Answers FAQ As January Deadline Approaches

The US Ultralight Association (USUS) says it's been receiving lots of phone calls and e-mails from people asking for clarification on the FAA's sport pilot transition rules. Those wishing to avail themselves of the opportunity must hurry because the rules allowing transition are set to expire at the end of next month.

Below is the contents of an article published by the USUA answering the most often asked questions.

In this article, we will clarify the rules, and describe the steps potential Sport Pilot applicants must follow, if they want to obtain their Sport Pilot certificate before the transition period expires. This article, will attempt to answer common questions about this transition period.

How can I transition to Sport Pilot?
14 CFR 61.329(a)(1) defines this transition period. It only applies to people who already held an ultralight pilot rating (student or ultralight pilot) with one of the ultralight organizations on or before 9/1/2004. It does not apply to new students, or people who began their ultralight training after 9/1/2004.

In plain English, what this regulation says, is that if you were registered as an ultralight pilot with one of the organizations (such as USUA) on or before 9/1/2004, all you have to do to become a Sport Pilot, is pass the knowledge test, and the practical exam, before 1/31/2007. You do not need to prove that you met the requirements of Sport Pilot, and you do not need a CFI’s endorsement to take the knowledge test or the practical exam.

To prove that you were an ultralight pilot on or before 9/1/04, knowledge test centers and DPEs who administer the practical exam, will need to see a certified copy of your airman records. This is a special form, created by each organization, as an acceptable form of proof that you do meet these requirements. Before you can take these tests, you must have this form in your possession. You must pass the knowledge test, before you are even eligible to take the practical exam.

Although the rules of the transition period do not mandate any additional training, it would be foolish to try to pass these tests without getting some training and practice beforehand. These are different rules, and many ultralight pilots are not prepared to take these tests. USUA strongly recommends that applicants prepare and get training, before attempting to take these tests.

If you fail either the knowledge test or the practical exam, then you will need to seek out a Sport Pilot CFI to receive remedial training on the items you failed, and obtain that CFI’s endorsement to re-take the test, before you will be allowed to take the test again.

As the end of the transition period approaches, many CFIs and DPEs are becoming very busy. If you wait until the last moment, there may not be enough time for you to complete these tests.

Again, the bottom line is that you must pass the knowledge test and practical exam before 1/31/2007, if you want to take advantage of this transition period. No exceptions.

What aircraft can I use to take my practical exam in?
The Sport Pilot practical exam must be taken in an aircraft that meets the definition of a Light Sport Aircraft. It must be N-numbered, and have a current airworthiness certificate. You can not take your practical exam in an ultralight, or an ultralight trainer being flown under a training exemption.

Do I need a Student Pilot Certificate?
During this transition period, you do not need a student pilot certificate, if you will be taking your practical exam in a two place aircraft, and the DPE is willing to act as pilot-in-command during that flight.

You do need a student pilot certificate if:

• You will be taking your practical exam in a single place aircraft
• You plan to fly your plane to the place where the practical exam will be administered (unless someone else is onboard, acting as pilot-in-command)

There are many misconceptions about the process to become a Student Pilot. Becoming a student pilot, basically involves 3 steps:

• Apply for, and obtain a student pilot certificate (these can be obtained by passing the flight physical, by visiting your local FSDO, or from a sport pilot DPE)
• Receive required ground and flight training from an authorized CFI
• Having the proper endorsements in your logbook and on the actual student pilot certificate, allowing you to make solo flights

Possessing a student pilot certificate alone, does not give you privileges to fly your plane solo. Also, possessing this student pilot certificate does not extend the transition deadline of 1/31/2007.

I fly a taildragger. Do I need an endorsement?
Yes. All pilots must have a tailwheel endorsement (per 14 CFR 61.31), before being allowed to act as pilot-in-command of a tailwheel airplane.

While it would be possible to take your practical exam in a two-place tailwheel aircraft before getting this endorsement, you would not be able to act as pilot-in-command, until you obtain this endorsement (even after passing the practical exam). Your DPE will not be able to issue this endorsement during the practical, because the regulations require that you obtain instruction before getting the endorsement (and a practical exam, is not an instructional flight).

What happens if I miss the 1/31/2007 deadline?
If you miss the 1/31/2007 deadline, then all the training requirements of sport pilot kick in (from 61.309, 61.311, 61.313). If you were a registered ultralight pilot after 9/1/2004, then 61.329(a)(2) also applies. This regulation basically says that although you are subject to all the requirements for sport pilot, although properly logged training time you received from a BFI can count toward the requirements (as long as both you and the BFI were properly registered with an organization, and proper logbook endorsements were made when the training was obtained). Previous instruction from a CFI can also count toward these requirements.

How can I become a Sport Pilot CFI?
Similar transition rules were created, to allow existing BFIs to become Sport Pilot CFIs. The regulation that defines this transition period is 14 CFR 61.431. These transition regulations are similar to those to become a sport pilot.

In plain English, if you were a BFI with one of the organizations on or before 9/1/2004, you have until 1/31/2008, to become a sport pilot CFI, by passing the CFI knowledge test, and CFI practical exam. Again, during this transition period, you do not need to meet the requirements of 61.407, 61.409, or 61.411 (except you must meet the flight time requirements as specified in 61.411).

If you miss the 1/31/2008 deadline, now you will be required to meet all the requirements to become a Sport Pilot CFI.

To become a sport pilot CFI, you must first hold a FAA pilot certificate, so unless you already hold a recreational or private pilot certificate, you must become at least a sport pilot, before you are eligible to become a CFI. If you want to become a sport pilot during its transition period, you must do so, before 1/31/2007.

FMI: www.usua.org