The Very First "Sport Pilots" May Fly Today

By ANN Correspondent John Ballantyne

So far no individual has been allowed to actually fly under Sport Pilot rules... until this very day, September 1, 2004. This is the big day that the FAA has been looking forward to during the many years of development that they have invested in the new Sport Pilot certificate program and airworthiness programs for Light Sport Aircraft.

Yet, exactly who may fly right now, and what they may fly is a little limited.

Who may fly?

Any FAA certificated Private pilot, or better, may operate under Sport Pilot privileges (with no tests or endorsements) so long as they have had a flight review within the prescribed time (per FAR 61.23); have not had a medical certificate refused or revoked; possess a current driver's license; and "Not know or have reason to know of any medical condition that would make that person unable to operate a light-sport aircraft in a safe manner." This also means that you must comply with each restriction and limitation imposed by the driver's license, and any judicial or administrative order, for the operation of a motor vehicle (such as corrective lenses). If your driver's license gets yanked, so goes your Sport Pilot privileges.

If you hold a recreational pilot certificate, you will want to check the cross-country requirements per 61.101 (c) (http://www.faa.gov/avr/afs/sportpilot/faq.doc).

FAA Certificate holders may fly any category and class already on their FAA certificate. This means if you have Airplane Single Engine Land, then you may operate any ASEL that meets the definition of Light Sport Aircraft. See the requirements of 61.303 "V.5.A.iv. Make And Model Logbook Endorsements, and Sets of Aircraft." at the link listed at the end.

Q: What Aircraft May Sport Pilots fly?

Answer: Only FAA certificated aircraft that meet the definition of a light-sport aircraft may be flown by Sport Pilots on this red-letter day. The aircraft's gross weight must be at, or less, than 1,320 pounds on wheels (or skis) and 1,430 pounds for aircraft operated on the water. More... it must have a stall speed not greater than 45 knots, a max speed (in cruise configuration) of 120 knots, a fixed or ground adjustable prop and fixed gear (except for gliders and seaplanes). Only one engine is allowed, and it must be have passed an annual inspection within the past 12 calendar months. No "Special" or "Experimental" Light Sport Aircraft can exist yet... That comes later.

Specific examples of aircraft that can be flown by Sport Pilots today may include some of the very early Aeronca, Ercoupe, Luscombe, Piper, Porterfield, Taylorcraft, and Thorp's T-211 (See ANN report 08/20/2004). However; individual aircraft of a given type may not meet the criteria due to modification by STC or field approval. Check the records for a particular aircraft to verify that it has not been modified in such a way as to disqualify that aircraft. EAA has a rather complete list of such birds available ( www.sportpilot.org/lsa/standard_certificate_aircraft.html).

FAA promises that the next installments to Sport Pilot and Light Sport Aircraft will arrive in October, 2004; when Practical Test Standards and Knowledge Tests will be published. Also scheduled for publication by the FAA, in October, are Guidelines for Repairman Training, while Designated Pilot Examiner and Designated Airworthiness Representative applications will be accepted.

"The Master switch is turned on," says FAA. Much more to come, so stay tuned to ANN…

FMI: http://www.faa.gov/avr/afs/sportpilot/sportpilotrule.doc#part61303