Regulatory and Certification Policy

Sport Pilot and Light Sport Aircraft

AOPA petitions FAA to allow more pilots back in the air

AOPA is petitioning the FAA to fix the sport pilot "Catch 22" and to allow recreational pilots to fly with a "driver's license medical."

"That would mean that even if you've lost your medical, you could still fly something as large as a Cessna 172 if you're healthy enough for a driver's license and don't have any medical conditions that could incapacitate you," said AOPA President Phil Boyer.

An AOPA member exercising recreational pilot privileges could fly in day-VFR conditions in a single-engine, fixed-gear aircraft with no more than 180 horsepower. Up to four seats are allowed, but a recreational pilot can have only one passenger on board. More on AOPA's petition >>

(June 9, 2006)

Light sport airplanes descend on AOPA headquarters

A new generation of aircraft from around the world converged on AOPA headquarters at the Frederick Municipal Airport in Maryland Monday during a special light sport aircraft event. Airplanes made in Italy, Australia, the Czech Republic, and America lined AOPA's ramp, ready for demonstration flights.

"AOPA represents pilots and owners, from airline pilots to J-3 Cub owners, and we are here to keep their flying safe, fun, and affordable," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "These airplanes open a wider door into general aviation flying. They cater not only to new students who are looking for a more affordable way to learn to fly but also to veteran pilots who may want to get back to the joys of flying a simple, easy-to-handle airplane."

The event, organized in conjunction with the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association (LAMA), was designed to help AOPA staffers become better acquainted with this new category of aircraft — knowledge they'll put to use in their ongoing advocacy and education efforts on behalf of all general aviation pilots and aircraft owners. The gathering also helped manufacturers and representatives get a better understanding of the many assets that AOPA can provide to their customers — the owners and pilots of these planes.

"It's clear that pilots who fly light sport aircraft have critical interests in common with every other GA pilot — like access to airports, airspace, and air traffic services," said Boyer. "By understanding what this new group of airplanes and pilots has in common with more traditional GA, and what is different, AOPA can better serve this exciting new segment." More on light sport aircraft at AOPA >>

[See also "Editors take light-sport aircraft around the patch."]

(June 20, 2005)

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Light sport aircraft — the video

What's it like to fly some of the new light sport aircraft? You can get a taste of it — along with the reactions of some of your AOPA staff pilots — in this 3:30 video. (Windows Media 9 and broadband connection recommended.)

(June 21, 2005)

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FAA provides guidance for flight instructors on sport pilot

Flight instructors who have toyed with the idea of sport pilot instruction now have a place to turn for guidance. The FAA's Light Sport Aviation Branch has posted two documents on its Web site for flight instructors who want to provide sport pilot training and proficiency checks.

"Sport Pilot Flight Instructor Duties and Responsibilities" is a presentation that explains the specific regulations flight instructors need to review in order to comply with sport pilot rules. "Proficiency Check Procedures for Obtaining Additional Category/Class Sport Pilot Privileges" provides guidance for giving proficiency checks.

Flight instructors should follow the procedures outlined to ensure that the proper paperwork is accurate and completed in a timely manner. Martin Weaver, manager of the FAA's Light Sport Aviation Branch, pointed out that "under the provisions of 14 CFR 61.413(i) and 61.423(b), flight instructors assume a greater responsibility in FAA certification."

(April 22, 2005)

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First ready-to-fly light-sport airplanes out for delivery

The FAA on Thursday signed off on the final hurdle allowing manufacturers to sell ready-to-fly light-sport airplanes and provided guidance for inspectors to issue airworthiness certificates.

The FAA also announced that it will begin training designated airworthiness representatives (DARs) to issue airworthiness certificates, which will reduce the burden on FAA inspectors and allow manufacturers to expedite aircraft deliveries. Now it's a contest between companies to see who will be the first to deliver a new airplane.

Tom Peghiny, president of the Connecticut-based Flightstar Sportplanes Inc., is hoping he'll be the one at Sun 'n Fun next week in Lakeland, Florida. Peghiny's company imports the German-made Flight Design CT, a slick composite two-seat machine.

