Light-Sport Aircraft/Sport Pilot Timelines are
Approaching
by Larry Clymer
Reprinted with permission from FAA
Aviation News
It is hard to believe that the Light- Sport
Aircraft/Sport Pilot regulations have been in effect for over 18 months. With
that realization we are fast approaching the first timeline in the program. The
first timeline is the transition of ultralight pilots to sport pilots by January
31, 2007. Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) section 61.329 allows
for ultralight pilots who belonged to a FAA-recognized ultralight organization
on or before September 1, 2004, to obtain sport pilot privileges in the aircraft
category and class they are qualified by passing a knowledge and practical test.
The FAA recognizes the experience obtained in flying ultralight vehicles. In
order to meet federal standards the individual does have to undergo FAA
standardization testing to ensure the individual is qualified to operate in the
National Airspace System. There is no plan to extend this timeline.
The FAA's Light Sport Aviation
Branch trained 42 Sport Pilot Examiners last year and has scheduled six examiner
training classes this year to help meet this timeline. The existing Designated
Pilot Examiner pool has stepped up to the plate and there are over one hundred
of these subject matter experts who are also available to help ultralight pilots
to obtain practical tests. To date there are more than 152 examiners qualified
to perform sport pilot practical test. The real shortfall of examiners is in the
powered parachute and weight-shift communities. The Light Sport Aviation Branch
will focus on training more of these qualified candidates in the upcoming flying
season to help those wanting to meet the January 31, 2007, timeline. The number
of examiners, instructors, and other Sport Pilot designees increases daily.
The next important date is
January 31, 2008. Two significant conversions need to be accomplished in order
to continue in the program by this date. The first is the conversion of existing
ultralight flight instructors to FAA certificated flight instructors with Sport
Pilot privileges. The provisions of 14 CFR section 61.431 allow for registered
ultralight instructors, who were members of an FAA-recognized ultralight
organization on or before September 1, 2004, to obtain an FAA flight instructor
certificate with a Sport Pilot rating by taking a knowledge and practical test.
If the individual has already successfully passed a Fundamentals of Instruction
(FOI) knowledge test given by the FAA-recognized organization and the
organization attests to that fact, the individual does not have to take the FAA
FOI knowledge test. In order to take the practical test the individual must hold
a Sport Pilot or higher certificate in the category and class of aircraft. The
individual takes the practical test from a Sport Pilot Flight Instructor
Examiner.
The FAA's Web site
www.faa.gov is the best source of accurate information on how to find a
Sport Pilot Examiner for the category and class aircraft that you are interested
in obtaining a Sport Pilot certificate. The FAA home page has a 'Search'
location at the top of the page. If you type in Light Sport Aviation Branch, it
will take you to the information you need as far as the Sport Pilot and Light
Sport Aircraft programs and the required forms. If you look to the right on the
Home page, you will see a column titled 'Top Requests.' Under this column you
can find under the subheading 'Pilots' the title 'License and Certificates.'
This area will take you to the practical test standards and knowledge test areas
for Sport Pilot certification.
The second conversion with a
January 31, 2008, limit is ultralight aircraft certification requirements. Under
14 CFR section 21.191(i)(1) an ultralight vehicle that does not meet the
definition of 14 CFR section 103.1 must be registered and certificated in order
to continue to be flown in the National Airspace System. If you already own or
are planning to buy an existing ultralight vehicle that does not meet the
definition of 103.1, you need to start the process of getting the vehicle
registered and certificated. This is a two-part process. The first step is to
register the aircraft using the FAA's Affidavit of Ownership, FAA Form 8050-88A.
It is very important to make sure you complete this form accurately. The
registration process can take as long as eight weeks. After the vehicle is
registered, it is now considered an aircraft and you will receive an N-number to
place on the structure. The next step is to arrange for the aircraft to be
certificated as an Experimental Light Sport Aircraft (ELSA). There are currently
43 Designated Airworthiness Representatives (DAR) who are qualified to
accomplish the certification. The Light Sport Aviation Branch is working on a
program to get more DARs available by late summer of this year. This should help
in the process of getting all the aircraft certificated by the January 31, 2008,
timeline.
The FAA and industry
organizations are working very hard to meet the timelines established by the
September 2004 regulations. Some of the organizations have put together
transition packages to assist pilots. They have also provided information on how
to prepare your ultralight vehicle to meet FAA certification standards. Several
individuals have established very good ground schools to help in preparing for
the Sport Pilot and flight instructor knowledge tests. The Light- Sport
Aircraft/Sport Pilot Program is on the road to success and is a good story on
how the FAA and industry can work together to enhance safety in the National
Airspace System.
Larry Clymer is the Manager of Flight Standards'
Light-Sport Aviation Branch
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