a([HFXWLYH 

### Summary 

# Strategic Plan Light-SportAircraft

The hitentofthis documentis to communicate the aircraft certification strategy for 

### continued support ofthe special category light-sport aircraft (SLSA) segmentofaviation and the continued safe integration ofSLSA into Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operations. The document provides

### a direct line-of-sightfrom our SLSA goals and objectives to the Aviation Safety (AVS) andFAA vision, mission, and goals, and outlines tactical methods for achievingthese goals with safety as a firstpriority. The plan currently focuses on aircraftcertification issues and Continued Operational Safety (COS), butwill be expandedto encompass training andmaintenance and will be 

### coordinated with the Flight Standards Service (AFS).


### Mission and Vision Traceability
Itis importantfor the strategic vision for the SLSA industry to be aligned ·withthe Mission and Vision ofthe FAA, with a primaryfocus on aviation safety. The following sections contain information to tie the SLSA strategic vision tothe top-level goals identified in FAA's strategic vision- Destination The diagram onthefollowing page shows how the SLSA vision is driven by the FAA Mission, Vision, and Values.

Earl Lawrence,

2

### FAA Mission Our continuing mission is to provide the safest, most efficient aerospace system in the world.

FAAVision We strive to reach the next level ofsafety, efficiency, environmental responsibility and global leadership. We are accountable to the American public and ourstakeholders.

FAA Values



# . Safety is our passion

. Wework so all air and space travelers arrive safely at their

destinations.

Excellence is our promise. We seek results that embody professionalism; transparency (lnd accountability. Integrity is outtouchstone. W¢ perform our duties honestly, with moral soundness, and with the highest.levelofethics.



# . People are our strength. Oursuccess depends on the respect, diversity, collaboration,

and commitment ofourworkforce. Innovationis our signature. We foster creativity andvision to provide solutions beyond today's boundaries.

FAA Strategic Goals The follo'Ning strategic goals are communicated in the FAA Destination 2025 

### planning document, and outline the FAA's top level goals, which the SLSA industry must be consistent with.

Move to the Next Level ofSafety Workplace ofthe Future DeliverAviationAccessThrough. Innovation ··Sustain OurFuture.

Advance Global Collaboration (See Section ofthis planning document} 

# l
SlSAVision Focusing on industryaccountability and safety through appropriateregulations and policy, enable a successful, LQGXVWU\a 

### led, self·declarative compliance and audit system to the applicable UHaXODWLRQV 

### and industry-developed and maintained consensus standards forSLSA to yield afatal accidentrate equivalent to or-betterthan existing "personal" aviation without FAA type design certification or direct FAA production oversight

Figure l - SLSA Vision Traceability

## 2.1 Summary ofF AA Strategic Goals

2.1.1 Moveto the Next Level ofSafety: Safety is the FAA'stop priority. We 

### will transform the ·waywe assure safety by Jbstering a positive safety culture to enhance our standards and oversight. We "'iJltake action to eliminate, mitigate, and manage risk by identH)'ing and predicting risks based on continuous analysis ofdata.

OurWorkplace ofthe Future: We can only create the future we envision through the people of the FAA. Our continued success depends on creating a workplace ofchoice \vith integrity, fairness, diversity, and innovation as ourprofessional halhnarks. We will train and enable ourhigh performance workforce \vith the skills and abilities required to reach and sustain the NextGen levels ofsafety and efficiency.

2.1 DeliverAviation Access through Innovation: We must serve the needs ofthe traveling public and the aviation industry to provide unencumbered access to the aviation system, whether the destination is domestic orintemational. We will optimize aviation's value to the public by improving travel throughout theNAS, and beyond. This includes reducing costs and energy use, minimizing delays, preserving needed infrastructure, and increasing capacity to maximizethe economic effectiveness ofaviation.
2.1.4 Sustain Our Future: We will grov,aviation in an environmentally and energy responsible
manner. We will minimize noise and emission impacts on communities, reduce aviation's carbon footprint, invest in new technology, promote sustainable alternative fuels research, and support other innovations and sustainable approaches.

2.1.5 Advance Global Collaboration: \Ve will work with the International Civil Aviation Organization (lCAO) and other international partners to improve global aviation safety and environmental performance around the world. We 

### will harness NextGen to enhance seamless and efficient air navigation through interoperable standards, procedures, technologies, and global harmonizationofcertification and regulation.


