Sport Pilot Rule Synopsis

This is a synopsis of the definition of a light-sport aircraft category, the requirements to obtain a sport pilot certificate, and requirements to obtain a repairman certificate with a maintenance or inspection rating. More complete details can be found in Sport Pilot Airplane

Light-Sport Aircraft:

The FAA defines a light-sport aircraft as an aircraft, other than a helicopter or powered-lift that, since its original certification, has continued to meet the following:

• Maximum gross takeoff weight—1,320 lbs, or 1,430 lbs for seaplanes.
• Lighter-than-air maximum gross weight—660 lbs (300 kg.)
• Maximum stall speed—51 mph (45 knots)
• Maximum speed in level flight with maximum continuous power (Vh)—138 mph (120 knots)
• Single or two-seat aircraft only
• Single, reciprocating engine (if powered), including rotary or diesel engines
• Fixed or ground-adjustable propeller
• Unpressurized cabin
• Fixed landing gear, except for an aircraft intended for operation on water or a glider
• Can be manufactured and sold ready-to-fly under a new Special Light-Sport aircraft certification category. Aircraft must meet industry consensus standards. Aircraft under this certification may be used for sport and recreation, flight training, and aircraft rental.
• Can be licensed Experimental Light-Sport Aircraft (E-LSA) if kit- or plans-built. Aircraft under this certification may be used only for sport and recreation and flight instruction for the owner of the aircraft.
• Can be licensed Experimental Light-Sport Aircraft (E-LSA) if the aircraft has previously been operated as an ultralight but does not meet the FAR Part 103 definition of an ultralight vehicle. These aircraft must be transitioned to E-LSA category no later than January 31, 2008.
• Will have FAA registration—N-number.
• Aircraft category and class includes: Airplane (Land/Sea), Gyroplane, Airship, Balloon, Weight-Shift-Control ("Trike" Land/Sea), Glider, and Powered Parachute.
• U.S. or foreign manufacture of light-sport aircraft is authorized.
• Aircraft with a standard airworthiness certificate that meet above specifications may be flown by sport pilots. However, the aircraft must remain in standard category and cannot be changed to light-sport aircraft category. 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.
• May be operated at night if the aircraft is equipped per FAR 91.205, if such operations are allowed by the aircraft's operating limitations and the pilot holds at least a Private Pilot certificate and a minimum of a third-class medical.
   

The Sport Pilot Rule:

A sport pilot may exercise flight privileges in one or more of the following aircraft categories:

• Airplane (single-engine only)
• Glider
• Lighter-than-air (airship or balloon)
• Rotorcraft (gyroplane only)
• Powered Parachute
• Weight-Shift control aircraft(e.g. Trikes)

The sport pilot rule:

• Creates a new student sport pilot certificate
• Creates a new sport pilot flight instructor certificate.
• Requires FAA knowledge (written) and practical (flight) test.
• Credits ultralight training and experience toward a sport pilot certificate providing the ultralight pilot transitions to a sport pilot certificate by 31 January 2007.
• Credits sport pilot flight time toward more advanced pilot ratings.
• Requires either a 3rd class FAA medical certificate or a current and valid U.S. driver’s license as evidence of medical eligibility (provided the individual's most recent application for an FAA medical certificate was not denied, revoked, suspended or withdrawn).
• Does not allow carrying passengers for compensation or hire
• Does not allow flights in furtherance of business
• Allows sharing (“pro-rata”) operating expenses with another pilot.
• Allows daytime flight only.
• Allow sport pilots to fly vintage and production aircraft (standard airworthiness certificate) that meet the definition of a light-sport aircraft.

Sport Pilot Flight Instructors:

The new sport pilot/light-sport aircraft rule:

• Creates new sport pilot flight instructor certificate.
• Allows conversion to sport pilot instructor status for ultralight instructors (provided the instructor makes the transition by 31 January 2008).
• Allows current CFI’s to train sport pilots.

Repairmen Certificates

The sport pilot/light-sport aircraft rule creates a new Light-Sport Repairmen certificate—with either a maintenance or inspection rating. To earn an FAA repairman certificate of any type, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Speak, read, and understand English
• Be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident
• Demonstrate the requisite skill to determine whether an E-LSA or S-LSA is in a condition for safe operation
• For an Inspection rating—complete a 16 hour course on the inspection requirements of the particular class of light-sport aircraft;
• For a Maintenance rating—complete a course – 120 hours (airplane category); 104 hours (weight shift or powered parachute); 80 hours (glider or lighter-than-air) -- on the maintenance and inspection requirements of the particular class of light-sport aircraft.

Other LSA Maintenance Options

The annual condition inspection on special light-sport airworthiness certificated aircraft--can be completed by:

• An appropriately rated mechanic—that is, A&P
• An appropriately rated repair station; or
• A light-sport repairman with a maintenance rating.
• Only preventative maintenance can be performed by a certificated pilot (Sport Pilot rating or higher)

The annual condition inspection on experimental light-sport airworthiness certificated aircraft--can be completed by:

• An appropriately rated mechanic—that is, an A&P
• An appropriately rated repair station; or
• A light-sport repairman with a maintenance rating; or
• A light-sport repairman with a inspection rating (only on aircraft you own).

No rating is required to perform maintenance on experimental light-sport airworthiness certificated aircraft.