Light sport aircrafts should weigh no more than 1,320 pounds, seat two people, have non-retractable landing gear and strict speed limitations.
The Transition gained exceptions to be heavier, caused by federal automobile safety requirements, and to exceed the speed limits, because a heavier airplane has to fly faster.
Pilots can operate the aircraft with a “sport” license, which requires 20 hours of lessons.
The light sport classification was created in 2004 to allow airplane makers to design personal aircraft without the intense regulation required for larger flying machines. Bringing a new model aircraft to market in heavier “general aviation” classifications costs at least $50 million, said Carl Dietrich, Terrafugia’s co-founder, chief executive and chief technology officer.
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