Sport Pilot Summary

FAA: Sport Pilot and Light-Sport Aircraft Rule

Creates a new segment of the GA industry ?

Light Sport Aircraft are:

1. aircraft that are too large to be considered an ultralight,

2. aircraft that do not meet the "51%" requirement of amateur homebuilt, or

3. simple, low-performance, low-energy, aircraft limited to two occupant seats.

4. Light Sport aircraft are simple, low-performance, low-energy aircraft

? 1,232 lbs. maximum certificated gross weight

? two-occupant seating

? a single engine (non-turbine)

? a stall speed of 39 knots with lift enhancing devices.

? maximum airspeed of 115 knots

? fixed landing gear: including certificated Piper J-2 or J-3, Aeronca Champ or Chief, early model Taylorcraft.

? Will not include aircraft such as a Cessna 120, 140 or 150/152, Piper PA-18, American Champion 7 or 8 series.

? Light Sport aircraft airworthiness- ready-to-fly manufacturing

? only requires a manufacturer's statement of FAR Part 21 airworthiness compliance for a manufactured, ready-to-fly Light Sport aircraft

? Light Sport aircraft that are not "ready-to-fly, manufactured" must have at least an Experimental, Light Sport aircraft airworthiness certificate issued by an FAA-designee.

Light Sport pilots:

? a valid pilot certificate will be able to fly Light Sport Aircraft.

? also two new category and class ratings-

? Weight-shift-control, land and sea

? Powered Parachute

? Medical Certificate Requirements-

? Any pilot who flies a Light Sport Aircraft may use a driver's license in lieu of an FAA-issued medical certificate

? Sport Pilot license training- may be obtained with 20 hours flight time:

? 15 hours flight training from an authorized instructor to include

? 5 hours solo flight, 2 hours cross country,

? 10 takeoffs and landings to a full-stop,

? one solo cross country flight of at least 75 nautical miles with one segment a straight line distance of at least 25 nautical miles,

? FAA Knowledge test on applicable aeronautical knowledge.

? FAA Practical Test for the applicable Light Sport aircraft .

? Sport Pilot certificates will be issued without category/class

? Category/class ratings will be listed in the Sport Pilots logbook

? Operation Limitations- Any pilot operating a Light Sport aircraft or Experimental Light Sport aircraft certificate of airworthiness may not operate:

? At night

? In Class A airspace

? Students or Sport Pilot certificate, in Class B,C, or D airspace unless received ground and flight training and a logbook endorsement.

? Passenger-carrying airlift sponsored by a charitable organization

? At an altitude of more than 10,000 feet MSL or 2,000 feet AGL, whichever is higher

? When the flight or surface visibility is less than 3 statute miles

? Without visual reference to the surface

? Student or Sport Pilot certificate, in excess of a VH of 87 knots CAS, unless you have received ground and flight training and a logbook endorsement.

? Contrary to any operating limitation placed on the airworthiness certificate of the aircraft being flown

? Contrary to any limitation on your pilot certificate, airman medical certificate, U.S. driver's license, or logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor

? While towing any object; or

? While carrying a passenger or property for compensation or hire.

? Flight Instructor Requirements-

? Pilots already holding a Flight Instructor certificate may provide flight instruction for Light Sport aircraft certificate of airworthiness.

? Pilots to become a Light Sport aircraft Instructor would have to:

? Meet certain eligibility requirements related to language and age (at least 18 years old)

? Have a Sport Pilot certificate or a private pilot certificate

? Receive and log ground training in the fundamentals of instruction

? Receive and log ground and flight training in specific aeronautical areas

? Meet aeronautical experience requirements, and

? Pass a knowledge test and a practical test.

The FAA would issue a flight instructor certificate with a Sport Pilot rating and the logbook would be endorsed authorizing privileges to provide training in that specific category, class, and make and model of aircraft.

? Light Sport aircraft rental and training use- Owner/Operator may apply for a special airworthiness certificate in the Light Sport aircraft category provided:

? The aircraft is manufactured, ready-to-fly

? There are established maintenance and inspection procedures

? There is a flight training manual

? There is Pilot Operating Handbook

? The aircraft is registered and inspected by the FAA

? Light Sport aircraft Repairman certificate- For owners of Light Sport aircraft who are not an A&P or IA repairmen, the FAA to establish a Light-Sport aircraft Repairman certificate that would allow owners to perform maintenance or required inspections.

? For inspection privileges: Must complete a 16-hour training course on the particular make and model of Light Sport aircraft

? For maintenance privileges: Must complete an 80-hour training course on the maintenance requirements of the particular category of Light Sport aircraft.

Overall, the Sports Pilot proposal is seen as a GOOD THING in the USA, as it will offer an alternative to a two-place or 'heavy' ultralight either being flown illegally under FAR 103 or the owner having to operate under the Experimental rules (which means the aircraft must be a minimum of 51% home completed) and being required to have a minimum of a recreational pilots license (with Class 3 medical). All that remains to be seen is how long it will take for the proposals to turn into regulations.