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.