July 29, 2009 - Oshkosh, Wisconsin - Officials from EAA, FAA, and the light-sport aircraft (LSA) industry gathered Monday afternoon in the first official meeting of the new Light-Sport Joint Safety Committee (LS-JSC), a joint government-industry initiative aimed at improving the safety of light-sport aircraft and pilots, while preserving the freedoms and privileges of light sport.

This initiative was first proposed at the annual EAA/FAA Summit in February 2008. Its purpose, according to its draft charter, is to create a vehicle for the FAA and the light-sport community to cooperate, communicate, and coordinate efforts to identify and address light-sport safety issues.

Co-chaired by EAA and the FAA, the committee plans to include members from the Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association (AOPA), Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association (LAMA), the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI—an EAA affiliate), and the standards-setting body ASTM International; representatives from the European LSA community are also in the plans.

The LS-JSC plans to meet twice annually to review light-sport safety issues, and to propose actions and assign work teams to address those issues. Additionally, the body plans a “check-in” session at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh each year.

“The regulatory structure for light sport is a unique government-industry partnership,” said Kim Smith, manager of FAA’s Small Airplane Directorate. “We’re very excited about this joint initiative to get a handle on light-sport safety issues and solutions. I’m looking forward to everyone’s participation.”