Hello, I am looking for statistics about the size of the sport
aircraft market in the US (for which you need a Sport Pilot/ Light
Sport Aircraft license from the FAA).

I would like to know (1) the total number of aircraft in use/operation
in the US and (2) unit and $value annual aircraft sales in this market
segment (with a breakdown by manufacturer if possible) .

As I understand the market, the new Sport Pilot license from the FAA
allows a pilot to be licensed who has a valid drivers license & 20
hours of pilot instruction.  The Sport Pilot License enables a pilot
to fly small, light 2 seater planes with restrictive flight rules (no
flying at night, in bad weather, in/out of busy airports/airspace,
etc.).  The market for planes that can be flown with this new license
has traditionally been a "kit assembly" market, where airplane kits
were sold (requiring >50% assembly) rather than fully assembled
"traditional aircraft."  I believe this was driven by the liability
issues surrounding selling small planes to "enthusiast" pilots.  I
understand that there is now a market in selling fully assembled
planes in this market.

I would like to understand how big the market is, and, if possible, a
breakdown of the annual & cumulative aircraft sales market for this
segment by manufacturer.  I am not interested in any general aviation
planes with more than 4 seats.  Thanks in advance.

Indieband --

To speak of a size of the Sport Aircraft market is difficult because
of the newness of the category.  Only last week the FAA issued its
first certification for a sport aircraft -- so we still don't have any
sold yet.  A good resource for up-to-date information on the status of
the market -- including some good stories on likely demand among the
new class of pilots -- see www.avweb.com and do a search for "sport
aircraft".

Best regards,

Omnivorous-GA

I would talk to someone at the Experimental Aircraft Association
(www.eaa.org) or the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Assn (www.aopa.org).
They would likely have a good idea about the size of the market based
on total number of registered pilots, potential student pilots, etc.

I agree with gopman.ga. Ask EAA. They actually have a site specific to
Sport Aircraft. http://www.sportpilot.org/ The FAA has a site for
Sport Aircraft too. http://www.faa.gov/avr/afs/sportpilot/ and there
is a Light Aircraft Manufactures Assoc http://www.lama.bz/

Hope that this helps.

usav8or.ga

www.hammerheadpilotgear.com

Indieband - what are you doing with the info?  Helps me to help you
better.  Also, the segment is really called "Light Sport Aircraft" as
I have seen.  There are many small players and this new market has not
shaken out yet: http://www.planet02.info