Certification of Light Aircraft and
Pilots for the Operation of Light-Sport Aircraft
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Certification of Pilots, and
Light Aircraft and for the Operation of Light-Sport Aircraft
in the United Statesa.
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Light Sport and Ultralight Aircraft
Technical Support |
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This is a rundown of the definition
of a light-sport aircraft. The steps necesary to obtain a sport
pilot certificate, as well as the requirements for obtaining a
repairman certificate with a maintenance or inspection rating.
The complete rule is available in
PDF format
(452 pages, 950K).
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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
- Un-pressurized 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)
- Powered Parachute
- Rotorcraft (gyroplane only)
- 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 |
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of web video interviews on the world of Light Sport Aircraft subscribe to
the Ultralight Flyer web video magazine - Only $24.50 U.S. per year gives your access to web video on Light Sport
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designer, accessories and much, much more!
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Light Sport Aircraft News Web Magazine PO Box 1710 Holland Landing
Ontario Canada L9N 1P2 647-723-8767.
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