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Learn To Fly Small Planes - Sport Pilot
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| Sport Pilot License |
A
pilot's license is similar to a driver's license that is issued
to you by your state government.
The main difference is that the federal government governs
pilot privileges and requires specific flight experience,
a knowledge (written) test, and a practical (flight) test
to earn a pilot's license (called a certificate).
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the agency that
will issue you your pilot's license, is within the U.S. Department
of Transportation.
Flying an airplane is more complex than driving a car because
you are controlling altitude (up and down) in addition to
left-right movement. It is also more exhilarating because
you have the freedom of three-dimensional movement, greater
speed, and unbelievable panoramas. Flying provides lifelong
satisfaction and pride.
Learning to fly and earning your pilot certificate is fun.
Begin today! |
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Federal Aviation Administration |
The Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) has just recently approved something known
as the Sport Pilot rule, which allows you to now obtain
a sport pilot license in lieu of a private pilot license.
The sport pilot rule:
· Creates a new student sport pilot certificate
· 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 providing the ultralight pilot
transitions to a sport pilot certificate by 31 January 2007.
· 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's most recent
application for an FAA medical certificate was not denied,
revoked, suspended or withdrawn).
· Does not allow carrying passengers for compensation
or hire
· Does not allow flights in furtherance of business
· Allows sharing (“pro-rata”) operating
expenses with another pilot.
· Allows daytime flight only.
· Allow sport pilots to fly vintage and production
aircraft (standard airworthiness certificate) that meet
the definition of a light-sport aircraft.
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| What's
so good about this rule and why might you consider pursuing
the former? Let's find out, check out the UPSIDE.
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| The Upside |
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First,
a sport pilot license doesn't require that you have an
FAA issued third-class medical certificate.It
only requires that you have a valid U.S.drivers license
without having an official denial or revocation of an
FAA medical certificate on file with the FAA. This means
if you have a drivers license then the FAA considers you
medically qualified to fly as a sport pilot in a sport
airplane. |
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Second, the sport pilot license requires
only 20 hours of flight time in preparation for your license
compared to 40 hours minimum preparation for a private
pilot certificate. This means you'll meet the sport pilot
license requirement with as little as 15 hours of dual
instruction from a certified flight instructor and five
hours solo flight time. While a written (knowledge) test
and a practical flight test are still required for the
sport license, there's no doubt that you'll dramatically
reduce the cost of learning to fly, perhaps as much as
60% as compared to that for private pilot licensing. |
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As a sport pilot
you're limited to flying a single- or two-place light
sport aircraft during daylight hours and you can't ever
carry more than one passenger.
There are other limitations but these are the most relevant
ones. Now, this isn't necessarily a big downside. As a
general rule, most folks only fly with one person at a
time anyway. And while flying at night is an aesthetic
experience, you'd be surprised how little night flying
most pilots really do. Nevertheless, these are limitations
to be considered. |
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| What planes can I fly?
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The
following are six categories of light sport aircraft (LSA):
airplane, glider, rotocraft lighter-than-air (balloon
or airship), powered parachute and weight shift control.
In the airplane category of light sport aircraft (the
one I'm assuming that you're interested in flying), the
airplane must weigh less than 1,320 pounds and have a
top speed of no more than 120 knots (138 mph).
It can have no more than two seats and fixed landing gear
(meaning that the gear isn't broken, but that it can't
be retracted in flight for less drag, which means more
speed).
There are other requirements but these are the important
ones. |
| The Sport
Pilot rule: |
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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.
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In just two years, the
sport pilot/light-sport aircraft community has grown to
be a significant and promising part of the general aviation
picture. The past year, in particular, showed the potential
within this new area of recreational flight.
Over more than a decade of direct involvement and leadership
on the rule, EAA sees the two-year anniversary of what’s
commonly known as the “sport pilot rule” as
a point of celebration and renewed motivation to continue
building access for those who wish to participate.
“ The past year was a remarkable one in terms
of the sport pilot/light-sport aircraft community’s
growth,” said Earl Lawrence, EAA’s vice president
of industry and regulatory affairs, who also chairs the
ASTM International committee that created the consensus
standards for light-sport aircraft.
EAA’s annual review regarding sport pilot/light-sport
aircraft comes as interest in this new area of flying
has met and surpassed the anticipated levels.
“ The number of new, ready-to-fly airplanes available
to sport pilots has blossomed in the past year,”
Lawrence said. “There are more instructors, more
training facilities and more opportunities than expected
after two years under the new rule. Although much work
remains to be done in a number of fronts, sport pilot
offers a way to increase current participation in aviation.
Even more importantly, it creates an entryway for those
interested in outdoor recreation to consider aviation
as a safe, affordable, fun and fulfilling pursuit.”
On numerous occasions, FAA Administrator Marion Blakey
has specifically praised EAA for its work in developing
the sport pilot/light-sport aircraft community as a way
to build interest in recreational aviation. Administrator
Blakey remains a staunch supporter of this rule and its
potential to create more flying opportunities nationwide. |
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| 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)
· Rotorcraft (gyroplane
only)
· Powered Parachute
· Weight-Shift
control aircraft(e.g. Trikes) |
| What
are the basic "qualifications" for getting a
pilots license? |
The fundamental qualifications
for becoming a sport pilot are quite simple.
