Light-Sport Aircraft Yahoo group Best, Safest LSA Aircraft for Mountain and Cross Country Flying

With the recent FAA changes allowing a maximum altitude of 2,000' AGL, now you can finally use LSA aircraft for true cross country / cross USA / cross mountain flying. However, for safety and comfort, to avoid potentially severe and dangerous mountain generated turbulence, it is best to fly at least 1,500' above mountain peaks and ridges. On a warm summer day, the density altitude could be many thousands of feet higher than the actual altitude . . . one could land at an airport such as the airport in Leadville, CO . . . http://www.lxvairport.com . . . and not be able to take off again, if the density altitude is near your aircraft's maximum service ceiling.

What are the best and safest LSA aircraft for true cross country, cross mountain flying, and that have a high service ceiling? LSA aircraft that I have looked at, typically at best, have a maximum service ceiling of 15,000'. The Sonex homebuilt, experimental aircraft model that uses the Jabiru 6-cylinder, 120HP engine, lists the potential service ceiling as being 23,000'. The Sonex is an amazing aircraft, but I don't think that the designers intended its primary mission to be a true, hard-core, cross country machine, for two people. The Sonex is like a small sports car, very tight accommodations, and very little space for baggage / storage. Further, not everyone has the time, space, ability, or desire to build their own aircraft.

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