AGAZINE - Midwest Flyer

SPORT PILOT – LIGHT SPORT AIRCRAFT
John Craparo
John Craparo’s restored 1930 Model A closed cab pickup truck sits in
his hangar just a few feet away from his 1946 Ercoupe 415C.
The Light Sport Repairman: A Story of Alchemy & The Peanut
Since the advent of the Light
by John S. Craparo
Sport rules in 2004, many have
EAA Life Member
benefited from its versatility.
Sadly, others believe it is limited by
a lack of commercial opportunity, but
to quote George Washington Carver,
“Fall in love with the peanut and soon
it will reveal all of its secrets to you.”
Many have built businesses
around manufacturing and selling
LSA aircraft, kits, engines and
accessories; others have profited
from publishing books and software
about the rules and how to obtain the
airman’s certificate. There are those
who have found opportunities as flight
instructors. These are all ways to turn Brian and Carol Carpenter take a short break
from their mutual teaching duties.
a seemingly non-commercial set of
rules into profits.
(E-LSA). As an LSRM, the holder
This peanut has revealed much of the certificate can maintain their
to me in the form of the Light Sport aircraft and also perform such work
Repairman with a Maintenance rating for hire. The LSRM rules do not allow
for Airplanes (LSRM-A). With 120 the holder to maintain or inspect
hours of training, a qualified person Standard Category LSA-qualified
can perform maintenance and annual aircraft like the Ercoupe 415C,
condition inspections on Special Luscombe 8A or Piper J3 Cub. There
Light Sport Aircraft (S-LSA) and is a 16-hour course that allows the
Experimental Light Sport Aircraft holder of that privilege to perform
52 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2010 MIDWEST FLYER MAGAZINE
One team works to get an accurate revised weight and balance on
a Kitfox as they lift a wing so a scale can be placed under the main
landing gear.
John Craparo
condition inspections on their E-LSA;
this is the Light Sport Repairman
with an Inspection rating (LSRI). It
does not qualify the holder to work
as a repairman for hire or work on an
S-LSA.
While attending EAA AirVenture
a few years ago, I stopped at the
Rainbow Aviation Services booth.
I had recently read Carol and Brian
Carpenter’s book, “Sport Pilot
Airplane: A Complete Guide.” Their
firm was offering the first FAAapproved
LSRM-A training program.
Unfortunately, my work schedule
would not allow me to attend the 120-
hour course over three consecutive
weeks. The Carpenters took my
information and I grabbed a brochure.
That spellbinding pamphlet shifted
back and forth across my desk for
months. Two years after our brief
discussion, Carol telephoned. “Hi
John…still interested in the 120-hour
repairman course? I just received
word from the FAA that we can offer it
over three non-consecutive weeks?” I
was impressed with the follow-up. My
Jasen Golden