Earlier this week, the government-industry group called the ASTM Committee F37 finished the last of the so-called consensus standards to which the industry will be adhering in order to ensure quality in designing and building ready-to-fly airplanes. AOPA is a member of that group.

(April 8, 2005)

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Work nears completion for light-sport airplanes

A green light could come soon for aircraft manufacturers wanting to sell ready-to-fly light-sport airplanes. A government-industry group called the ASTM Committee F37 is now considering the final hurdle, the last of the so-called consensus standards to which the industry will be adhering in order to ensure quality in designing and building ready-to-fly airplanes. A committee vote on maintenance manuals is due April 5. Assuming there are no negative votes, the standard will then have to be accepted by the FAA. The FAA has a seat on the ASTM committee and casts one vote along with votes from industry representatives. The agency likely won't have misgivings the second time it looks at the standard, but the sport pilot and light-sport aircraft initiative has had many past delays, so keep your fingers crossed.

(April 1, 2005)

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First sport pilot certificate in powered parachute issued

The first sport pilot certificate with powered parachute privileges issued by a sport pilot examiner was given Monday. Larry Littlefield conducted the evaluation of Baron Tayler in Florida in a Powrachute Pegasus.

As sport pilot certification begins to take off, the FAA's Light Sport Aviation Branch also is preparing more examiners. The second sport pilot examiner initial course started Monday and will continue through Saturday, March 26. The eight candidates in the course will be working to give checkrides in airplanes, powered parachutes, or weight-shift control aircraft.

(March 23, 2005)

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Sport pilot Airman Certification and/or Rating Application available

The FAA has released Form 8710-11, the Airman Certification and/or Rating Application — Sport Pilot. The form is available in the links section at right. Examiners and instructors should use this form when performing sport pilot certification and ensure that it is accurate before sending it to Airman Records (AFS-760).

By the end of February, 104 airman, instructor, and examiner sport pilot knowledge tests had been administered. And a total 52 sport pilot airman exams were given without any failures.

The FAA also has updated its list of sport pilot designated examiners. You can search for an examiner on the Light Sport Aviation Branch Web site.

(March 9, 2005)

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FAA creates charts to answer questions about sport pilot

Have you ever wondered exactly what you needed to do to earn a sport pilot certificate or to operate under those rules? What kind of privileges do instructors receive when they add the sport pilot rating? What must you do to meet the maintenance requirements for your light-sport aircraft?

Now the answers to these questions and more are available in simple, easy-to-read charts created by the FAA. The agency compiled these documents to answer sport pilot frequently asked questions.

Light-sport aircraft maintenance and certification requirements; pilot certification eligibility, training, and testing requirements; and a handout for pilots and flight instructors are available in the links section at right.

(February 25, 2005)

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Light-sport aircraft makers gear up for first sales

The FAA last week accepted the first set of industry-developed consensus standards for light-sport aircraft. These are the technical standards manufacturers will be using to produce ready-to-fly and kit-built aircraft. Of the nine standards that are required for each category, six have been approved for airplanes and powered parachutes. Other standards were approved for gyroplanes and lighter-than-air aircraft. Work on the rest of the standards is continuing before manufacturers can sell the aircraft.

(February 25, 2005)

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First sport pilot examiners ready to give checkrides—Next examiner class set for March 21

The first batch of sport pilot examiners has been approved to give checkrides. The group of eight finished the sport pilot examiner initial training course last week. They completed initial sport pilot and sport pilot flight instructor evaluations and reviewed sport pilot regulations, practical test standards, and the examiner handbook.

Examiners approved to give sport pilot checkrides are William Bardin and Brian Carpenter, California; John Beaman and Bob Bleadon, Oregon; Roy Beisswenger, Illinois; Eric Johnson, Arizona; and Larry Littlefield and Romke Sikkema, Florida. The Light Sport Aviation Branch plans to have the examiners' contact information posted on its Web site by Friday, January 28.

The Light Sport Standardization Board is meeting this week to evaluate candidates for its next sport pilot examiner initial course, set for March 21 in Sebring, Florida. After completing the course, examiners must participate in periodic recurrent training.

