Aerobatic homebuilt Light Sport Aircraft options

[At7000ft]

I am a 2200 hr. CFII with no medical who used to teach flying including
aerobatics long ago. I also like building things so when I heard of the
upcoming Sport Pilot rating and Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) category I started
thinking maybe I could get into flying again. After having experienced
aerobatic flying I think I would be bored with something I couldn't do
intermediate (inside) aerobatics (have no interest in competition aerobatics).
Question is what options are available? I would prefer a biplane and with the
gross weight limit 1232 lbs. a 2 place is out of the question. How about an
S1-S Pitts? If kept light and with a medium HP engine (maybe 150 or under) do
you think it may qualify with a max speed under 132 mph and stall under 51 mph?

And another associated question, the LSA max stall speed in what they call
landing configuration is 44 mph. If a LSA has no flaps (and thus no landing
configuration) then must its max stall speed be 44 mph rather that the
non-landing configuration max of 51 mph?

[Rob Petit]

I've been looking into this for a little while and here's what I've found:

A Pitts S1C/D (2/4 aileron, flat wing) with a small enough (100hp) engine
may fit. I can't find stall numbers for the C. The S1S is too fast both in
cruise and stall speed (stalls around 55 - 60mph). (I'm not sure you
could/would want to put a lower power engine in it.)

Most biplanes I've looked at have too high a stall speed. The starduster
VStar (SA-900) with the right engine might fit. Their site
(www.starduster.com) claims it's aerobatic, but I haven't seen any flying.
a baby great lakes might work, but the stall numbers I've seen for it are
around 50mph, so it's a little high. (without flaps, the stall required is
the 44mph number)

It seems to me, to get a reasonably performing LSA for aerobatics you need
to go monoplane. The Rans S-9, S-10 are aerobatic and I know there are
people who have competed with them (www.rans.com). The Sonex
(www.sonex-ltd.com) claims to be aerobatic, at the right gross weight,
although I don't know of anyone flying aerobatics with it. The S9/10 and
the Sonex are both kit planes.

If you are willing to restore instead of build, some variations of the J-3
cub and Taylorcraft will fit the LSA definition as well.

Hope this helps.

I would be interested in hearing about any other options you find out there.

Rob Petit

"At7000ft" <at70...@aol.com> wrote in message
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[Ed Sullivan]

I think the Baby Lakes might qualify. As I recall it stalls at about 42 mph
and is a real hoot to fly. Empty weight is less than 500 lbs. Does nice
weekend aerobatics.The one I used to fly had a Continental A-75, but I think
it might accept a little bigger engine.

Ed Sullivan

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[Edward R. Bennett]

I currently have a V-Star that according to the Sport Category published
about a year ago by the EVA, fits. I do have a 150 hp O-320 Lycoming on it
currently. The stall speed is around 39 mph and the gross weight is about
1070 lbs. The wing span is 23 feet, much larger than the Pitts but
obviously not the same performance since a little more airplane, but not
much, is around you. The VS.-Star is rated at +6 and ultimate of +9 g's
enabling the aerobatic category short of intermediate if I am not mistaken.
I'm sure a hangar lawyer will respond to dictate the accurate ratings.
Anyway, You can see a picture of mine on www.Barnstormers2000.com under
Stolp and VS.-Star. I have had the airplane on and off the market for about
a year. I really have not wanted to sell it since it is quite a nice
performer.

Regards,

Ed Bennett
Queenstown, MD
Strrap...@hotmail.com

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