Remember, the main idea behind the sport pilot movement
is to open up the exciting world of recreational aviation
to many more enthusiasts.
We love aviation and want to share that joy with you and
many others!
Accordingly, the qualifications are modest:
·
At least 17 years of age
· Valid state driver's
license
· Proficient in the English language
· Be able to affirm general good health and
not using substances or medications that impede judgment,
cognition, or motor skills
That's it!
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| Why
learn to fly? |
| Escape |
Escape from the two dimensional
world. Flying takes you to a different world with new
perspectives. Suddenly, distances shrink and your perspectives
change. You start thinking of your world from above. Your
senses are in tune to the world of flight, no longer limited
by your cares, concerns and duties on the ground. Become
a pilot and escape to a different world. |
| Explore |
Explore new places. Learning to fly
frees you to explore the world – from 50 miles to
500 miles. The distance is your decision. Become a pilot
and expand your horizons. |
| Experience |
Experience a feeling of freedom, and
accomplishment. Learning to fly will transform your life.
It immerses you in new sensations and allows you to conquer
exciting challenges. It changes how you perceive yourself
and what you know you can accomplish. Become a pilot and
transform yourself. |
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How to Become a Sport
Pilot
If a Registered Ultralight Pilot
On or Before September 01, 2004
1. Meet Medical and Eligibility
2. On or Before January 31, 2007 - Credit for Aeronautical
Knowledge, Proficiency, and Experience Requirements
3. Provide a Certified Copy of Records From An FAA Recognized
Ultralight Organization (List Specific Category and Classes
Seeking)
4. Pass an FAA Sport Pilot Knowledge Test
5. Pass an FAA Sport Pilot Practical Test
6. Sport Pilot Certificate Issued (All Category and Class
Privileges Endorsed in Logbook)
If you are a Registered Ultralight Instructor
On or Before September 1, 2004
1. Hold at Least a Sport Pilot Certificate
2. On or Before January 31, 2008, Meet Aeronautical Experience-Minimum
Total Flight Time Only
3. Provide a Certified Copy of Records From An FAA Recognized
Ultralight Organization (List All Category and Class Seeking)
4. Provide a Certified Copy F.O.I. Knowledge Test
5. Pass an FAA Sport Pilot CFI Knowledge Test
6. Pass an FAA Sport Pilot CFI Practical Test (All Category
and Class Privileges Endorsed in Logbook)
7. CFI Certificate with Sport Pilot Rating Issued
MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR
SPORT PILOT
(14 CFR part 61.23/53/303)
A Medical or U.S. Driver’s License
(Other Than Balloon or Glider)
• A Student Pilot Seeking Sport
Pilot Privileges in a Light-sport Aircraft
• A Pilot Exercising the Privileges of a Sport Pilot
Certificate
• A Flight Instructor Acting As PIC of a Light-sport
Aircraft
A Person Using a Current
and Valid U.S. Driver’s License Must
• Comply With Each Restriction and Limitation Imposed
on Your Drivers License
• Comply With Any Judicial or Administrative Order Applying
To The Operation of a Motor Vehicle
• Not Have Been Denied Your Most Recent Application
For A Medical Certificate (If You Have Applied for Medical
Certificate)
• Not Have Your Most Recently Issued Medical Certificate
Suspended or Revoked (If You Have Been Issued A Medical Certificate)
• Not Had Your Most Recent Authorization for a Special
Issuance of a Medical Certificate Withdrawn (A Special Issuance
Is Not A Denial)
A Person Using a Valid Medical or Current and Valid U.S.
Driver’s License Must
• Not know or have reason to know of any medical condition
that would make that person unable to operate a light-sport
aircraft in a safe manner
Once
I’ve learned to fly, where can I fly?
Once you've achieved your sport
pilot certificate, you'll likely find yourself exploiting
every possible opportunity to get out and FLY!
You might plan an ambitious coast-to-coast trip, hopping
your way across the country through clear-weather routes.
Maybe you'll fly away with a friend for a weekend getaway
or spend a few hours practicing at the local airport.
Or maybe you’ll take in scenic vistas from above.
Whatever the plan -- however simple or grandiose --
it will center on enjoying the world from a different
perspective, and feeling the exhilaration, freedom,
and satisfaction of flying an aircraft yourself.
With a Sport Pilot's license, your recreational flying
itinerary is sky-wide open. You can go where you want,
when you want, at more then twice the speed of an automobile.
Zoom around a spell. Create your own shortcut. Get the
heck out of Dodge. Imagine taking friends and family
on trips; skiing, surfing, golfing, shopping. Imagine
taking off after work for dinner two states away.
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What
are the Sport Pilot Privileges:
· Operate as pilot in command of a sport pilot
eligible aircraft
· Carry a passenger and
share expenses (fuel, oil, airport expenses, and aircraft
rental);
· Fly during the daytime using visual
flight rules (VFR). Three statute miles visibility and
visual contact with the ground are required.
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Cross-country flying anywhere in the U.S.
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Fly up to 10,000 feet above mean sea level (MSL).
· Fly solo or with one passenger.
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Share operating expenses with another person.
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Fly in Class E and G airspace (and B, C, and D airspace
with appropriate training).
· Allows sport
pilots to fly production (standard airworthiness certificate)
and experimental amateur-built aircraft that meet the
definition of a light-sport aircraft.
· Allows
rental of special light-sport aircraft (S-LSA).
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