(January 26, 2005)

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FAA ready for first sport pilot examiner course

Private pilot PTS for weight-shift control and powered parachutes available

Participants in the first sport pilot examiner initial course now have something to fly. The FAA's Light Sport Aviation Branch certified five aircraft as Experimental Light Sport Aircraft (ELSA) so that the pilots would be able to complete training. This came just in time for the course, January 17 through 22, in Sebring, Florida.

The FAA certified a MaxAir Drifter ultralight, two Air Creation weight-shift control, and two Powrachute Pegasus aircraft for the course. The agency needed to certify the specific aircraft it planned to use in the course as ELSA in order to satisfy regulations.

As the FAA completes the final stages of making sport pilot fully functional, it also is moving forward with another, less known, pilot certification category that it created during the sport pilot initiative.

The Sport Pilot and Light Sport Aircraft rule created two new aircraft categories for the private pilot certificate: weight-shift control and powered parachute. Last week, the FAA released the practical test standards (PTS) for each. Download the PTS on AOPA Online.

(January 18, 2005)

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FAA accepting industry-developed light-sport aircraft repair courses

The FAA's Light Sport Aviation Branch (AFS-610) is ready to accept industry-developed training courses for light-sport aircraft (LSA) repair. Anyone who wants to submit course materials must comply with the requirements outlined in FAA Order 8000.84.

The order specifies the length of the training courses, how the course should be divided into practical training and lectures, passing scores for students, and more.

(January 11, 2005)

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Sport Pilot PTS available online

The Sport Pilot Practical Test Standards (PTS) have just been released. Along with the procedures already in place for student sport pilot applications and the availability of knowledge test questions, the new standards provide key information that flight instructors need to train students.

"Flight instructors need to know to what standards to train their students for the sport pilot certificate," said Rob Hackman, manager of AOPA's regulatory and certification policy. "Now that the practical test standards are available online, they can easily and quickly refer to them at any time."

The practical test standards for sport pilot airplane, gyroplane, glider, airship, balloon, weight shift control, powered parachute, and flight instructor are available online on this page and from the FAA. These documents could be updated and corrected as the sport pilot program progresses. The private pilot weight shift control and powered parachute PTS should be available to the public sometime in January.

Now that the practical test standards for the sport pilot certificate are out, the FAA is preparing its designated pilot examiners. The first class, composed of eight individuals, will complete the sport pilot examiner initial course January 17 through 22.

"Sport pilot is moving toward full implementation, and updates to the program are coming almost weekly," Hackman said. "AOPA's sport pilot page is the best resource to use to stay current with the latest information. And the technical specialists in AOPA's Pilot Information Center (800/USA-AOPA) are prepared to answer any sport pilot questions."

(December 29, 2004)

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Light sport aircraft airworthiness designee instructions now available

The FAA released procedures for the selection, training, and appointment of its light-sport aircraft designated airworthiness representatives (LSA DAR). LSA DARs are needed to issue airworthiness certificates for the new aircraft being manufactured in the Experimental and Special Light-Sport Aircraft categories. The FAA offered a LSA DAR prototype qualification course from December 14 through 16 and will schedule training courses for 2005.

In a related action, AOPA expects an announcement very soon of a notice of availability of LSA international ASTM Standards by the FAA. The notice of availability of the ASTM Standards and the appointment of LSA DARs will allow manufacturers to begin the process of producing and delivering new light sport aircraft. Industry representatives, including AOPA and other associations and manufacturers of fixed-wing, powered parachute, weight-shift, gyroplane, sailplane, and glider aircraft, as well as the FAA worked together to draft the standards for this category of aircraft.

These standards are the first to be developed by a nongovernmental agency for the recreational aviation industry. ASTM International, formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials, is a voluntary standards development organization.

(December 17, 2004)

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Interim procedures for student sport pilot applications

The FAA began accepting applications for student sport pilot certificates this week, but there is one small problem — they don't have the application form yet, nor is the policy on issuing certificates ready for FAA safety inspectors or designated pilot examiners (DPEs).

So the FAA is working around it. Student sport pilots should complete FAA Form 8710-1 (there's a copy on AOPA's Flight Training Web site). Check the "other" box at the top and write in "sport pilot."

