Light aircraft categories
Ultralight, light sport or microlight aircraft have different rules by country. The categories are in many parameters the same, but there is a list of main light aircraft categories in USA, Canada, Europe, Australia and India.
Main categories for light sport or ultralight aircraft
LSA - Light sport aircraft
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Canadian advanced ultalight category
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USA light sport aircraft category
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European E-LSA category
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Australia light sport aircraft category
Ultralight aircraft
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Canadian basic ultralight category
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USA ultralight category
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Europe ultralight category
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Australia ultralight category
Comparison of categories
| Empty weight | Gross weight | Stall speed | Cruise speed | Practical wing area | # of seats | Engine power | Fuel capacity | |
| Light sport aircraft | ||||||||
|
USA light sport aircraft category
|
< 1320 lb | < 51 mph | < 138 mph | < 2 | ||||
|
Canadian advanced ultalight category
|
< 770 lb (single place) < 1232 lb (two place) |
< 45 mph | < 2 | |||||
|
European E-LSA category
|
< 771 lb | < 1320 lb | < 51 mph | > 118.4 sqft | < 2 | |||
|
Australia light sport aircraft category
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< 1323 lb | < 52 mph | < 2 | |||||
| Ultralights | ||||||||
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Canadian basic ultralight category
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< 1200 lb | < 45 mph | < 2 (passenger must have pilot licence) | |||||
|
USA ultralight category
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< 254 lb | < 28 mph | 1 | < 5 U.S. Gallons | ||||
|
Europe ultralight category
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< 661 (single place) < 992 lb (two place) < 1041 lb (two place with BRS) |
< 40 mph | < 2 | |||||
|
Australia ultralight category
|
< 1199 lb | < 52 mph | < 2 | |||||
