Where the Help Is: ASC, EAA & USUA

By ANN Correspondent John Ballantyne

One thing for sure: FAA certainly has done one thing by issuing sport pilot and light sport aircraft. They certainly have spawned a billion questions and complicated technical situations. The FAA answers, of course, are in the Code of Federal Regulations, but just try that for bedtime reading. In fact many individuals find that CFR reading becomes a bedtime event anytime of night or day. Insomniacs, take heart!

So, ANN has compiled interviews with the major support groups who lead the effort to provide you with accurate, understandable guidance. Each group also provides supporting documentation, forms and applications as appropriate. You may sip information from them or you can jump into the information pipe for a potent deluge.

Each of the following interviews is exclusive to ANN and solely for the purpose of offering you help in deciding how and where to get help. The group representatives are sometimes paraphrased to keep the interviews approximately the same length, and each is listed in alphabetical order.

• Aero Sports Connection
  Jim Stephenson President and CEO

"Yes, ASC does support sport pilot," reports Stephenson. ASC recently conducted classes to support ultralight pilot transition to sport pilot and it was really successful because at least five of those guys passed the written test since then. "One of the things we learned was the need for practical test preparation-how to get prepared for the flight check. It is that kind of thing ASC is offering in support of sport pilot to members. Plus, ASC even offers the information to non-members who visit our website."

ASC believes this transition time is cloudy because sport pilot is a new rule and FAA is slow to establish pilot examiners and aircraft standards. So how do we get through it? Well, information flow is a large part of the process. ASC is positioned to proved that information and support in the future as we are doing now.

"I see mostly ultralight instructor interest in sport pilot," said Stephenson. ASC has more ultralight instructors than any other association. How do instructors find examiners and support to transition into sport pilot and sport pilot instructor? ASC is providing that information. "For sure, sport pilot is taking longer than anticipated. Perhaps there will need to be some extensions to the FAA implementation deadlines--I don't know. So everyone can use our web site for updated information. We are continually updating it and adapting to the things that happen in the system. We support sport pilots and ultralights as well. A lot of guys are going to simply fly true ultralights. ASC supports both."

FMI: www.aerosports.org

• Experimental Aircraft Association
  Charlie Becker, Executive Director Aviation Information Services

Becker said that "absolutely EAA supports sport pilot with many member services."

"In fact, just for coming here to Sun 'n Fun EAA put together this package of the items needed to convert ultralight trainers over to experimental light sport aircraft, said Becker as he put a brochure on the table. The conversion package includes a 60 page booklet, set of required labels, two-inch Experimental placard, data plate and examples of how to do it," he said. "Also, based on experience from last year at this event, we know there is a lot of interest from the existing general aviation pilots so we put together a new brochure of how sport pilot relates to them. EAA has supportive information for the other two main groups as well: brand new sport pilot applicants, and converting ultralight pilots and instructors."

EAA is extremely excited about the sport pilot rule change. "We see this as the future of aviation and that it will dramatically impact new pilot starts and the aircraft production side. EAA sees nothing but blue skies ahead. In ten years, when we look back on this rule, I think it will not be the pilot certification that changes things so much as will the aircraft certification and production process through the ASTM standards procedures," Becker noted.

Becker reported that the majority of those asking question at the EAA exhibit booth are those existing general aviation pilots who are getting up there in age and looking to scale back a little to two-seat light sport aircraft which do not require an FAA medical certificate to operate.

"One common misconception that we are hearing at this exhibit and on the EAA telephone support lines," said Becker, "is that there is some limitation on the distance a sport pilot can travel which is unlimited in the US. The other big question EAA wants to answer is that a private pilot does not need to turn in his certificate to operate as a sport pilot. What he needs if he is ramp-checked is to be in a light sport aircraft, show his private certificate and a valid driver license and to inform the inspector that he is exercising sport pilot privileges."

FMI: www.eaa.org

• United States Ultralight Association
  Dale Hooper

USUA has a complete range of information services to member, and the public, about sport at the student, pilot and instructor levels. Just come and see us and we can help you out.

"USUA recognized that aviation overall will be seriously affected by sport pilot," said Hooper. "It is a benefit those who really do want those bigger airplanes and two-seaters. It has already affected manufactures and pilots in various ways. USUA has seen many becoming re-interested in ultralights as a result of sport pilot."

USUA observes that two groups have different reactions to sport pilot. "For example, in yesterday's conference of light sport aircraft manufacturers here at Sun 'n Fun, the general aviation pilots in the audience were just delighted that the highlighted airplanes are available along with the prospect of many more to come."

"Then we come back to the ultralight area at Sun 'n Fun, and you get pretty much the same deal. Many of them have general aviation backgrounds and see more opportunities through sport pilot. However, ultralight pilots are a little more reluctant and rightly so. We have many USUA members who fly both ways, so we offer support for whatever direction any particular member chooses. Just let us help."

FMI: www.usua.org