aircraft, airframe emergency parachutes and engines.

"Even though the sport pilot rule has been in effect for less than one year, great strides have been made to create an infrastructure that will get people into the sky in less time and with less money," said Rick Larsen, EAA vice president of marketing.

Enthusiasts who purchase an aircraft or a minimum order of supplier products from any LAMA member company will be able to fully participate in EAA's programs and activities that encourage and support recreational aviation. Meanwhile, EAA will showcase LAMA member manufacturers through its events, programs and publications, presenting the array of aircraft available through those manufacturers. This includes the EAA Sport Pilot Tour, which brings aircraft and information to aviation enthusiasts at various locations throughout the country.

A number of LAMA member companies will be participating at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2005. Manufacturers will stage their aircraft in EAA's special "light-sport aircraft mall," letting aviation enthusiasts see aircraft models, talk to factory representatives and find the aircraft that best suits their kind of flying.

The EAA/LAMA agreement also envisions the creation of additional resources and information for sport pilots and light-sport aircraft owners. Those joint initiatives will be introduced throughout the upcoming year, and will present exciting new ways for people to enter the world of light-sport aircraft flying and activities. Both organizations have been involved in the development of the sport-pilot rule and the creation of essential ASTM International standards for light-sport aircraft.

Source: Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA).