Pilot Questions:

Aircraft Questions:

Miscellaneous Questions:

What Are The Sport Pilot Privileges And Limitations?

Basic Sport Pilot Privileges include:

• You can only fly when visibility is 3 miles or greater
• You can carry a passenger
• You can fly in class E and G airspace
• You can fly aircraft that meet the definition of light-sport aircraft (LSA)

Some limitations include:

• You cannot fly for compensation or hire
• You can fly up to 10,000 ft MSL, or 2,000 ft AGL, whichever is higher
• You can not fly at night
• You cannot tow any object

With additional endorsements, Sport Pilots can get privileges to:

• Operate in class B, C and D airspace
• Fly aircraft in different "sets of aircraft"
• Fly aircraft in different category and classes
• Fly aircraft with a Vh greater than 87 kts

How Do I Become A Sport Pilot?

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.

If you were registered as an ultralight pilot with USUA, you can use that time toward the Sport Pilot certificate, in accordance with 61.52

Additional privileges (airspace, sets of aircraft, etc) are obtained as additional logbook endorsements.

How Do I Become A Sport Pilot CFI?

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.

If you were registered as an ultralight pilot with USUA, you can use that time toward the certificate, in accordance with 61.52

Who Can Train Me?

Sport Pilot applicants, can receive training from any Certified Flight Instructor (CFI). In addition, previous training you received from an ultralight Basic Flight Instructor (BFI) can be used toward this rating, in accordance with 61.329 and 61.52.

What About The Medical?

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 3^rd 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.

• You have the option to use a 3^rd class medical OR a drivers license
• If you use the Driver's License option you must comply with the limitations of your Driver's License (eyeglasses etc.)
• If you lose your license to drive for any reason (parking tickets etc.) you have lost your license to fly.
• Your most recently issued medical cannot have been denied, suspended or revoked. If it was, you can not exercise Sport Pilot privileges with a drivers license.
• Your most recent medical application cannot have been denied. If it was, you can not exercise Sport Pilot privileges with a drivers license.
• If your last medical expired, you can use your drivers license to exercise Sport Pilot privileges.

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.

What Is A Light Sport Aircraft?

A light sport aircraft, is any certificated aircraft (such as Experimental, Special-Light Sport, Primary and Standard), that meet the following definition:

• A maximum takeoff weight of not more than
• 660 pounds (300 kilograms) for lighter-than-air aircraft;
• 1,320 pounds (600 kilograms) for aircraft not intended for operation on water; or
• 1,430 pounds (650 kilograms) for an aircraft intended for operation on water.
• A maximum airspeed in level flight with maximum continuous power (VH) of not more than 120 knots CAS under standard atmospheric conditions at sea level.
• A maximum never-exceed speed (VNE) of not more than 120 knots CAS for a glider.
• A maximum stalling speed or minimum steady flight speed without the use of lift-enhancing devices (VS1) of not more than 45 knots CAS at the aircraft's maximum certificated takeoff weight and most critical center of gravity.
• A maximum seating capacity of no more than two persons, including the pilot.
• A single, reciprocating engine, if powered.
• A fixed or ground-adjustable propeller if a powered aircraft other than a powered glider.
• A fixed or autofeathering propeller system if a powered glider.
• A fixed-pitch, semi-rigid, teetering, two-blade rotor system, if a gyroplane.
• A nonpressurized cabin, if equipped with a cabin.
• Fixed landing gear, except for an aircraft intended for operation on water or a glider.
• Fixed or repositionable landing gear, or a hull, for an aircraft intended for operation on water.
• Fixed or retractable landing gear for a glider.

How Can I Transition My "Fat Ultralights" Or Trainer?

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.

What About The Factory Built LSA?

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:

• Register the aircraft; get N-number from FAA (after October 1, 2004)
• A condition inspection will be completed and a DAR will issue the SPECIAL LIGHT SPORT AIRWORTHINESS CERTIFICATE
• FAA will establish the operating limitations for these aircraft
• Manufacturers safety recommendations will be REQUIRED (Periodically, manufacturers will release bulletins detailing modifications and procedures that are recommended for safety concerns. These recommendations are required to be performed on this type of LSA.)
• Aircraft registrations for LSA will be accepted October 2004
• Annual condition inspections will be required of your aircraft.

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.

What About The New LSA Kits?

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:

• Kits are not eligible for compensation or hire or rental operations
• Possibly no flight over congested areas (this depends on modifications performed to the specific aircraft)
• Manufacturers safety recommendations will be recommended, not required
• Annual condition inspections will be required.
• Aircraft registrations for LSA will be accepted October 2004
• Annual condition inspections will be required.

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.

I Want To Buy An Imported Aircraft. Can It Be Eligible For LSA?

Yes. However, the same core requirements apply:

• Manufacturers will issue a STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE FOR AIRCRAFT OR KIT (manufactured in accordance with the industry consensus standard)
• The country of manufacture must have an agreement with the US to assure that there is at least a dialog between the US and that country
• The aircraft must be eligible in that country for flight authority (if that country doesn't want the aircraft flying there, FAA doesn't want it flying here).

Do I Have To Put The N-Number On The Airplane?

(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.

Who Can Do The Inspections And Maintenance On My LSA?

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).

Important Dates To Remember

Some important dates to remember are:

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