Inspectors and DPEs should follow the guidance for issuing a student pilot certificate from the appropriate chapter in either FAA Order 8700.1 or 8710.3. They also should brief the student on the limits of a sport pilot student as defined in 14 CFR 61.89(c).

The FAA now anticipates that the new Sport Pilot Airman Application (FAA Form 8710-11) and appropriate endorsements will be available in January.

(November 19, 2004)

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Sport pilot knowledge test questions now available

AOPA has posted a bank of knowledge test questions for the sport pilot certificate. These include some (but not all) of the questions that could be asked on the sport pilot knowledge test. Questions can be viewed on AOPA Online in the Airmen Knowledge Test section, which also includes representative questions from all of the FAA's knowledge tests. The question bank is intended to help students prepare for the knowledge test and to help the aviation industry develop study materials.

Sample questions for the sport pilot flight instructor, sport pilot designated examiner, and private pilot — powered parachute or weight-shift aircraft knowledge tests also have been added to the question bank. (Yes, you can get a private certificate in a powered parachute/weight shift aircraft. Assuming the aircraft were properly equipped, you would be able to fly at night or in terminal airspace.)

Actual testing for the sport pilot certificate will begin December 1 at FAA-authorized centers. AOPA members can receive a $10 discount on any FAA knowledge test at CATS test centers.

The FAA is in the process of finalizing the sport pilot practical test standards and expects to have the PTS available early next month.

(November 15, 2004)

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FAA ready for light-sport examiner applications

Application forms available online

The FAA's Light Sport Aviation Branch (AFS-610) will convene the first Light Sport Standardization Selection Board (LSSB) on November 29. Anyone interested in becoming a sport pilot examiner (SPE) or sport pilot flight instructor examiner (SFIE) should submit their application to the FAA no later than November 23, 2004.

Applicants need to submit an FAA Application Form 8710-12.

The FAA has tentatively set the first SPE/SFIE seminar for mid-January 2005.

(November 5, 2004)

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Sport pilot program moves forward

The FAA continues to move forward in developing the necessary support for light sport aviation. The agency recently released two documents that provide the infrastructure for approving light sport aircraft repairman courses.

Meanwhile, the FAA will begin accepting student sport pilot applications on January 15.

(October 14, 2004)

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FAA slips date for sport pilot student applications

The FAA has pushed back the date that it will start accepting sport pilot student applications. Originally slated for November 15, the new date will now be January 15, 2005, to give the FAA's Oklahoma offices time to gear up to process the new forms.  More on sport pilot >>

(September 30, 2004)

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Sport pilot timeline set

It's down to the nitty-gritty for the Sport Pilot and Light Sport Aircraft rule. As the FAA and the industry work on testing standards and other details that will be needed to implement the regulations, AOPA is arguing for a standard that ensures sport pilots have the appropriate knowledge to operate safely in the aviation system.

"Sport pilots will be able to use many existing general aviation airports," said Rob Hackman, AOPA manager of Regulatory and Certification Policy. "We need to be sure that they know how to operate in that environment and to fit in with the flow of other GA traffic."

Hackman represented AOPA in early September as the FAA and industry representatives met in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to review and discuss sport pilot practical test standards, knowledge test questions, and designated pilot examiners and airworthiness representatives.

During the course of the weeklong meetings, the FAA laid out its timetable for rolling out key components of the Sport Pilot and Light Sport Aircraft initiative.

The sport pilot practical test standards (PTS) were scheduled to be available in September, to be followed by the aeronautical knowledge test by October 20.

During last week's meeting, AOPA advocated for test standards that will ensure sport pilots have the knowledge to operate safely within current airspace and airport system. The FAA agreed.

The group also reviewed the knowledge test questions for sport pilots. Many of the questions will be taken from existing private pilot questions. The ultralight community will provide its test questions to the FAA for possible inclusion in the sport pilot knowledge test.

The FAA will start accepting sport pilot student applications on November 15. The application will be made on a new FAA Form 8710-11 that will be submitted to the local flight standards district office (FSDO) or to a designated pilot examiner.

The new form is needed because sport pilots aren't required to carry a medical certificate. (The existing student pilot certificate for people training for a recreational or private pilot certificate is also a medical certificate.)

