Basic Parameters of the Certification of Aircraft and Airmen for the Operation of Light-Sport Aircraft Rule
This following synopsis provided by:
This is a synopsis of the definition of a light-sport aircraft category, the requirements to obtain a sport pilot certificate, and requirements to obtain a repairman certificate with a maintenance or inspection rating. For more complete details, see EAA’s final analysis of the rule.
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
- Unpressurized 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)
- Rotorcraft (gyroplane only)
- Powered Parachute
- 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.