• How do I get permission to take the written test?
• 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?
Frequently Asked Questions about Light Sport Aircraft
• What's the difference between an ultralight and a Light Sport Aircraft?
• 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?
You will need an endorsement from a CFI saying you are ready to take the written test.
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.
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). You would receive enough training for the CFI to recommend you to take a proficiency check from a qualified checker outer.
What's the difference between an ultralight and a Light Sport Aircraft?
An ultralight is a single seat vehicle that weighs less than 254 lbs, carries no more than 5 gallons of fuel and conforms to the other requirements of Part 103. No license is needed to fly an ultralight.
A Light Sport Aircraft can have a take off weight of up to 1320 lbs, has no restrictions on fuel quantity, can take one passenger and requires a pilot certificate to fly.
What is an ELSA vs a SLSA?
An ELSA is an Experimental Light Sport Aircraft. It can be an airplane, weight shift control, or a powered parachute. 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).
The Special Light Sport Aircraft (SLSA) is an aircraft built to ASTM specifications. Built by the manufacturer and test flown before you buy it. SLSAs can be used for instruction and in rental fleets. In many cases, ELSAs and SLSAs are identical aircraft, just with different paperwork. SLSAs probably hold their value longer due to more stringent maintenance requirements.
Who can perform maintenance on an ELSA?
No rating is required to perform maintenance on (E-LSA). You, as the owner/operator can do your own maintenance. Bubba, Charlie, and your chimpanzee can also do maintenance for you. However, the owner operator is responsible for maintaining the aircraft in an airworthy condition. Also, the pilot-in-command is responsible for making sure the aircraft is in a condition for safe flight (before each flight).
What other maintenance issues are there with my ELSA?
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.
Can I keep training in my E-LSA?
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.
Will airworthiness directives (ADs) be issued for light sport aircraft?
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. No restrictions for ELSA.