A Month-By-Month Chronicle

By ANN Correspondent John Ballantyne

January

As we entered 2004, the focus was on the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). At OMB sport pilot/light sport aircraft began a second review period (actually start counting as of December 23, 2003). If the proposal got blessed by OMB, the FAA could issue sport pilot as a final rule.

February - March

The FAA again assured everyone that sport pilot was a top priority within the administration and reiterated the goal of release of a final rule by late summer.

Public and aviation industry confidence in the FAA was further weakened because of so many broken time deadlines and seemingly endless bureaucratic processes. Concern began to surface many places about the damaging effects of waiting so long for an "imminent" rule change. There was noticeable damage to the recreational aviation community who had stopped buying and building aircraft to "see what would happen." Already starving instructors (who do you know that got rich by instructing flight?) and struggling manufactures were really feeling the strain of wait-for-the-rule paralysis.

By mid-spring the Office of Management and Budget stamped "OK" on the Sport Pilot proposal. This opened the way for FAA to actually release the rule. the FAA promised to release the rule soon (again).

July 20 

The FAA actually releases sport pilot! Administrator Marion Blakey officially unveiled the long-awaited Sport Pilot and Light Sport Aircraft rule. The aviation media touted it as the way for existing (older?) pilots to fly using only a valid driver's license in lieu of an FAA medical certificate. Sport Pilot was also seen as a less-expensive way to become a pilot. Presumably this meant that there would be a significant influx of new pilots. The rule became effective on September 1 FAA began to implement it in stages.

September 1 

This was the effective date of the Sport Pilot Rule. On this day, any FAA certificated private pilot or better could operate under Sport Pilot privileges (with no tests or endorsements) so long as they had a flight review within the prescribed time (Per FAR 61.23), have not had an FAA medical certificate refused or revoked, possess a current driver's license and "not know or have reason to know of any medical condition that would make that person unable to operate a light-sport aircraft in a safe manner." FAA certificate holders could fly any category and class already on their FAA certificate. This meant that if you had Airplane Single Engine Land (SEL) ticket, then you could operate any ASEL that met the definition of Light Sport Aircraft.

There was much celebration by individuals, companies and member associations -- particularly the EAA -- who had been dominant in the development of sport pilot. EAA had established a Sport Pilot magazine months earlier and hosted a Sport Pilot Member Center at the AirVenture EAA Convention in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, which began shortly after FAA officially released sport pilot.

Release of the regulation began a series of FAA actions to implement Sport Pilot including specific guidance, policy, and infrastructure necessary for the public to conduct operations and seek certification under the new regulations.

October 15

FAA began accepting requests for aircraft registration (N-numbers) from ultralight owners who want to transition their planes to experimental light-sport aircraft. (FAA form 8050-2, Aircraft Registration Form and form 8050-88A-Affidavit of ownership.) Aircraft airworthiness inspections are not yet available, however.

FMI: www.afs600.faa.gov/documents/pdf/HowToRegisterLSA.pdf

October 19

FAA publishes form 8710-12, Light-Sport Standardization Board-Designated Pilot Examiner Candidate Application. This form allows individuals to apply to FAA for consideration as sport pilot examiners.

FMI: www.forms.faa.gov/forms/faa8710-12.pdf

October 28-31

The first US Sport Aviation Expo is held October 28-31, in Sebring, Florida, the home of Lockwood Aviation. This event was created for Light Sport Aircraft and Sport Pilots.

November 5

FAA published Airman Knowledge Test questions. These questions are some of those used on the written tests for sport pilot and sport pilot instructor/examiner. The question bank includes questions related to weight-shift trikes and powered parachutes.

FMI: www.afs600.faa.gov/srchFolder.asp?Category=airmanknowledge

November 15

FAA published the Sport Pilot Examiner Handbook (FAA Order 8710.7). This document established guidance and procedures for pilot examiners. Included are privileges, responsibilities and limitations of pilot examiners.

FMI: Sport Pilot Examiner Handbook

November 15

FAA began accepting sport pilot student pilot application form (8710-1). The form must be completed and taken to a Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) or designated pilot examiner (DPE) before beginning to log instruction toward a sport pilot certificate.

November 29

FAA convened the first Light-Sport Standardization Selection Board (LSSB). This board determined which applicants for Sport Pilot Examiner (DPE) will be invited to the first training seminar. Pilot Examiners are those individuals who are authorized to conduct FAA practical tests (oral and flight) for new sport pilots and sport pilot instructors. FAA will conduct the first DPE training seminar in Sebring, Florida, on January 17-22, 2005.

December 2

FAA released technical guidance (8700.34) to Flight Standards District Offices (FSDO) related to the procedures for issuing sport pilot student certificates.

December 13

FAA published Order 8130.33 which established procedures for selection and appointment of Light-sport Aircraft Designated Airworthiness Representatives (LSA-DAR) and the FAA Airworthiness Office (MIDO) Light Sport Aircraft-DAR selection processes.

FMI www.afs600.faa.gov/AFS610.htm