USUA EVP Dale Hooper Weighs In On The LSA/SportPilot Announcement

Sport Pilot has been a long time coming, and the look of calm relief on the face of FAA National Program Manager of Sport and Recreational Aviation, Sue Gardner, this morning, was refreshing. Now, after so many months of being required to keep silent about the finished rule, she, and others, are finally able to relax. But that relaxed attitude can't last for very long. They are now able to discuss the rule (for months they were legally bound to secrecy), and provide assistance in its implementation. She, and others will be a big help to USUA members in the coming weeks.

USUA supports the Sport Pilot/Light Sport aircraft rule, and encourages members to download the finished rule at the links below, and become familiar with it. If you will be flying an aircraft that fits the described Light Sport Aircraft definitions, you will soon be required to be intimate with this rule. USUA will help in your transition, Staff and the legal department are reviewing the document, and will soon be offering clarifications of it's intricacies, along with guidance for members wishing to become Sport Pilots. Guidance for existing ultralight instructors will also be forthcoming. Ongoing meetings between USUA and FAA concerning implementation issues will also provide many answers to your questions. As advised earlier, USUA members are advised to complete ALL ultralight airmen (both pilot and instructor) registrations, to be able to get credit for the special provisions set up by FAA for holders of these ratings.

With the announcement of Sport Pilot, this obvious question comes up- What will happen to Part 103? FAA reiterated today, that Part 103 will remain unchanged. However, let's be clear- a Part 103 legal ultralight vehicle is defined as:

• for a single occupant
• intended for recreation or sport purposes
• unpowered- weighing less than 155 lbs.
• powered- weighing less than 254 lbs. empty
• fuel capacity not exceeding 5 US gallons
• is incapable of more than 55 knots (63.29 mph) top speed in level flight
• has a power-off stall speed of which does not exceed 24 knots (27.62 mph)

If this is your airplane, you are eligible to continue operating under Part 103. If you choose to operate, or to continue to operate, as an ultralight, the United States ULTRALIGHT Association will be there to help and represent you. We are proud of our ultralight roots, and we will not abandon them- or you.

We were there for you then, we are there for you now, and we will be there for you tomorrow.

FMI: www.usua.org