Ranchers in the American West have been saying for
years that when it comes to shooting coyotes that threaten their livestock,
powered parachutes are the way to go. But the FAA disagreed, saying ultralight
aircraft are for sport and recreation only. Now with the advent of the Light
Sport Aircraft rules, that obstacle is gone. "Ranchers can take eight
hours of instruction, pay a small certification fee and then just take a felt
pen to write your 'N' number on the side of your craft and bingo, you're
legal," ranch lobbyist Stanley Boyd told The Associated Press. According to the AP, the FAA has
OK'd the use of LSAs for aerial hunting. The FAA is now allowing the state of
Idaho to issue permits to ranchers for aerial shooting of predators to protect
livestock if their vehicle qualifies as an LSA, the AP said.