Flight Training Information

Flight Training for sport pilots has begun. Many of our Regional Centers are now providing sport pilot training. If you are in a location which is not currently providing training and you wish to receive training please email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and we will do our best to make arrangements for you. Those individuals that wish to get a head start may start training now. The testing and flight syllabus for sport pilot is now available. Ground school and sport pilot training may begin now in any aircraft. Flight time counts as flight time.

There is a shortage of sport planes to train in. A pilot could purchase a sport plane for their own training as well as lease the sport plane back to their local flight school. It will take years to supply all the flight schools accross the USA. A good leaseback program can be very beneficial to the sport pilot and assure training in their area.

If a sport pilot chooses to train in a non-sport plane they will need an FAA medical to solo in the aircraft. When the flight instructor qualifies the student for the sport pilot license, he will just need a checkout in the sport plane of their choice. The written test became available Jan 2005. Our-LSA aircraft may be used for flight training.

See FAA's FAR 91.319 Part 91 GENERAL OPERATING AND FLIGHT RULES Subpart D--Special Flight Operations Sec. 91.319 Aircraft having experimental certificates: Operating limitations. (d) Each person operating an aircraft that has an experimental certificate shall-- (1) Advise each person carried of the experimental nature of the aircraft; (2) Operate under VFR, day only, unless otherwise specifically authorized by the Administrator; and (3) Notify the control tower of the experimental nature of the aircraft when operating the aircraft into or out of airports with operating control towers. [(e) No person may operate an aircraft that is issued an experimental certificate under §21.191 (i) of this chapter for compensation or hire, except a person may operate an aircraft issued an experimental certificate under §21.191 (i)(1) for compensation or hire to- (1) Tow a glider that is a light-sport aircraft or unpowered ultralight vehicle in accordance with §91.309; or (2) Conduct flight training in an aircraft which that person provides prior to January 31, 2010. (f) No person may lease an aircraft that is issued an experimental certificate under §21.191 (i) of this chapter, except in accordance with paragraph (e)(1) of this section. (g) No person may operate an aircraft issued an experimental certificate under §21.191 (i)(1) of this chapter to tow a glider that is a light-sport aircraft or unpowered ultralight vehicle for compensation or hire or to conduct flight training for compensation or hire in an aircraft which that persons provides unless within the preceding 100 hours of time in service the aircraft has- (1) Been inspected by a certificated repairman (light-sport aircraft) with a maintenance rating, an appropriately rated mechanic, or an appropriately rated repair station in accordance with inspection procedures developed by the aircraft manufacturer or a person acceptable to the FAA; or (2) Received an inspection for the issuance of an airworthiness certificate in accordance with part 21 of this chapter. (h) The FAA may issue deviation authority providing relief from the provisions of paragraph (a) of this section for the purpose of conducting flight training. The FAA will issue this deviation authority as a letter of deviation authority. (1) The FAA may cancel or amend a letter of deviation authority at any time. (2) An applicant must submit a request for deviation authority to the FAA at least 60 days before the date of intended operations. A request for deviation authority must contain a complete description of the proposed operation and justification that establishes a level of safety equivalent to that provided under the regulations for the deviation requested. (i) The Administrator may prescribe additional limitations that the Administrator considers necessary, including limitations on the persons that may be carried in the aircraft.] (SEE FAR 21.191 Amdt. 91-282, Eff. 9/1/2004 below) Comments Document History Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Actions: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. Notice No. 02-03; Published in the Federal Register on February 5, 2002. Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. Notice No. 02-07; Published in the Federal Register on March 19, 2002. Final Rule Actions: Final Rule. Docket No. FAA-2001-11133; Published in the Federal Register on July 27, 2004. Far 21.191 (note this is not the entire FAR 21. ) Aircraft having experimental certificates: Operating limitations. [ (i) Operating light-sport aircraft. Operating a light-sport aircraft that- (1) Has not been issued a U.S. or foreign airworthiness certificate and does not meet the provisions of §103.1 of this chapter. An experimental certificate will not be issued under this paragraph for these aircraft after October 31, 2008; (2) Has been assembled- (i) From an aircraft kit for which the applicant can provide the information required by §21.193 (e); and (ii) In accordance with manufacturer's assembly instructions that meet an applicable consensus standard; or (3) Has been previously issued a special airworthiness certificate in the light- sport category under §21.190.] Amdt. 21-85, Eff. 9/1/2004

PLEASE EMAIL US AT This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it with additional questions or for flight training.

SEE FAA ANSWERS TO QUESTONS BELOW Also see the FAA's new website filled with answers, power point presentations, and forms at http://afs600.faa.gov/AFS610.htm

EAA RON WAGNER AND FAA FINAL RULE PRESENTATION: Oshkosh AirVenture 2004: 27 Jul 2004:

This is a synopsis of notes taken during the subject meeting.

