Before You Buy a Foreign-Manufactured S-LSA

Many aircraft manufactured in European and Eastern European countries are poised to enter the United States light-sport aircraft market as special light-sport aircraft (S-LSA) because the European microlight standards have, for years, allowed the manufacture of ready-to-fly aircraft that closely match the definition of an LSA.
Like all LSA manufactured in the United States, these aircraft must meet the consensus standards established for LSA. In addition, the aviation authority in the aircraft’s country of origin must have a bilateral agreement with FAA, and the aircraft must be eligible for certification in that country. The manufacturer must also test fly the aircraft prior to shipping it to the U.S. Lastly, before the aircraft is offered for sale in the U.S., the dealer/distributor should already have certificated the aircraft as an S-LSA. (This applies to domestic aircraft as well.)
As with all aircraft purchases, wise buyers will adopt a “buyer beware” attitude to make sure that the dealer/distributor will be able to provide after-the-sale services, including timely parts replacement.