As I understand it, our FAA's original NPRM in 2002 called for a LSA maximum takeoff weight of 1,232 pounds (560 kilograms) for landplanes.
I believe most of the rest of the world has already adopted a standard of 1540 lb (700 kg) but I'm having difficulty confirming this, so I'm probably wrong!
The FAA eventually set a compromise 1320 lb (600 kg) as the max takeoff weight for LSA landplanes. The published FAA position I think was supposedly to stimulate new technology and production in the new LSA industry, without favoring existing airframe manufacturers by grandfathering in a preponderance of existing designs, such as early Cessna 150's with a 1,500 lb max gross weight.
I may be all wet in all of this!
