If you were registered with ASC, EAA or a similar organization as a pilot
or BFI before 9/1/2004 then you qualify to get a certified letter that will
allow you to take the written as well as the practical test.Sport Pilot - Getting Legal
By Gretchen Watson
Revised 3/24/2006
It’s time to accept the inevitable - Sport Pilot is here to stay. It’s not going away and is, without a miracle, not going to be extended. I, like the majority in our club, have been in a state of denial for more than two years now. I have pleaded my case to all those that would listen and to some who just didn’t care to hear anything I said. I have argued until I was blue in the face that the FAA needed to rethink their position on weight versus performance in determining a true single place ultralight. No matter what I said or how loud I shouted it, however, the FAA is having it their way. I don’t like that fact but unfortunately I must deal with it or quit.
At first, the whole process of becoming a legal sport pilot, and getting my airplane legal as well, seemed so very confusing and overwhelming. But once one understands, step by step, what is needed to be accomplished and the time frames that these steps need completed by, it isn’t quite so intimidating. I will attempt to lay it all out in two simple outlines - one pertaining to the Sport Pilot’s License and the other for getting your airplane legal as an ELSA.
Preparing For and Completing the Written and Practical Examinations
1. Get an Endorsement to take the FAA Written Knowledge Exam.
If you were registered with ASC, EAA or a similar organization as a pilot
or BFI before 9/1/2004 then you qualify to get a certified letter that will
allow you to take the written as well as the practical test.
If you did not register as a pilot before 9/1/2004:
Ø Go ahead and register as a pilot with ASC. You will receive a letter that will allow you to log your future ultralight and exempt vehicle time towards Sport Pilot. The following are the minimums when it comes to required flight experience to be a sport pilot:
· Airplane: 20 hours total, 75 mile solo cross country
· Weight shift (trike): 20 hours total, 50 miles solo cross
· Powered parachute: 12 hours total, 10 mile solo cross country
· Glider: 10 hours total
· Gyroplane: 20 hours total, 50 mile solo cross country
Ø Spend at least 3 hours in training with a CFI to earn their endorsement to take the written and practical tests.
2. Take the Written Exam.
Obtain sport pilot study materials to help prepare for these tests.
Ø Gleim Sport Pilot Kit can be purchased at http://www.aircraftspruce.com at approximately $99.95.
Ø Doctor Dave’s FAAEzTest can be purchased at http://www.PilotShopUSA.com or by calling 800-729-7503 or 516-623-8823 at a price of $9.95 plus shipping and handling. Not as pretty but does the job.
Ø King Sport Pilot Course can be purchased at http://www.kingschools.com. The cost is anywhere from $139.00 to $179.00.
Ø Practice most of the test for free at http://exams4pilots.org. Many of the questions with associated figures are not shown. However, this is a very good site.
Ø Take this course on runway markings and procedures at http://flash.aopa.org/asf/runwaySafety/html/index/runwaySafety_expanding.htm. It is not mandatory but is very helpful and relevant.
Go to a Testing Facility such as the one at Mallory Airport.
Ø Make an appointment. If tested on a weekend, the results will not be known until the following week. If tested during the week, the results are known immediately.
Ø Take the testing fee, approximately $80.00, your driver’s picture ID and your Endorsement.
Ø The test consists of 40 questions with a 2 hour time limit.
3. Take the Practical Test.
Find an examiner for your aircraft and make an appointment.
Ø Airplane at:
Ø WeightShift at:
· http://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/airmen_certification/sport_pilot/media/wsc_examiner.pdf
Ø Powered Parachute at:
Taking the Practical Test.
Ø The FAA requires that all Sport Pilot Practical tests are to be conducted in accordance with the appropriate practical test standards and policies set forth in the PTS Book. Applicants will be evaluated in All Tasks included in each Area of Operation, unless otherwise noted. THEREFORE, get a copy of the PTS and study it:
· PTS for Airplane, GyroPlane, Glider, Flight Instructor: http://www.faa.gov/education_research/testing/airmen/test_standards/pilot/media/FAA-S-8081-29.pdf
· PTS for Weight Shift, Powered Parachute, Flight Instructor: http://www.faa.gov/education_research/testing/airmen/test_standards/pilot/media/FAA-S-8081-31.pdf
Ø Take your Endorsement, Written Test Results and Driver’s License ID as well as the fee which will be approximately $350.00 more or less.
Ø If the test is taken in a Single Place Unit, the instructor may view the Practical from the ground. However, the pilot will have a "single-seat" limitation on his certificate.
Ø Test in a two place and you will be then rated to fly a two place sport plane.