Now that the final rule has been released, many answers were given to questions that have been on our minds since the NPRM was released over 2 years ago:

USE OF DRIVER'S LICENSE IN LIEU OF 3D CLASS MEDICAL:

(a) There is an issue for those FAA certified pilots that have had their FAA medical suspended, denied or revoked. They must reapply to the FAA to clear their medical record before they can use their driver's license in lieu of a medical to operate light sport aircraft.

However, this process is being reviewed by the FAA and industry leaders to streamline the process. This has the attention of the FAA at the highest levels on the express promise of Marion Blakey, FAA Administrator.

(b) Come 1 Sep 2004, those GA pilots that have not had their medical suspended, denied, or revoked, (perhaps they have just let their medical lapse), can fly any light sport compliant aircraft in which the pilot holds a category and class rating, using their valid State driver's license to meet the medical eligibility requirements. A flight review is also required.

(ED. NOTE: Please check with your insurance company to determine if they provide insurance under the new rule allowances)

FAA MILESTONE SCHEDULES:

(a) DESIGNATED PILOT EXAMINERS:

FAA OKC plans to have first group of Designated Pilot Examiners (DPEs) and LSA pilot certificates available by some time in Nov 2004.

The practical knowledge tests are expected to be completed some time in Jan 2005.

Certification of LSA pilots and Experimental Light Sport Aircraft (ELSA) and Special Light Sport Aircraft (SLSA) is expected to begin sometime in Jan 2005.

(b) DESIGNATED AIRWORTHINESS REPRESENTATIVES:

A National Board of Examiners for DARs will be created, with acceptance of DAR candidates by 1 Oct 2004. Existing FAA DARs are encouraged to apply and to obtain the added training required to inspect LSA.

The first FAA group of DARs is expected some time in Dec 2004, with the next group of DARs by some time in Jan 2005. 45 DARs are expected to be ready for certificating LSA some time in Jan 2005.

(c) LSA REGISTRY:

The OKC registry is expected to be ready to accept LSA registrations beginning some time in Oct 2004.

(ED. NOTE: Certification of LSA aircraft will not start until some time in Jan 2005).

FAA SPORT PILOT AND LIGHT SPORT AIRCRAFT RULE TEAM:

Sue Gardner, National Manager of Sport Aviation, Washington, DC, was the key FAA person most responsible for making the new SP/LSA rule possible. Ably assisting in all aircraft certification technical matters from the beginning was Scott Sedgwick, Small Airplane Directorate, Kansas City, MO. Scott also was a key FAA person responsible for leading the efforts of the industy in developing the consensus standards for SP/LSA.

FAA LIGHT SPORT RULE IMPLEMENTATION TEAM:

Marty Weaver is the new Light Sport Aviation Branch Manager, at FAA, Oklahoma City, OK.

At the present Marty's staff consists of Larry Clymer, Dan Billman, and Les Sargent.

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS:

Q1: An ultralight flight instructor must first become a sport pilot, taking the knowledge and the practical flight test from a Designated Sport Pilot Examiner (DPE). Following this, the applicant must take the knowledge and flight tests for Sport Pilot Certified Flight Instuctor via a Designated Instructor Examiner (SFIE). Both the knowledge and flight testing can be taken concurrently.

Q2: A FAA certified CFI or FAA certified sport pilot CFI must have at least 5 hours as PIC in make-model (or one of the make/model set of aircraft) used as a training aircraft.

Q3: The amateur-built rule will not be changed by the LSA rule. Neither will Part 103 for ultralights, except that after some period of time, the training exemption will be expire (31 Jan 2008). After that date, only Special LSA Certificated ready-to-fly aircraft will be used for training for hire.

Q4: Any FAA certificated pilot exercising sport pilot priviledges, including recreational pilot, can operate a LSA aircraft.

Q5: Salesmen providing sales demo flights must have at least a private pilot's license with appropriate category and class ratings, to demonstrate aircraft to prospective customers. Any owner of a LSA with at least a sport pilot's license may demonstrate his/her aircraft to a prospective customer.

Q6: Any sport pilot CFI can give lessons for fee, provided the owner hires the CFI for instruction in the owner's personal sport compliant aircraft, including amateur-built aircraft. However, the instructor cannot charge for use of the instructor's aircraft, or place the aircraft in the training or rental fleet. Only ready-to-fly aircraft with the special light sport airworthiness certificate can be used for hire for training or rental.

