Frequently Asked Questions!
Frequently Asked Questions!
• Who can perform maintenance on my E-LSA?
• What other maintenance issues are there with my E-LSA?
• Can I keep training in my E-LSA?
• If I train in my E-LSA, can I still do the maintenance?
• Will airworthiness directives (ADs) be issued for light sport aircraft?
• How do I get permission to take the written test?
• What Study Materials are available for the written and/or practical tests?
• Where can I find these study materials?
• Is it true all you need is a driver's license instead of a medical?
• Do I have to renew my Sport Pilot certificate?
• Can I fly another type of LSA category once I have my PPC rating?
ANSWERS:
ANSWERS:
• January 31, 2008. Too late!! It was the deadline for an ultralight instructor to take the practical test for sport pilot instructor and still receive credit for previous ultralight instructing experience. The FAA issued ultralight training exemptions for FAA-recognized ultralight organizations allowing basic flight instructors (BFIs) to use two-seaters for training expired. The date by which you must have had your aircraft registered.
• January 31, 2010. Last date to have aircraft that were registered prior to Jan 31, 2008 inspected for airworthiness certificate.
• January 31, 2010. The last date you'll be able to train in or rent your E-LSA. After that, you'll need a S-LSA to train in or rent. Also - if your operating limitations allow you to instruct in your E-LSA, your Air Worthiness Certificate will expire on this date. Prior to this date, you'll need to get a new one issued.
What is an E-LSA?
An LSA is an Experimental LIGHT SPORT AIRCRAFT. It weighs less than 1320 lbs, flies slower than 120 kts, can be an airplane, weight shift control, or a Powered parachute. The Special Light Sport Aircraft is an aircraft built to ASTM specifications. Built by the manufacturer and test flown before you buy it. E-LSAs are based on an S-LSA but probably built by the owner/operator, not used for instruction nor hire (after Jan 31, 2010), and maintained in an condition for safe flight by the owner/operator. Existing E-LSAs are also grandfathered fat ultralights, (heavier than 254 pounds, OR carries 2 people OR holds more than 5 gallons of gas.
Who can perform maintenance on an E-LSA?
No rating is required to perform maintenance on (E-LSA). You, as the owner/operator can do your own maintenance. Bubba, Charlie, and Wanda can also do maintenance for you.
What other maintenance issues are there with my E-LSA?
It will require an Annual Condition Inspection every year. You can do this yourself if you take a 16 hour class for your category and type of aircraft (ppc, trike or fixed wing). If you elect NOT to take the class, then you'll need to find someone qualified to do the inspection, such as:
••• An appropriately rated A&P mechanic
••• An appropriately rated repair station.
••• A Light Sport Aircraft repairman with a maintenance rating; or
Yes, if you retain those limits in your operating limitations (which comes with your airworthiness cert. and are set by the FAA). The training operating limitation has an expiration date of January 31, 2010. This is so it won't create a hardship on instructors to have to rush out and buy a new S-LSA right now.
If I train in my E-LSA, can I still do the maintenance? Yes, but you will now need, in addition to the Annual, a 100 hour inspection. The 100 hour inspection can only be completed by:
••• An appropriately rated A&P mechanic
••• An appropriately rated repair station.
••• A Light Sport Aircraft repairman with a maintenance rating.
ADs will not be issued for LSA. However, mandatory service bulletins (SBs) (also SDs meaning Service Directives) will be issued for light sport aircraft. For SLSA, compliance with these bulletins is required. For ELSA, compliance is only recommended.
Do I need to obtain an STC (supplemental type certificate) if I want to install a different prop or add a new radio to my SLSA?
No. An STC is not required because SLSA do not have type certificate data sheets (TSDS). Any maintenance that leads to a modification of the original airplane equipment or avionics requires approval by the airplane manufacturer.
When I take my written Test, will I be familiar with all the questions, or will there be new questions I haven't seen before?
There will be new questions. The FAA only releases some of the questions. You should know the information well enough to answer all questions, don't just memorize the answers to the questions that you've studied.
How do I get permission to take the written test?
You will need an endorsement from a CFI saying you are ready to take the written test.
Is it true all you need is a driver's license instead of a medical?
Generally, sport pilots are allowed to use their state driver's license to establish medical fitness. They must also follow any restrictions or limitations listed on their driver's license. If you must use glasses in the car, then you must use them when you fly. In addition, every pilot must determine before each flight that he or she is medically fit to operate their aircraft in a safe manner. As a pilot, it is your responsibility to ensure that your current medical health in no way jeoparidizes the safety of a flight.
However, existing pilots who've had their FAA medical certificate denied, revoked or rejected by the FAA are not allowed to operate using their driver's license until they clear the denial from their airman record by having a third class medical certificate issued.
Do I have to renew my Sport Pilot certificate?
You do not have to renew your Sport Pilot Certificate but a biennial flight review (check flight with a CFI every 2 years) is required to keep your rating current. To be able to fly with a passenger on board you also have to perform three take offs and landings every ninety days as per 61.57.
Can I fly another type of LSA category once I have my PPC rating?
Once you have your sport pilot certificate you can add category and class ratings (endorsements) to your log book. This means if you are a PPC Sport Pilot your category is ‘Powered Parachute’ & the class would be ‘land’. If you wanted to fly a ‘fixed wing’ category in the ‘land’ class you would need a proficiency check (flight training for that aircraft) as per FAR 61.321. This would include aeronautical knowledge of the aircraft and it’s limitations & also meeting flight proficiency requirements (being able to take off, land, navigate etc).
Study Materials-The FAA develops and makes available to the public various sources of aeronautical information. Some of this information is free; other information is available at a nominal cost. Of particular interest and value to those persons getting started in flying are: FAA-H-8083-27A, Student Pilot Guide;
| .... | FAA-H-8083-3, Airplane Flying Handbook; FAA-H-8083-25, Pilot’s Practical Test Standards (PTSs). In addition, many aviation publications are available from commercial sources. Suggested Study Materials www.faasafety.gov |
Where can I find these study materials?
There is some good info on Wileywales.com. The books above are all available at the following websites:
| .... | http://www.ap-store.com/ http://www.asa2fly.com/category1.asp?SID=1&Category_ID=207& |
Rainbow Aviation Services
N 930 Marguerite Ave
Corning, Ca 96021
(530) 824-0644
Sport Aviation Specialties
2707 NW Cedar Brook
Lee’s Summit, MO 64081
(816) 838-6235
Rochester Institute of Technology
Department of Mechanical Engineering
James E. Gleason Building
76 Lomb Memorial Dr.
Rochester, NY 14623