Ø The Practical Test:
· Demonstrate knowledge and skill in the Areas of Operation which are outlined in the Sport Pilot Practical Test Standards (PTS).
· Items outlined by the Instructor prior to the test in his/her Plan of Action.
· Will consist of an initial verbal questioning session which will last between 1 and 3 hours in length.
· The flight test which will be anywhere from 1 to 3 hours in length.
Ø If any portion of the test does not meet the minimum standards by which the instructor feels that you are competent in that given area, the test is over.
4. Dates and Deadlines Regarding Sport Pilot Licensing
September 1, 2004
Ø Deadline to be registered as a pilot in order to receive maximum credit for your experience.
Ø If you did not register as a pilot before 9/1/2004:
· Go ahead and register as a pilot with ASC. You will receive a letter that will allow you to log your future ultralight and exempt vehicle time towards Sport Pilot.
· Spend at least 3 hours in training with a CFI to earn their endorsement to take the written and practical tests.
January 31,
2007 - Our next critical deadline.
Ø Deadline for an ultralight pilot to take his sport pilot practical test if he/she wants to receive full credit for his ultralight flight time.
Editor’s Note:
The time for thinking is over. The time to begin preparing for Sport Pilot is now. In well less than one year, we must have taken and passed both examinations if we want to have our previous logged flight time work for us. Assuming you are registered as a Pilot before 9/1/2004.
For those who were not registered before 9/1/2004, you cannot afford to wait another day before registering with an organization such as ASC. You must then spend enough time in the air between now and 1/31/2007 to acquire the minimum amount of flight time needed for your particular aircraft. Remember, you will also need to find and spend time, 3 or more hours, with a CFI in order to earn an endorsement from him. Only after accomplishing all of this can you take the written examination.
There is precious little time to accomplish all of these tasks. Flying illegally after 1/31/2007 will be very risky and more than likely, very cost inefficient compared with trying to become legal. According to all published literature, fines will be very high.
For those who are still hoping that the FAA will up the weight limit on Part 103 airplanes, sorry about your luck. The FAA recently denied that request. Part 103 stands as is and must be complied with - 254 lbs. is still and always will be the weight limit.
A more comprehensive breakdown of the procedures can be viewed at the ASC website: http://www.aerosports.org/sport_pilot_summary.htm.
Preparing For and Completing Aircraft Registration and Inspection
1. Apply for an “N” Number
Get an original copy of AC 8050-1.
Ø Call the FAA at 866-762-9434 or 405-954-3131to order a copy.
Ø Go to Yeager Airport, 301 Eagle Mt. Road, Room 144, 304-343-4689 and request a copy.
Fill Out the Affidavit of Ownership Form OMB 2120-0690
Ø Get this form at:
http://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/aircraft_certification/aircraft_registry/media/8050-88a.pdf.
Send the two forms along with $5.00 to the FAA.
2. Aircraft Inspection
Contact a Designated Aircraft Representative (DAR).
Ø There are few DAR’s available. However, Jim Stephenson of ASC is a DAR for all LSA’s. Contact him at ASC or kimojim@aol.com.
Forms Needed from you by the DAR:
Ø Operating Fleet Experimental Light-Sport Aircraft Program Letter
· Get this form at: http://www.aerosports.org/Docs/ELSA%20Program%20Letterjs.pdf.
Ø Airworthiness Application Form:
· http://www.aerosports.org/Docs/faa8130-6d%20ELSA%20Only.pdf
Ø Weight and Balance Form.
· Get a sample of this form at: http://www.aerosports.org/Docs/Sample%20W&B%20ELSA.xls.
Get Your Aircraft Compliant:
Ø Much of the information regarding what is needed for making your aircraft LSA airworthy for inspection is located in the Light Sport Training materials that you purchased earlier during the Pilot Examination phase.
Ø Contact the DAR who can provide additional details needed to pass inspection.
The Inspection.
Ø Take your Aircraft Registration Number, Program Letter, Airworthiness Application and Weight & Balance Form as well as your aircraft to the DAR. The cost of the inspection is approximately $300.00 more or less.
Editor’s Note:
Everyone who has an existing airplane that does not qualify for Part 103 needs to get a registration number and have it inspected by January 31, 2008. That is the last day that an experimental light-sport airworthiness certificate will be issued to a "fat" ultralight or two-seat trainer. During a seminar on certifying ELSA’s at Sun-n-Fun last year, it was stated that after that date passes, if your plane has not yet passed inspection, it might as well be scrapped. You will not be able to fly it legally ever again.