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WHAT IS SPORT PILOT AND LIGHT SPORT AIRCRAFT?
Here are some general guidelines:
What is a Sport Pilot?
- You must be a minimum of 17 years of age. (16 for glider and balloon)
- You must be able to read, write, and understand the English language.
- All applicants must take a 40 question multiple choice test and score 70% or better.
- You must have a valid drivers license or an FAA medical.
- You must complete 20 hours of flight time. (15 hours with an instructor and 5 hours of solo time)
What is a Light Sport Aircraft?
The FAA has defined light sport aircraft as simple-to-operate, easy-to-fly aircraft that, since initial certification,
has continued to meet the following performance definition:
- Maximum gross weight of 1320 lbs.
- Maximum stall speed of 51 mph (45 knots)
- Two place maximum (pilot and one passenger)
- Fixed landing gear
- Fixed or ground adjustable propeller
- Day VFR (daylight civil twilight) flight only
- Fly up to 10,000 feet above mean sea level (MSL)
- Fly in class E and G airspace only (class B, C and D airspace with appropriate training)
- Cross country flying anywhere in the USA
In addition to fixed-wing airplanes, the definition of a light sport aircraft also includes powered parachutes, weight-shift control aircraft, balloon airplanes, gliders and gyroplanes.
Any aircraft that meets the definition of light sport aircraft as called out in FAR Part 1.1 is eligible to be operated by a Sport Pilot. These aircraft can be certified in any category , such as standard, experimental amateur-built, experimental exhibition, experimental light sport aircraft (E-LSA) or special light sport aircraft (S-LSA).
FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ON LIGHT SPORT AIRCRAFT AND BECOMING A SPORT PILOT VISIT
EAA’S EXCELLENT WEBSITE AT:www.sportpilot.org
