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.
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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."
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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."
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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."