Light Sport Certified: FAA, Aviation, Sport Pilots, Light Sport Aircraft And Airplanes

Pilots may be flying their old aircraft under a new category. The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) has created a new category of aircraft known as light sport aircraft. According to the FAA, a light sport aircraft is any aircraft that is simple and low in performance and energy. Specifically, to be classified as a light sport, an aircraft must weigh no more than 1,320 lbs., have a maximum stall speed of 45 knots, and a maximum top speed of 120 knots. The aircraft must also have fixed landing gear, fixed pitch propeller, and a single reciprocating engine. In other words, a jet wouldn't be classified as light sport certified aircraft.

The following aircraft are light sport certified: gyroplanes, lighter-than-air craft, powered parachutes, weight-shift control aircrafts, and airplanes. Some aircraft that are not light sport certified aircraft (but often mistaken as such) are hang gliders, helicopters, multi engine aircraft, paragliders, and complex aircraft that have an in-flight re-positionable pitched propeller or retractable gear.

Before being flown, all light sport airplanes and aircraft must fall under the FAA guidelines and become light sport certified. Aircraft can be light sport certified in 2 ways. The first way is to meet the previously listed requirements for light sport classification, and to also meet the FAA's airworthiness requirements. The second way to be light sport certified concerns new kits and aircraft that don't meet the requirements for ultralight aircraft, or more specifically the part 103 requirements of the Federal Aviations Regulations. Both new kits and aircraft that exceed ultralight aircraft regulations can obtain a New Experimental Light Sport Aircraft airworthiness certificate. Although somewhat confusing, becoming light sport certified is an important step before flying any light sport airplanes or aircraft.

In addition to having their aircraft light sport certified, the pilot must have at least a sport pilot certificate in order to fly their light sport certified aircraft. Sport pilots are only allowed to fly certain aircraft with their certificate. These aircraft include 2-place trainers, light sport certified airplanes, experimental light sport certified aircraft, fat ultralights, kit-built light sport certified aircraft, and new light sport certified (ready to fly) aircraft .

Becoming a sport pilot is actually a relatively affordable and easy endeavor for dedicated enthusiasts. One way is through EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association). After joining EAA and paying $40/yr dues (an optional step), students can begin logging the required 20 hours. The 20 pilot training hours are spent a few different ways. Some of the time will be spent with an instructor, some hours will be spent flying cross-country, and the rest of the hours are spent flying solo. These 20 hours can be broken into a few large chunks of time or spread over many weeks depending on the student and instructor.

Airplane flight training costs between $2,800 and $3,500, and the price difference depends on the type of plane being used. Upon receiving their sport pilot certificate, sport pilots are able to fly any of the aircraft listed above, including light sport certified aircraft. However, sport pilots are required to follow some regulations that have been laid out by the FAA before they can cruise the sky. For example, they can only fly during daylight. Also, they must be at least 17 years old and have either a U.S. driver's license or a FAA airman's medical certificate. Reading, writing, and understanding English is another requirement of sport pilots.

Light sport airplanes and aircraft may not be groundbreaking aviation, but it is important that they be light sport certified and flown by a responsible and certified sport pilot. The FAA's strict guidelines and categories are designed to ensure every aircraft is flown through our skies as safely as possible.


Sources:
Light Sport Aircraft. UltraLight Flying Magazine.2005. 12 June 2007. http://www.lightsportaircraft.com/lsa.html.
What You Need To Know. Light-Sport Aircraft. 2005. 12 June 2007. http://www.lightsportaircraft.com/qanda/html.
"Light-Sport aircraft." Wikipedia. 6 April 2007. 12 June 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/light-sport_aircraft< br />How Much Will it Cost to Learn to Fly? EAA. 2007. 12 June 2007. http://www.sportpilot.org/newpilot/how_much.htmlHow Long Will it Take to Get My Pilot Certificate? EAA. 2007. 12 June 2007. http://www.sportpilot.org/newpilot/how_long.htmlSports Pilots and Flight Instructors. LightSportAircraft.com. 2005. UltraLight Flying Magazine. 23 June 2007. http://www.lightsportaircraft.com/sportpilots.html