Q7: The owner of a experimental light sport aircraft (ELSA) need not assist in building 51% of the aircraft. That owner must complete a 2-day 16 hour course to obtain a repairman certificate with an inspection rating if he/she wishes to conduct an annual condition inspection on an ELSA. In addition, any subsequent owner of the LSA may complete the 16 hour course if he/she wishes to do their own annual condition inspection. Those completing 51% of an experimental homebuilt can do their own maintenance.

Q8: A FAA certified CFI without current medical, provided the medical was not suspended, denied, or revoked, can take the knowledge test and a flight check in a LSA compliant aircraft via a Sport Flight Instructor Examiner (SFIE) and having at least 5 hours PIC in that aircraft, can then instruct in that aircraft or group of aircraft designated acceptable under the Make/Model provisions. (ED. NOTE: The aircraft must have a Standard or Special Light Sport Airworthiness Certificate)

Q9: A private pilot with valid state driver's license, given a flight review by a CFI, can operate a LSA under visual flight rules.

Q10: An ultralight, single or two-place, can be registered under LSA, inspected by a FAA Designated Airworthiness Representative (DAR), and be issued an Experimental LSA Airworthiness Certificate. (Note that the exemption for training for ultralight and sport pilots in 2-place "ultralights" will be continued until 31 Jan 2004)

Q11: The manufacturer may build up to 99% of an aircraft to be registered under the Experimental LSA Certificate. Under LSA, the 51% homebuilt rule does not apply. The Experimental LSA cannot be used for training except by the owner of the aircraft and only for training the owner. The ELSA cannot be used for rental or for hire for training

Q12: Modification of ready-to-fly LSA with Special LSA Certificate will down-grade the aircraft to Experimental LSA unless the manufacturer certifies that the modification is acceptable, and has performed the necessary first-article testing of the modified aircraft.

Q13: LSA can operate only in unrestricted VFR airspace, unless the sport pilot has the proper instructor endorsements for operating in other airspace, and the aircraft is also properly equipped for operation in that airspace. A private pilot is trained for operating in all airspace, and may operate in that airspace in a LSA, provided the aircraft is properly equipped.

Q14: Minimum requirements for a light sport pilot are 20 hours total time, of which 15 hours is dual PIC, and of which 5 hours is solo. At least one hour of dual is cross-country in one trip. Note that each category of aircraft (airplane, weight shift, glider, gyroplane, powered parachute, lighter-than-air) has its own special training requirements.

Q15: The FAA safety program will be used in the SP/LSA program.

Q16: Recreational Pilots can operate LSA, with biennial flight review. Cross country flight training is mandatory per sport pilot requirements.

Q17: Special LSA Certificates for ready-to-fly aircraft, with trained DARs available, is expected to be available by Jan 2005.

Q18: Almost ready-to-fly (greater than 51% built by factory), or ready-to-fly aircraft NOT manufactured under the ASTM LSA Standards (Design and Performance, QA, Production Acceptance, Continuing Airworthiness), CANNOT be registered under Special LSA, but CAN be registered under an Experimental Exhibition Certificate, if not certified before 31 Jan 2008 as an experimental LSA.

Q19: A private pilot can operate a LSA at night, provided the pilot has a valid FAA 3d class medical, and the aircraft is outfitted for operation at night.

Q20: Instruction of Sport Pilots for airplanes is expected to start 1 Sep 2004. Weight Shift and Powered Parachute pilots will begin instruction some time after l Sep 2004. Practical test standards and knowledge tests are available after 15 Oct 2004. No sport pilots will be certified until after 15 Jan 2005.

Q21: Starting 1 Sep 2004, Standard Category aircraft meeting the performance limitations of LSA can be flown by a Light Sport Pilot with a biennial flight review and endorsement by a DPE. A private pilot with valid state driver's license and no suspended, denied, or revoked FAA medical can also operate a light sport compliant standard category aircraft, but only under sport pilot priviledges.

Q22: An ultralight Basic Flight Instructor (BFI) can be upgraded to Sport Pilot Instructor by first becoming a Sport Pilot then a Sport Pilot Instructor. As noted before, the knowledge tests and flight tests can be taken concurrently. Ultralight pilots are planned to be upgraded to Sport pilots, given the knowledge and flight testing, after 15 Jan 2005.

Q23: Existing DPE can start training now to become LSA DPE, but will have to wait until some time during Jan 2005 to be certified LSA DPE.

Q24: FAA expects Associations, LSA industry to assist in creating training syllabus for LSA pilots.

Q25: Existing CFI can train LSA pilots in any airspace CFI is trained in. CFI must pass knowledge and flight tests (at least 5 hours in make/model) and have instructor endorsement for operating LSA in higher levels of airspace. Aircraft must be properly equipped.