USUA Petitions FAA To Extend Sport Pilot Deadlines: Acting from a request from it's members, and with the encouragement of the FAA Sport Pilot Branch (AFS-610), USUA is taking the lead in an action that will allow additional time for ultralight pilots and their vehicles, to transition into Sport Pilot. And, since the existing ultralight training programs have been extremely successful in training safe pilots throughout the years, USUA is also recommending that the exemptions allowing two place ultralights for training purposes, be extended as well. These extensions to the timelines set forth in the Sport Pilot rule, should allow for an increasing number of participants in the new FAA program- and the continuation (albeit a temporary continuation) of a proven safe method for training pilots of these type of aircraft.

This action by USUA is in response to the slow-moving Sport Pilot implementation and transitioning process. Compounding the situation is the anticipated limited availability of certificated Special Light Sport Aircraft available for purchase over the next few years.

USUA realizes that not all members are planning on participating in the Sport Pilot program- opting instead, to return to the well loved single seat Part 103 ultralight. It is important to realize however, that many members enjoy flying fat or two seat ultralights. This proposed petition would benefit both.

After the drafting of the petition is complete, USUA extends the opportunity to all other organizations operating FAA recognized ultralight training programs to sign on, and take advantage of the benefits it may provide for their members. When submitted to FAA, the final petition will be printed in the pages of UltraFlight Magazine, and on the USUA website.

Ultralight Student Included in Sport Pilot Benefits

As you know, certain privileges for transitioning ultralight pilots registered with an FAA recognized registration program expired September 1, 2004. USUA has suggested to FAA (and received approval), to allow all persons registered as an ultralight Student prior to September 1, 2004, and who have completed the required training, and pilot registration before the cut off date for transitioning pilots- to be allowed those same privileges. This means that Ultralight Students registered as such before September 1, 2004 have until January 31, 2007 to register as an Ultralight Pilot to take advantage of FAA’s transitioning benefits.

With your UL Pilot registration USUA will be able to provide you with the same documentation allowing you to take the FAA Sport Pilot Knowledge and Practical tests, without having to follow through with the additional requirements for pilots without this registration. The requirements for transitioning pilots are as follows:

• If you were registered as an ultralight pilot on or before September 1, 2004, or if you were registered as an ultralight student pilot before September 1, 2004, and later obtained your ultralight pilot rating before January 31, 2007, then you can receive credit for all aeronautical knowledge and flight proficiency requirements of Sport Pilot.

• If you were registered as an ultralight student, then pilot after after September 1, 2004, and before January 31, 2007, you will be required to meet the aeronautical and flight proficiency requirements of Sport Pilot, but with appropriate endorsements, much of your ultralight training time can count toward this requirement.

Note: You must hold at least a UL Pilot rating before asking for a certified copy of your airman registration from USUA. If you only hold a student pilot registration, you are not eligible, until you obtain your pilot rating!

Request a certified copy of your airman registration here.