Sport Pilot Frequently Asked Questions:
What Are The Sport Pilot Privileges And Limitations? How Do I Register As A Sport Pilot?? What About The Medical? What Are Light Sport Aircraft?
What Are The Sport Pilot Privileges And Limitations?
Sport pilot will allow ultralight pilots additional privileges to what they have been previously used to. However some operating limitations will still apply.
Basic Sport Pilot Privileges include:
• You can only fly when visibility is 3 miles or greater
• You CAN carry a passenger
• You can fly in basic airspace with no communication with Air Traffic Control (class E & G)
• You can fly in a LSA that goes less than 100 MPH
Some limitations include:
• You cannot fly for compensation or hire
• You must stay below 10,000 ft
• You cannot tow any object
The rule has been designed to incorporate "building blocks", which will allow the Sport Pilot to, with additional training and endorsements:
• Fly in class B, C and D airspace
• Additional category and class endorsements may be added
• Fly over 100 mph
Sport Pilots are limited to flying the following aircraft:
• Ultralights,
• Registered LSA that we previously affectionately called "Fat Ultralights" and 2 place trainers
• Newly manufactured LSA
• Experimental LSA
• Kit built LSA
• Already certificated aircraft that meets LSA definitions
How Do I Register As A Sport Pilot?
A new airman application form has been created by FAA for SP to be used for new pilot registrations. Sport Pilot certificates will have no Category/Class rating printed on the identification (wallet) card. It will just say Sport Pilot - the cat/class privileges will be endorsements in your logbook. Also recorded in the logbook will be additional privileges and additional cat/classes. SPORT PILOTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO CARRY THEIR LOGBOOK WITH THEM ON EACH AND EVERY FLIGHT.
The requirements for the Sport Pilot certificate are:
• Meet SP Medical requirements (3rd class medical or valid US drivers license)
• Applicant must be at least 17 years of age (16 for balloons and gliders)
• 20 Hours Total
o 15 Hours Flight training
o 5 Hours Solo
including:
• 2 Hours Dual Cross Country
• 1 Solo Cross Country
• 3 Hours Prep
• Successful completion of knowledge and practical tests
If you are registered as an Ultralight pilot with an FAA-recognized ultralight registration program BEFORE September 1, 2004:
• Applicant must be at least 17 years of age (16 for balloons and gliders)
• Must be able to read and speak the English language
• Meet SP Medical requirements (3rd class medical or valid US drivers license)
• Applicant must be at least 17 years of age (16 for balloons and gliders)
• Successful completion of knowledge and practical tests
• Registered Ultralight pilots will have until January 31, 2007 to take advantage of the credit FAA allows for their ultralight pilot registration. After this date, ALL SPORT PILOT APPLICANTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO HAVE ACCUMULATED ALL TRAINING AND FLIGHT TIME REQUIREMENTS. As proof of your ultralight Pilot registration, FAA will accept certified proof of that registration, as provided by the FAA-recognized ultralight registration organization with whom you are registered. USUA has tried to get some exact description of what this "certified" document should be, but apparently we will need to consult the upcoming Advisory Circular for details. Preliminary discussions indicate that your USUA issued member and airman card should suffice. If additional documentation is required, USUA will provide that documentation at no charge to current USUA members. All updates and additional information will be posted on the USUA website.
If you are registered as an Ultralight pilot with an FAA-recognized ultralight registration program AFTER September 1, 2004:
• Applicant must be at least 17 years of age (16 for balloons and gliders)
• Meet SP Medical requirements (3rd class medical or valid US drivers license)
• Must be able to read and speak the English language
• 20 Hours Total
• 15 Hours Flight training
• 5 Hours Solo
including:
• 2 Hours Dual Cross Country
• 1 Solo Cross Country
• 3 Hours Prep
• Successful completion of knowledge and practical tests
• Credit is available for time logged as an ultralight pilot with an FAA-recognized ultralight registration program until January 31, 2007
Compliance with NTSB guidelines will be required. ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION WILL BE REAL AND HANDLED BY THE NTSB.
If you fly in airspace that requires special equipment (transponder etc.) you will need to have that equipment.
What About The Medical?
The Drivers License medical is the most talked about issue in Sport Pilot. In all other FAA airmen programs (Rec Pilot, Private Pilot, etc.), there is a provision that requires applicants to pass and possess a valid 3rd class medical or higher. This certifies FAA that the pilot's physical condition is such that there should be no medical factors that will affect his/her ability to safely pilot an aircraft. Sport Pilot has brought about the possibility of using a current and valid US Driver's License to satisfy the medical requirements. Originally presented as a way in which pilot's who have lost their medical will again be allowed to fly, the final rule took an unsuspected turn.
• You have the option to use a 3rd class medical OR a drivers license
• If you use the Driver's License option you must comply with the limitations of your Driver's License (eyeglasses etc.)
• If you lose your license to drive for any reason (parking tickets etc.) you have lost your license to fly.
• YOUR MOST RECENTLY ISSUED MEDICAL CANNOT HAVE BEEN DENIED, SUSPENDED OR REVOKED - IF SO YOU CANNOT USE YOUR DRIVERS LICENSE AS A MEDICAL.
• YOUR MOST RECENT MEDICAL APPLICATION CANNOT HAVE BEEN DENIED - IF SO YOU CANNOT USE YOUR DRIVERS LICENSE AS A MEDICAL.
• IF YOUR MOST RECENTLY ISSUED SPECIAL ISSUANCE IS NO LONGER VALID - YOU CAN NOT USE YOUR DRIVERS LICENSE AS A MEDICAL.
• IF YOU DID NOT LOSE YOUR MEDICAL (IT WAS NOT DENIED, BUT YOU HAVE FELT THAT YOU MIGHT BE UNABLE TO PASS THE EXAM), YOU CAN USE YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE.
If you think that you might be affected by these provisions, or to just check your medical records with FAA, go to your Regional Medical Office of the Aerospace Medical Certification Division. At this site, you will find regional office contact information. Contact the appropriate office, and they will be able to assist you. In order for FAA to provide you with this information, you will need to properly identify yourself (name, date of birth, social security number, etc.) for this service.
In any event, everyone, before acting as PIC (Pilot In Command) of an aircraft, must determine if they are physically fit before flying. You must act responsibly.
What Are Light Sport Aircraft?
LSA is defined by FAA as being:
• Simple low performance low energy aircraft including airplanes, gliders, gyroplanes, balloons, airships, weight shift control (trikes), and powered parachutes.
• With a maximum weight of 1320 lbs/1430 lbs for seaplanes
• Single reciprocating engines (which includes diesel & rotary engines - but does not allow jets)
• Maximum stall speed of 45 knots (with no lift enhancing devices)
• Maximum top speed of 120 knots
• Fixed landing gear (except if equipped with amphibious floats - which can be repositionable once in flight)
• Fixed pitch propeller (unless equipment is ground-only repositionable)
