Yes, yes, I know — in-flight adjustable props are not permitted on U.S. Light-Sport Aircraft by regulation. They are allowed in many other countries, such as most of Europe, but not in America …well, yet at least. A new investigation with FAA regarding the safety possibilities — and very simple operation — of such equipment has the federal agency at least considering a way it could be introduced to Yankee pilots. That’s great news and we commend the FAA for listening. We referred the following video to agency executives so they can see how the idea works: a single throttle-like lever that not only affects engine speed but also prop pitch adjustment, without the pilot having to do anything more than specify what he or she desires by the position of that single lever control. Learn the details in this video.
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Dan, can you identify the FAA individual/office that is working the single lever control for constant speed prop for LSA?
Hi Jack: The project is lead by a team of personnel in aircraft certification.
Is the Rotax 915 available for any plane at this time?
Hi Reid: Several kit airplanes are adding the Rotax 915iS. A small number are flying, for example, AirCam. Experimental Amateur Built aircraft are not restricted by regulation as are Light-Sport Aircraft. Since Lever Control that will neatly accommodate the 915 should be coming for LSA as FAA has shown interest in the SLC concept (as already certified on Cirrus and others) but Rotax’s main boss also suggested that a fixed-pitch-prop 915 is coming “…because all our Rotax aircraft engines can use fixed pitch, so take from that what you will about the 915.”