SportPilotTraining
Sport Pilot information for pilots and aviation enthusiastsSpeed and accessibility!
FAA Administrator Marion Blakey announced the new regulation and creation of Sport Pilot and Light Sport Aircraft regulations on July 20, 2004 at the EAA Aviation center in Oshkosh, WI. The ruling took affect in September of that year. Pilots and promoters of aviation hope that the new ruling will lower the cost of entry into flying and encourage more people to get involved.
Sport Pilot Certificate
Sport pilots will be limited to operating aircraft that meet the definition of a light-sport aircraft. That includes aircraft in the following categories:
- Airplanes (single-engine only)
- Gliders
- Lighter-than-air ships (airship or balloon)
- Rotorcraft (gyroplane only)
- Powered Parachutes
- Weight-Shift controlled aircraft (e.g. trikes)
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A sport pilot applicant must:
- Be a minimum of 16 years of age to become a student sport pilot (14 for glider).
- Be 17 years of age before testing for a sport pilot certificate (16 for gliders).
- Be able to read, write, and understand the English language.
- Hold either a current and valid U.S. driver's license or an FAA airman's medical certificate.
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Sport Pilot Restrictions
Restrictions on a sport pilot certificate:
- No night flights;
- No flights into Class A airspace, which is at or over 18,000' MSL;
- No flights into Class B, C, or D airspace unless you receive training and a logbook endorsement;
- No flights outside the U.S. without advance permission from that country(ies)
- No sightseeing flights with passengers for charity fund raisers;
- No flights above 10,000' MSL or 2,000' AGL, whichever is higher;
- No flights when the flight or surface visibility is less than 3 statute miles;
- No flights unless you can see the surface of the earth for flight reference;
- No flights if the operating limitations issued with the aircraft do not permit that activity;
- No flights contrary to any limitation listed on the pilot's certificate, U.S. driver's license, FAA medical certificate, or logbook endorsement(s);
- No flights while carrying a passenger or property for compensation or hire (no commercial operations);
- No renting a light-sport aircraft unless it was issued a "special" airworthiness certificate;
- Any qualified and current pilot (recreational pilot or higher) may fly a light-sport aircraft.
- A light-sport aircraft may be flown at night if it is properly equipped for night flight and flown by a individual with a private pilot (or higher) certificate who has a current and valid FAA airman's certificate.
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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.
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