Representatives at the Experimental Aircraft Association tell
Aero-News that ultralight pilots who registered with one of the
four FAA recognized ultralight organizations before September 1,
2004, but missed the January 31, 2007, deadline -- or pilots who
registered after September 1, 2004 -- still may use the
aeronautical experience (flight hours) they obtained in ultralight
vehicles to meet the experience requirements to obtain a sport
pilot certificate.
Larry W. Clymer, Manager of the Light-Sport Aviation Branch of
the FAA (shown in the photo below, at right) explains the matter
more clearly, in the unedited letter below to EAA members:
Are you confused on what happens if you are an ultralight pilot
and you have not made the transition to a sport pilot? Have you
been told that your "letter from your ultralight organization is no
longer valid?" Well, you are not alone! There has been a lot of
confusion on what really happens if an ultralight pilot does not
obtain their sport pilot certificate on or before the January 31,
2007 cutoff date referenced in 14 CFR 61.329(a)(1).
To clarify, this deadline only applies to ultralight pilots who
have been registered with one of the four FAA recognized
organizations on or prior to September 1, 2004. If you are not one
of these pilots this date does not apply to you.
To understand this rule you will need to break §61.329(a)
into two parts. Firstly, Part §61.329(a)(1) describes the
approaching deadline and only applies to ultralight pilots who were
part of a recognized organization on or prior to September 1, 2004.
Secondly, Part §61.329(a)(2) applies to anyone who has
registered as an ultralight pilot after September 1, 2004.
In reality the special provisions provided for in
§61.329(a)(1) expire on January 31, 2007. Effective February
1, 2007:
- You must have the aeronautical knowledge requirements specified
in § 61.309. This means you must now receive and log ground
training from an authorized instructor or complete a home-study
course on the applicable aeronautical knowledge areas for a sport
pilot.
- You must have the flight proficiency requirements specified in
§ 61.311. At which time, you must receive and log ground and
flight training from an authorized instructor on the appropriate
areas of operation for the category of light-sport aircraft being
sought.
- You must have the aeronautical experience requirements
specified in § 61.313. At which time, you must log the flight
experience required for the applicable category of light-sport
aircraft for which you seek to obtain a sport pilot
certificate.
- You will no longer be able to use the knowledge test for a
flight instructor certificate to obtain a sport pilot certificate.
If you have only taken the flight instructor knowledge test, you
will also be required to take the sport pilot knowledge test for
your category of light-sport aircraft.
- You will no longer be able to obtain an endorsement for each
category, class, and make and model of aircraft listed on your
ultralight pilot records. You will have to take and pass a
proficiency check for each additional category and class of
light-sport aircraft being sought.
Does this mean you will be able to use the logged aeronautical
experience you have obtained as an ultralight pilot?
The answer to this
question is yes, 14 CFR 61.52 authorizes you to use your ultralight
flight experience. One misinterpretation of §61.52 is that the
ultralight flight experience obtained while a member of a FAA
recognized ultralight organization is ONLY valid until January, 31
2007 for pilots or January 31, 2008 for flight instructors. This is
not the case, your aeronautical experience obtain under §61.52
is good forever! Your organizational membership letter and your
logbook will qualify as proof of your experience. Therefore, you
will need to keep these documents until you have obtained the
certificates and/or ratings being sought.
The aeronautical experience obtained in an ultralight vehicle
however, can ONLY be used to meet the requirements for a sport
pilot certificate, a flight instructor certificate with a sport
pilot rating and a private pilot certificate with a
weight-shift-control or powered parachute category rating. This
experience CANNOT be used for any other FAA certificates or
ratings.
This time must have been logged in accordance with the
provisions for logging aeronautical experience specified by a FAA
recognized ultralight organization and in accordance with
provisions for logging pilot time in an aircraft as specified in
§61.51. You must have obtained this experience as a registered
ultralight pilot with one of the FAA recognized ultralight
organizations.
Who are the four FAA recognized ultralight organizations?
- ASC – Aero Sports Connection
- EAA – Experimental Aircraft Association
- USHPA – United States Hang Gliding and Para Gliding
Association
- USUA – United States Ultralight Association
While there has been some confusion about the transition for
both ultralight pilots and vehicles, it is important that you
understand the process and how it will affect you, especially if
you are a transitioning pilot. The Light-Sport Aviation Branch,
AFS-610, is here to support you in answering questions about light
sport aviation topics. Please give us a call at (405) 954-6400.