Sport Pilot Certificate /
Light Sport AircraftCategory (LSA)
Presented by HomebuiltHELP.com
(Exciting How-to DVDs for Sport Pilot aircraft builders)
SPORT PILOT/LIGHT-SPORT AIRCRAFT RULE: QUICK ANSWERS TO COMMON
QUESTIONS
Summary of Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) Rule for Sport Pilots:
A new class of simple-to-fly aircraft that meets the
following definition:

The following from
EAA is a
collection of brief answers to some of the more common Sport
Pilot questions:
Aircraft:
- Non-LSA Aircraft:
Holders of a sport pilot certificate may fly an aircraft
with an existing airworthiness certificate if it meets
the definition of a light-sport aircraft (such as weight
and speeds). For example, an amateur-built
STOL CH 701 or
ZODIAC XL aircraft may be flown by a Sport Pilot
since the aircraft meet the definition.
- Can be factory-built
under a new Special Light-Sport Aircraft (S-LSA)
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 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.
 |
The
Zodiac XL was recently featured on the
cover of
EAA Sport Pilot Light-Sport Aircraft
magazine (December 2006 issue).
The
Zodiac CH 601XL... Have It Your Way
Ready-to-fly, ready-to-build, or IFR
capable by Dan Johnson (pages 24 - 31).
|
|
The Sport Pilot rule:
- Allow sport pilots
to fly existing aircraft (standard airworthiness
certificate) that meet the definition of a light-sport
aircraft.
- 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.
More Details:

Aircraft Manufacturing
Development Co.
(AMD) manufactures the certified Light Sport Aircraft
(S-LSA) at its production facilities located south of
Atlanta in Eastman, Georgia.
from EAA Hotline
(December 16, 2005, Volume 5, Number 57): Special
Airworthiness Certificate For S-LSA Zodiac CH 601 XL Aircraft Manufacturing and Development Co
(AMD) has received a
Special Airworthiness Certificate for the Zodiac
CH 601 XL. AMD completed all of the documents,
flight-testing and quality control requirements with
assistance from Zenair Ltd, and the Light Aircraft
Manufacturers Association (LAMA). The all-metal
Zodiac features a Continental O-200, 100-hp engine
and Sensenich propeller. The original model was
designed in the early ‘80s, and reengineered in 2001
as the CH 601 XL. |
EAA
Sport Pilot magazine:
 |
Train for the checkride at home with your flight
simulator program on your PC..., as reviewed in the
June 2006 issue of Sport Pilot magazine:
|
 |
Gleim Publications now offers a Sport Pilot Kit
designed to help expedite training for the sport
pilot certificate. They offer a complete training
program at an affordable price, with user-friendly
self-study materials that are carefully designed to
make it easy to learn and understand.
The
Sport Pilot Kit contains everything you need
(except airplane and instructor). |
|
The Complete
Idiot's Guide to Sport Flying by Dan
Ramsey, Earl Downs, forwarded by Tom Poberezny |
|
The FAA's new sport
flying license will let people earn their wings for
a fraction of the time and cost of a traditional
license. The Complete Idiot’s Guide‚ to Sport
Flying introduces this new field of flying to
consumers, and shows you how to fly smart—offering
tips on how to get more flying fun for less money.
Order from Amazon.com |
Zenith Aircraft Company's
amateur-built kit
STOL CH 701 and
ZODIAC XL designs should be eligible for
operation under the new rules. However, Zenith Aircraft
Company cannot guarantee that kit aircraft, as constructed
by the builder, will be eligible for operation under the new
category.
Already, the STOL CH 701 and
the ZODIAC CH 601 can be licensed in Canada and in Europe
under "Advanced Ultralight" rules, where some are used for
flight training. Based
on the market demand, plans are being made to offer
assembled aircraft as allowed under the new rules.
 |
If I become a sport
pilot, what can I fly?
An aircraft that meets the definition of a light-sport aircraft may
hold an airworthiness certificate in any one of the following
categories of FAA certification:
-
An experimental
aircraft, including amateur-built aircraft (such as the
ZODIAC
XL or
STOL CH
701, for which the owner must construct more than 51-percent
of the aircraft.
-
A standard category
aircraft; that is, a ready-to-fly aircraft that is
type-certificated in accordance with FAR Part 43.
-
A Primary category
aircraft; that is, a ready-to-fly aircraft that is
type-certificated in accordance with Primary category
regulations.
-
A
factory-produced "special" light-sport aircraft (S-LSA)
-
An experimental
light-sport aircraft. (E-LSA)

Presented by HomebuiltHELP.com
(Exciting How-to DVDs for Sport Pilot aircraft builders)
|