FAA Approves Sport Pilot License

steveha writes "The FAA has just approved regulations creating a new class of pilot's license. (FAA press release here). The Sport Pilot license allows you to fly Light-Sport planes. It is much, much easier to get than a normal pilot's license; for example, you don't need to get a medical exam, and the training requirements are minimal." Read this overview, as well as some more details below.

"Light-Sport airplanes will be limited in size and power: maximum weight 1,320 pounds, maximum two seats, maximum airspeed 120 knots, single non-turbine engine, fixed landing gear. If it's a Light-Sport, it should be one of the easiest planes to fly."

This has the potential to dramatically increase the number of people owning and flying planes. Not only is it easier for a person to become a Sport Pilot, it is easier and cheaper for a company to sell a Light-Sport airplane. (For years, people have been building "kit" airplanes just so they will fall under the looser "homebuilt" rules. Now, there will be no need to build a plane unless you actually want to do so.) Several airplane companies have promised to produce Light-Sport planes that will cost no more than a luxury car."

Comments

Good overview

[essaunders]

Another good overview can be found at http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?ContentBlockID= 65261609-3814-42c0-979d-a77f9b8c10f8& This new category bridges the gap between the relatively uncontrolled (US) ultralights and the standard airplane. If I understand correctly (correct me If I'm wrong), it may allow European 'ultralights' (which can be larger than their US cousins) to be flown in the US without meeting all the standard airplane rules.

Re:Is this good or bad?

[Anonymous Coward]

The FAA is not replacing the Ultralight rules with this; single seat Ultralights under 550 pounds are still OK to fly under the existing rules. This allows use of TWO seat 'ultralight trainers', which were not really legal under the Ultralight rules, except for flight training.

Many people were flying these as if they were in the Ultralight category when they were really not.

Re:Actually a removal of priveleges?

[vlm]

Not even close.

Ultralight limited to 55 mph vs this class at 120

Ultralight limited to 254 lbs dry weight vs this class at over 1200 lbs

Ultralights are pretty much toy looking, whereas these are "real" small aircraft.

The difference in size and performance is roughly the same ratio as Yugo vs Ford Exploder.