The first sport pilot examiners will likely be designated by January and the first new sport pilot certificates issued shortly thereafter.

(Update: October 1, 2004)

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Sport Pilot begins — Fly with 'driver's license medical'

The first phase of the Sport Pilot rule took effect September 1. What that means is that if you have a recreational pilot certificate or higher, and a current biennial flight review, you can fly a light sport aircraft without a medical certificate — provided you have a valid state driver's license and you haven't been denied a medical certificate.

AOPA is "Sport Pilot Ready" and has all of the information you'll need to take advantage of the new Sport Pilot and Light Sport Aircraft rules.

"AOPA's emphasis as the Sport Pilot rule was being developed was on the 'driver's license medical,' because that has the greatest benefit for most of our members," said Andy Cebula, senior vice president of Government and Technical Affairs. "And our continued advocacy will be to extend that benefit to as many pilots as possible." More on the Sport Pilot rule >>

Photo: A Taylorcraft BC12-D, an example of a light-sport aircraft.

(September 1, 2004)

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AOPA meets with FAA to work toward resolution of sport pilot medical Catch-22

AOPA staff attending AirVenture in Oshkosh today met with FAA officials responsible for the sport pilot rule to work toward a resolution of the medical "Catch-22." Both in questions to AOPA's Pilot Information Center and at various forums at EAA's AirVenture, pilots have expressed disappointment that if they've been denied a medical in the past, they can't use a driver's license in lieu of a medical to exercise sport pilot privileges. However, a pilot with a similar medical condition who has never applied for a medical, can.

"AOPA, along with EAA and other groups, is continuing the dialogue with FAA to find a way to get back to the original intent of sport pilot," said Andy Cebula, AOPA senior vice president of Government and Technical Affairs. "If you're healthy enough to hold a driver's license and you have no current medical condition that would make you unsafe to fly a light-sport aircraft, you should be able to exercise sport pilot privileges."

(July 30, 2004)

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Members turn to AOPA for sport pilot answers

AOPA members are turning to their association for answers about the new Sport Pilot and Light-Sport Aircraft initiative. Either by a toll-free telephone call (800/USA-AOPA) or e-mail, pilots are getting the particulars on how sport pilot affects them from the specialists in AOPA's Pilot Information Center.

"Members generally want to know one of two things," said Woody Cahall, AOPA vice president of Aviation Services. "What can I fly, and what can I do if I've been denied a medical certificate?"

Many members are pleased by the range of vintage certificated aircraft that are immediately flyable under the new rules. "I thought it was mostly ultralight stuff," said one member. In fact, eligible light-sport aircraft (LSA) include old friends like the J-3 Cub, Aeronca 7AC, Taylorcraft BC, and Ercoupe 415. (See AOPA's LSA Spotter's Guide and list of currently certificated LSA.

But more than half of the callers are upset about the Catch-22 in the rule that would have otherwise allowed a certificated pilot to fly under sport pilot rules with a driver's license in lieu of a medical certificate and a self-certification that they are medically fit to fly. More on Sport Pilot >>

Photo: Aircraft like the Aeronca 7AC qualify as light sport aircraft.

(July 28, 2004)

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New Sport Pilot rule announced; AOPA is ready to answer your questions

FAA Administrator Marion Blakey July 20 officially unveiled the long-awaited Sport Pilot and Light Sport Aircraft rule [requires Adobe Reader] that will allow many pilots to fly with a valid driver's license in lieu of a medical certificate and create new, less-expensive ways to become a pilot.

From the beginning of this nine-year process, AOPA pushed hard for a driver's license medical standard that would allow already-certificated pilots to fly light sport aircraft immediately — and many of the provisions that AOPA sought have been included in the final rule [see the FAA's sport pilot medical Q&A]. Beginning September 1, pilots who qualify will be able to act as light sport pilots using a driver's license.

"It was important to AOPA that our members who love and support general aviation, but no longer have a current medical, be able to fly again," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "That's why we asked the FAA to make the rule effective quickly, and they responded."

Pilots who hold a recreational certificate or better, but whose standard or special issuance medical certificate has lapsed, will be able to fly under sport pilot rules with a driver's license and with a self-certification that they are medically fit to fly. Pilots whose medical has been revoked, suspended, or denied will need further review by the FAA and could be required to obtain a special issuance.