### 2.2 Explaining the Targeted SLSA Vision for the Future

We are focused on industry accountability and safety\Vith a goal ofcreating a Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) system with an equivalent or lower fatal accident rate than other segments of personal aviation \<Vithout requiringFAAtype design cetiification or FAAproduction oversight.

2.2.1 Creating a regulatory and policy structure for industry to achieve FAA safety goals through VHOIaGHFODUHG compliancewith industry developed and maintained consensus standards,

2.2.2 Relying on an industry-led system ofself-audits and statements ofcompliance,

2.2.3 Creating a system f()r FAA oversight ofa manufacture's self-auditing and self-declarative systems, and

42.2.4 Committing FAA resources to actively participate in the development and acceptance of industry consensus standards.


### SLSA 

### Objectives

The Small Airplane Directorate (ACE) and the Production and Ainvorthiness Division (AIR200) have identified the following objectives to accomplish our vision for SLSA.



### Objective Focus Ob.iective Description Safety Provide a safer yet comparatively afTordable alternative to ownership of experimental amateur-built aircraft orultralight vehicles. (.S'upports 

### F:4A DesNnation 2025goal to "Move to rhe 

### 1VextLevel ofSafi!ty ''andAIR goal to Reduce GeneralAviationFatalAccidenls.) 

### Industry Enable a successful industry-led self-declarative system ofcompliance to 

### Accountability applicable regulations and industry consensus standardswith efficient use 

# l
ofFAAresources. (Supports FAA Destination 2025goal to ''Create Our Workplace £?{the Future") j 

### Industry Growth Create a clearpath for companies starting in experimental aircraft to potentially transition into producing ELSA, SLSA,. Light Sport, primary category, and ultimately 

### full part 23 designs and production certifkation, ifso desired. {Supports FAA Destination goa/to "DeliverAviation Access throughInnovation'')



### International Provide andsupport a model ofSLSA oversight that results in the 

### Leadership and international acceptance ofthe model and specifically the use ofone set 

### Harmonization ofinternational consensus standards for the design, manufacturing and quality, continued airworthiness, maintenance and operations, etc,, of aircraft intended for personal recreational flying and flight training. (.S'upports FAA Destination 2025goal to "Advance Global Collaboration'')



### Innovation Enable and facilitate innovation in recreational aviation, including the development ofsafety enhancing, energy enlcient and environmentally responsible products. (Supports FAA Destination goals to "Deliver AviationAccess through lnnovalion" and ''Suslain Our Fwure '') 

### Regulatory Future Provide an appropriate, competitive, and fair regulatory structure to allmv SLSAto maintain FAA safety goals, accommodate innovation, and continue international leadership and harmonization. (Supports FAA Destinatkm 2025goals to "DeliverAviationAccess through Innova!ion" and "Move to the 

### JVextLevel

### ofSalety



### 5

### 3.1 Implementation Strategy for Each SLSA Objective

Foreach SLSA objective listed above, an implementation strategy has been outlined below, and specific actions have been identif1ed. These actions have been harmonized with the SLSA manufacturerassessment report and the actions from that effort, whereverpossible.
Each strategic action

### is meant to assist the FA/\ 

### in achieving our longterm SLSA safety goals and industry accountability goals. Eachrequires cooperative action vvithin the FAA and with industry.

3.1.1 Safety -Provide a safer yet comparatively affordable alternative to ownership of experimental amateur-built aircraft orultralight vehicles.


### 3.l.l.l Participate in government/industry consensus standards developmentthrough ASTM 

### F37 Committee on Light-Sport Aircraft. 3.1.1.2 Establish, imp[ement, andmaintainregulations and policy for SLSA manufacturers and owners/operators. 

### 3.1.1.3 Establish and implement training for Aviation Safety Inspectors (ASI) and Designated Airworthiness Representatives (DAR) with light-spott functions. 

### 3.1.1.4 Ensure manufacturer compliance with FAA regulations and ASTM consensus standards. 3.1.1.5 Monitor and ensure industry addresses COS issues for SLSA. 3.1.1.6 Maintain a list ofactive SLSA manuf1tcturers so ASis and DARs can use the data and contacts for COS.


