So you want to know about Sport Pilot !!
I've now been through the process so can offer the simplest means of getting there.
First, most of you are all ready BFI before September 05. E-mail ASC or EAA whichever you belong to and ask for your certified letter. Do not lose this as it is a certified letter embossed and you will need it to present to the SP examiner ( DPE ).
2. Order from ASA and Paul Hamilton below the products that will help you study.
The ASA Sport Pilot Study guide for the written test is great. Software for you computer that allows you to answer all the questions that are currently available and will be on the written test. Study this until you can take the sample test and pass everytime. Do that and you are all set for the written.
The ASA Practical Standards book is cheap and explains every flying move you will be asked to do. Tells you what is expected of you in flight, how high or low you can be, and tells you the limitations that you cannot exceed.
3. Call and make your appointment for the written test. You can call Lasergrade to do this, number at bottom of page. You are allowed two hours to take the computer test. Most I have talked to take it in about 25 minutes.
4. Now it's time to study for the oral and flight review. Use Paul Hamilton's Check Ride book which prepares you for the oral part of the test. It ask all the questions that a DPE will ask of you and tells you the answer they are looking for. Go over and over the questions so you can answer most. Then sit down with a pilot friend that knows charts. Understand what most of the stuff means in the legend of the chart. Know your different air spaces.
Get out with your PPC and practice the moves that are in the Practical Standards book. Call your DPE and set up an appointment.
5. Almost there. Now you have passed the written, oral, and flight review. You are holding your Sport Pilot's licence.
Call or e-mail the FAA and reserve a N number. Call or order online from EAA the Ultra-light transition kit. This kit gives you all the forms and stickers you will need to pass the Airworthy Inspection.
Once you are set there, call the Portland FAA office and set up a time for an airworthy inspection exam. They will look over your plane and once passed, you are done. Do not activate your N number until you have passed the written and flight review. Only a Sport Pilot can fly a N numbered PPC.
Well nobody said this was going to be easy. However once you go through all the hoops you will be better qualified to fly, will have more privileges than under the part 103 exemption, and there will be many more models of light sport aircraft to choose from.
Overall this rule should help more people get into aviation at a reasonable cost.
Below is a Synopsis of the Sport Pilot / Light Sport Aircraft Rule :
Sport Pilots
Must be 16 to become a student sport pilot
Must be 17 to test for a sport pilot certificate
Must be able to read, write, and understand English
Must hold a current airman medical or a current and valid US drivers license. ( Airman medical cannot be denied or revoked)
Must pass an FAA sport pilot knowledge written test
Must pass an FAA sport pilot practical flight test
Minimum required training time for Sport Pilots
Airplane 20 hours
Powered Parachute 12 hours
Weight-shift control Trikes 20 hours
Glider 10 hours
Rotocraft 20 hours
Restrictions for Sport Pilots
No flights into class B, C, or D airspace unless you receive training and logbook endorsement
No flights outside the US without advance permission from that country
No sightseeing flights with passengers for charity fundraiser's
No flights about 10,000 feet MSL
Daytime flight only
No flights when the flight or surface visibility is less than 3 statute miles
No flights unless you can see the surface of the earth for reference
No flights while carrying a passenger for compensation
Light Sport Aircraft
Maximum gross take off weight 1,320 lbs or 1,430 for seaplanes
Maximum stall speed of 51 MPH
Maximum speed in level flight with maximum continuous power is 138 MPH
Two place maximum is two
Single, non turbine engine only
Fixed or ground adjustable prop
Fixed landing gear except seaplanes can have re-positional landing gear
Can be sold ready to fly
Can be certificated as an experimental light sport aircraft if Kit built
Will have an FAA N number
Can be operated at night if equipped per FAR 91.209 and pilot holds a private pilot certificate &
third class medical.
ASA-TW-Sport-06 $49.95
