Pilot Questions:
Aircraft Questions:
Miscellaneous Questions:
Basic Sport Pilot Privileges include:
Some limitations include:
With additional endorsements, Sport Pilots can get privileges to:
Sport pilot applicants must meet the eligibility requirements of 61.305. Applicants must receive training from an authorized instructor, and meet the requirements of 61.309, 61.311 and 61.313.
Applicants must pass a knowledge test, and a practical exam, in accordance with 61.307.
Additional privileges (airspace, speed) are obtained as additional logbook endorsements.
Sport pilot CFI applicants must meet the eligibility requirements of 61.403. In addition, applicants must receive training from an authorized instructor, and meet the requirements of 61.407, 61.409 and 61.411.
Applicants are required to pass the knowledge tests, and practical exam, in accordance with 61.405.
Sport Pilot applicants can receive training from any Certified Flight Instructor (CFI).
The Drivers License medical is the most talked about issue in Sport Pilot. In all other FAA airmen programs (Rec Pilot, Private Pilot, etc.), there is a provision that requires applicants to pass and possess a valid 3rd class medical or higher. This certifies FAA that the pilot's physical condition is such that there should be no medical factors that will affect his/her ability to safely pilot an aircraft. Sport Pilot has brought about the possibility of using a current and valid US Driver's License to satisfy the medical requirements. Originally presented as a way in which pilot's who have lost their medical will again be allowed to fly, the final rule took an unsuspected turn.
If you think that you might be affected by these provisions, or to just check your medical records with FAA, go to your Regional Medical Office of the Aerospace Medical Certification Division. At this site, you will find regional office contact information. Contact the appropriate office, and they will be able to assist you. In order for FAA to provide you with this information, you will need to properly identify yourself (name, date of birth, social security number, etc.) for this service.
In any event, everyone, before acting as PIC (Pilot In Command) of an aircraft, must determine if they are physically fit before flying. You must act responsibly.
A light sport aircraft, is any certificated aircraft (such as Experimental, Special-Light Sport, Primary and Standard), that meet the following definition:
These aircraft will be registered as Experimental Light Sport Aircraft. You have only until JANUARY 31, 2008 to transition the airplane into the Experimental Light Sport Aircraft category. If you did apply for registration on or before January 31, 2008, but did not complete the airworthiness inspection process by that date, you can make use of an exemption issued to USUA. This exemption will give you until January 31, 2010 to have your airworthiness inspection completed. Contact USUA for more information.
An operating limit is available, allowing these aircraft to be used for hire, for flight instruction, until 1/31/2010.
These aircraft will be registered as Special Light Sport Aircraft. Industry has been meeting for the past few years to establish definitions and consensus standards for LSA. The aircraft that meet these definitions of Light Sport Aircraft will be available as ready-to-fly aircraft that meet the manufacturers' consensus standards. Each aircraft built under these standards will have a manufacturer issued STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE FOR THE AIRCRAFT (manufactured in accordance with the industry consensus standard). To register your factory built LSA you will need to:
YOU CAN fly over congested areas because FAA now knows how the aircraft is designed, produced, flight tested and maintained. Annual condition inspections will be required.
Kit builders will be able to take advantage of the LSA rule as well. A manufacturer will issue a STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE FOR THE KIT (manufactured in accordance with the industry consensus standard)
"IF THE MANUFACTURER HAS THE AUTHORITY TO MANUFACTURE AN AIRCRAFT TO BE ISSUED A SPECIAL LIGHT SPORT AIRWORTHINESS CERTIFICATE, AND HAS DONE THAT AT LEAST ONCE, THEN THAT MANUFACTURER HAS THE AUTHORITY TO BUILD KIT AIRCRAFT TOO."
Some privileges and limitations regarding LSA kits are:
Original designs and "built from plans" aircraft that meet the LSA definition, can be registered as Experimental Homebuilt, and are subject to the 51% rule. A Sport Pilot, as long as they meet the LSA definition, can fly these aircraft.
Yes. However, the same core requirements apply:
(Yes, this was a real question) N-Numbers will be required to be displayed on all LSA including powered parachutes and trikes. Displayed N-Numbers will be at least 3 inches high and positioned on a structural member. On some aircraft, there is no structural member that will accommodate this size marking, so a 3-inch plate will need to be permanently affixed to allow for this. In addition to the N-Number, appropriate placarding is required. Experimental LSA will have the word EXPERIMENTAL on the side of the aircraft, and special LSA (newly built) will have the words LIGHT SPORT on the side.
Annual condition Inspections on aircraft in the E-LSA category, can be performed by the holder of a Repairman certificate with an Inspection rating for that aircraft. Annual condition inspections on S-LSA aircraft, and 100 hour inspections (when applicable) on both E-LSA and E-LSA aircraft can be performed by the holder of a Repairman certificate with a Maintenance rating. Of course, A&P mechanics can also perform these required inspections.
Maintenance is another issue. You may maintain your own Experimenal aircraft, but you may not charge for your services. In order to perform maintenance on some else's aircraft for a fee, you will need to hold the Repairman certificate with a Maintenance Rating.
A Repairman with Inspection or Maintenance rating, can be obtained by attending one of the FAA-approved courses, being offered. The Rapairman with Inspection rating, is a 16 hour course. The Repairman with Maintenance rating, is a longer course, taking between 104 and 120 hours to complete (depending on which category and class you want the rating for).
Some important dates to remember are:
January 31, 2007:
January 31, 2008:
January 31, 2010: Operating Limit, allowing E-LSA planes to be used for hire, expires.
January 31, 2012: Pilot and CFI applicants can no longer use former ultralight time toward their sport pilot or sport pilot CFI certificates.