### 3.1.2 Industry Accountability Enable a successful industry-led self-declarative system of compliance to applicable regulations and industry consensus standards 

### vvith efficient usc 

### ofFAA
resources.


### 3.1.2.1 Identify needed services, current gaps, and future needs and provide suggestions to the ACMTregardingthe most efficient organizational structure to provide oversight and management ofresources. (Tie to FAA reorganization etl<xt) 3.1.2.2 Implementthe LSA strategic planwith documented expectation for FAA oversight of the LSA segment. 3.1.2.3 Ensure industry creates a new manufacturer education program to clarify FAA and ASTM expectations and communicate minimum requirements for a manufacturer's entry into SLSA. 3.1.2.4 Assist ASTM to develop compliance guides 

### vvith dear industry expectations tor design, manufacturing, quality, continued airworthiness, maintenance, operations, etc. 3.1.2.5 Implement a first mticle conformity program performed by FAA inspectors tor first time airworthiness approval ofnew SLSA models. 3.1.2.6 Apply the appropriate level ofF AA resources to implement a Safety Management System (SMS)-based manufacturing oversight program, w·ith increasing reliance on oversight 

### by manufhcturer's VHOIaDXGLWLQJ programs (i.e., intemal and external audits), as appropriate.



### 63.1.2.7 Drivethe level of.FAA oversight according to the industry's continued success to\vards meeting FAA expectations for the self-certification process to applicable regulatory and consensus standard requirements. 3.1.2.8 Create a plan for determining success criteria and an exit strategy for transition from FAA audits ofSLSA manufacturers to intcmal and industry-led third party audits.


### 3.1.3 Industry Growth Create a clear path tbr companies starting in experimental aircraftto potentially transition into producing ELSA, SLSA, Light Sport, primary category, and ultimately full part 23 designs and production cettitication, ifso desired.

3.1.3.1 Document and provide infonnation and training to existing manufacturers utilizing the Federal Register, FAA resources, and/or ASTM regarding the expected level of safety, FAA oversight, and manufacturer responsibilities for the different types of GA aircraft; from experimental, to SLSA, to aircraft vvith FAA design and production approval. 3

### .1.3.2 Work with new manufacturers to clarifytheir intended market and help them understand FAA expectations in documentingtheirdesign, conducting manufl\cturing efforls, and supporting continued airworthiness. 3

### .1.3 Consider connectivitybetween strategic SLSA objectives and other efforts to streamline general aviation aircraft certification and oversight. 3

### .1.3.4 Describe the path and howweplan to make industry aware ofthe differences between each level ofairworthiness, design, and production certification.


### 3.1.4 InternationalLeadership and Harmonization

- Provide and support a model ofSLSA oversight that results inthe international acceptance ofthe model and specifically the use ofone set ofinternational consensus standards for the design, manufacturing and quality, continued airworthiness, maintenance and operations, etc., ofaircraH intended for personal recreational flying and nighttraining.


### 3.1.4.1 Support international regulatory conferences and ASTM meetings. 

### 3.1.4.2 Conduct seminars on the details ofthe United States LSA industry tbr foreign authorities and mamdacturers at air shows, public forums, and upon request. 3.1.4.3 Consider and encourage harmonization ofSLSA approval processes, given the differences between international design and operational regulatory constraints and highlight the flexibility ofthe ASTM standards. 3.1.4.4 Apply FAA risk management tools, such asthe AVS SMS, to helpdetern1ine the level FAA ofinvolvement and oversight


### 3.1.5 Innovation a(QDEOH and facilitate innovation in recreational aviation, including the development ofsafety cnha11cing, energy efficient and environmentallyresponsible products.

3.1.5.1 Support development ofdesign standards Jhr emerging SLSA concepts, like electric aircraft and roadable SLSA. 3.1.5.2 Consider rulemaking to acknowledge the unique needs ofemerging SLSA designs, such as electricpowered orroadable SLSA.

73.1.5.3 Develop policyto suppmt emerging vehicle technologies, addressing the relationship between ASTM standards and other transportation authority requirements that may be applicable to these concepts. 3.1.5.4 Explainprocesses to industry that may allov,.' companies to introduce newand innovative technology or newdesigns in LSA, and how they may eventually pursue FAA design certification, ifdesired.


### 3.1.6 Regulatory Future- Provide an appropriate, competitive, and fair regulatory structure to allow SLSA to maintain Fiv'\ safety goals, accommodate innovation, and continue international leadership and harmonization.

3.1.6.1 Actively plan for the future ofthe SLSA segment to determine what boundaries we need to maintainregarding the type ofaircraft that will be included as future SLSA, including roadable, gyroplane, electric, etc. 3.1 .6.2 Review current OLJKWaVSRUW aircraft rules and identify any needed changes and/or additional rulemaking to allO\\e' SLSA to maintain FAA safety goals. 3.1.6.3 Continue to identify appropriate changes to regulations, policy, and consensus standards to allow continuous improvement ofthe industry-led light-sport program.