the FAA sport pilot license

The sport pilot/light-sport aircraft rules in the United States create a new category of affordable aircraft--called light-sport aircraft-that will make the dream of owning an aircraft more accessible than ever before. It establishes two new airworthiness certification categories:

  • A special light-sport aircraft (S-LSA); that is, aircraft sold ready-to-fly that may be used for flight training, rental, or personal flight, including personal flight instruction.

  • An experimental light-sport aircraft (E-LSA); that is, aircraft sold in a kit form that may be used for personal recreational flight or personal flight training.

Many would-be aviation enthusiasts find the cost of current type-certificated, ready-to-fly aircraft too expensive for their budgets. The new special LSA (S-LSA) aircraft category offers an opportunity for such individuals to buy new, ready-to-fly aircraft at prices substantially less than what is available in the current ready-to-fly market.

Other enthusiasts, while attracted to some of the kit aircraft currently available in the experimental amateur-built class (which requires that the owner build 51-percent or more of the aircraft), simply don't have the time or perhaps the necessary skills to spend 500 to 1,000 hours over a period of years building an airplane. With the new experimental light-sport aircraft (E-LSA) certificate, they'll be able to purchase a more-completed kit that will require far less work than any currently available. Manufacturers may choose how complete a kit they wish to produce and sell.

Parameters of a Light-Sport Aircraft

    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. For more complete details, see EAA's final analysis of the rule.

Light-Sport Aircraft:
  • Maximum gross takeoff weight-1,320 lbs (599 kg.), 1,430 lbs for seaplanes.
  • Lighter-than-air light-sport aircraft 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)
  • Two-place maximum (pilot and one passenger)
  • Single, non-turbine engine only, includes 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 without FAR Part 23 compliance. Aircraft must meet 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 it was kit- or plans-built and operated as an ultralight trainers. 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), 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, that airworthiness certification category will not be changed to a light-sport aircraft. 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 91.209 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 for operating any aircraft that meet the definition of a light-sport aircraft.
    • 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.
    • 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 does not have an official denial or revocation of medical eligibility on file with FAA).
    • Does not allow carrying passengers for compensation or hire
    • Allows sharing ("pro-rata") operating expenses with another pilot.
    • Allows daylight (civil twilight) 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 and ground instructor certificates.
    • Allows instructors to use ultralight exemption experience.
    • Allows conversion to sport pilot instructor status for ultralight instructors.
    • Allows current CFI's to train sport pilots.

Repairmen Certificates
The sport pilot/light-sport aircraft rule creates two 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
    • Demonstrate the requisite skill to determine whether an E-LSA or S-LSA is in a condition for safe operation
    • U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident for a 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 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.

Preventive 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, 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 your own aircraft).

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