Certificated pilots who hold a valid driver's license and whose medical has not been suspended or revoked will be able to fly many familiar certificated airplanes, including Piper J-2 and J-3 Cubs and models from Luscombe, Taylorcraft, and Ercoupe when the rule becomes effective September 1. More on the sport pilot rule >>

In photo: This J-3 Cub meets the criteria of the new Light Sport Aircraft. Beginning Sept. 1, certificated pilots will be able to fly aircraft like this one with a "driver's license medical" (see story for full details).

(July 20, 2004)

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For 83-year-old Duncan Miller, Sport Pilot will keep him flying low and slow

Out in the center of the California farmland between Sacramento and San Francisco sits Vacaville (that's Spanish for cow town). And at Vacaville's Nut Tree Airport (VCB), there's a man who loves aviation so much he has five hangars full of aircraft ranging from a J-3 Cub to a BT-13 Valiant to a Cessna 182 and C-47 being restored for a museum. Eighty-three-year-old Duncan Miller started flying during World War II, and he still loves to fly. Sport Pilot is going to keep him flying. More on Duncan Miller >>

In photo: 83-year-old Duncan Miller learned to fly during World War II. Today Sport Pilot will allow him to fly his beloved J-3 Cub even though he sports a pacemaker.

(July 20, 2004)

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OMB releases Sport Pilot rule back to FAA

The Office of Management and Budget has completed its review of the Sport Pilot and Light Sport Aircraft rule and returned it to the FAA for release and publication in the Federal Register. The use of a current and valid driver's license in lieu of a third-class medical to fly low-powered, lightweight aircraft like a J-3 Cub is a potential advantage of this rule. Exactly how this will be implemented — and how many pilots would be affected — is not clear at this moment. "With all things governmental, the devil is in the details," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "AOPA's experts will be standing by to review the rule line by line so that we can give you definitive answers about what you can and cannot do." The FAA is expected to release the rule to the public in a press conference today.

(Update: July 20, 2004)

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Sport Pilot rule back to OMB

June 3, 2004 — The long-awaited Sport Pilot rule has passed a major milestone and has been resubmitted to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval. In March, the FAA temporarily withdrew the proposed rule so that the agency could address questions about the economic cost/benefits raised during the OMB review.

"The driver's license medical standard remains the single greatest benefit for AOPA members in this proposed rule," said AOPA Senior Vice President of Government and Technical Affairs Andy Cebula. "It means that pilots who are otherwise healthy but unable to obtain an FAA medical certificate will be able to continue flying." More >>

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Sport Pilot rule makes U-turn in rulemaking process, now back at FAA

Mar. 25, 2004 — The FAA has temporarily withdrawn the proposed Sport Pilot rule from consideration by the federal Office of Management and Budget. Just before a 90-day review period expired, FAA Administrator Marion Blakey ordered the proposal withdrawn so that the agency could answer questions about the economic cost/benefits of the pending rule raised during the OMB review.

The White House, through OMB, evaluates all proposed and pending final rules, examining the cost and benefits of regulatory agency actions. Their review is essentially the final step in the Sport Pilot/Light Sport Aircraft approval process.

AOPA has been advocating on behalf of the Sport Pilot rule in large part because of the proposal's recognition that a driver's license is adequate evidence of medical fitness to fly. In accordance with FAR 61.53, pilots must continually self-certify their medical fitness and must ground themselves if they know or have reason to know of any medical condition that would make them unable to meet the medical requirements.

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Sport Pilot rule within 90 days of final action

Dec. 29, 2003 — Over the holidays, the FAA sent the proposed rule to establish the Sport Pilot certificate to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) — the last step before the FAA can issue the rule. Within 90 days, OMB has to rule whether or not the new rule has any negative economic impacts.

"The single greatest benefit for AOPA members in this proposed rule is the driver's license medical requirement," said AOPA Senior Vice President of Government and Technical Affairs Andy Cebula. "It means that pilots who are otherwise healthy but unable to obtain an FAA medical certificate will be able to continue flying."

Updated Thursday, June 29, 2006 2:12:27 PM