| ...September 6, 2004 SPORT PILOT RULE IN EFFECT
It's finally happened! The long-awaited Sport Pilot/Light Sport Aircraft regulation took effect last Wednesday, September Ist. There has been much interest, curiosity, and misunderstanding about what this new Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rule means to both currently-certificated pilots as well as those wanting to take to the air but not previously trained or licensed. Over the next few weeks this space will be devoted to explaining the rule and its many nuances.. .as always, your input will be most welcome. Concisely put, the Sport Pilot rule creates a new "sport pilot" certificate for operating any aircraft meeting the definition of a light sport-aircraft (LSA). An LSA has a maximum gross weight of no more than 1,320 pounds, a maximum level-flight speed of 120 knots (138 mph) with a stall speed of no more than 45 knots (52 mph). It may only have two seats, one engine, fixed (as opposed to retractable) landing gear and can only be flown during the daytime under visual flight conditions (VFR). Aircraft in this new category will have an FAA registration ("N") number. The new aircraft category and class includes: airplane (land/sea), gyroplane, airship, balloon, weight-shift-control (trike land/sea), and powered parachute. Aircraft with a standard airworthiness certificate that meet the above specifications may be flown by sport pilots. However, that airworthiness certification category will not be changed to a light-sport aircraft. Holders of a sport pilot certificate may fly an aircraft with a standard airworthiness certificate if it meets the definition of a light-sport aircraft. The new rule requires FAA knowledge and practical (flight) tests, and credits ultralight training and experience toward a sport pilot certificate. It also credits sport pilot flight time toward advanced pilot ratings. One of the most notable conditions is that it requires an FAA third-class medical certificate OR a current and valid U.S. driver's license (provided the individual doesn't have an official medical denial or revocation on file with the FAA). The driver's license issue is a big one and bears watching to see how difficulties will be handled. The requirements for the sport pilot certificate are that you must be at least 17 years old, hold a current FAA third-class medical certificate or state driver's license, successfully pass FAA sport pilot knowledge and practical (flight) tests. The minimum required training time for the different light sport aircraft categories are: airplane-20 hours, powered parachute-12 hours, weight-shift-controlled-20 hours, glider-10 hours, gyroplane-20 hours, airship-20 hours, and balloon-7 hours. The impetus behind this new license category is to get more people flying in an industry that has suffered severe setbacks over the past 20 or so years. For more information a good source is the EAA Aviation Center. Contact them at www.sportpilot.org or (920) 426-4800. |