The Gyrobee obviously meets the new Sport Pilot (SP) definition for Light Sport Aircraft (LSA). As such, if you choose to do so, you should be able to:
 

• Transfer an existing Bee from Part 103 to the new Experimental LSA (ELSA) category.

• Build a new Bee (from plans or kit) and register it in the ELSA category.

A quick read of the new SP rules indicates that the FAA will want to see the "manufacturers" assembly instructions in the case of kit projects. The Gyrobee Documentation package will meet this requirement.

Why bother with SP/LSA? Well, there are a couple of reasons you might want to consider the extra hassle in comparison to staying within Part 103:

• Having a "real" N-number will certainly help if you are having problems with airport access.

• Ditto the above because you will also have a "real" FAA-granted pilot certificate.

• Both of the above may actually make it possible to get liability and maybe even hull insurance.

• You don't have to get paranoid about every last ounce of weight, so prerotators and brakes become more viable. It is important however not to use LSA as an excuse to load up the airframe. The performance and stability of the Bee are based on a relatively light airframe and low disc loading. If you get carried away adding "stuff", you will end up with the typical over-weight/under-powered gyro that gave ultralights a bad name!

Is it worth the additional regulatory burden to go with SP/LSA instead of Part 103? I honestly don't know. I do know that it is good to have multiple options and Sport Pilot appears to be a good one! As we gain experience with the new rule, I will be adding links to assist those who want to avail themselves of the option to fly their Gyrobee as Sport Pilots.