The folks at USUA have updated the latest version of what is
expected to be the official Sport Pilot Implementation
Timeline...
The following information is taken directly from the FAA
AFS-600 website.
September 1, 2004 -- Effective Date of Rule
Current pilots (with a
recreational pilot certificate, or higher and current flight
review) can begin flying under sport pilot regulations with no
additional training or registration;
Non-current pilots (with a recreational pilot certificate, or
higher, but expired flight review) can pass flight review and fly
as sport pilots, provided they hold a valid U.S. driver's
license;
Deadline for ultralight pilots and instructors to be registered
with EAA, ASC or USUA to get full credit for ultralight training
and flight experience.
October 2004:
FAA Order 8000.84, Procedures to Accept Industry-Developed
Training for Light-Sport Repairmen has been signed and is available
on the FAA web site. This order contains the
policy to be used by AFS-610 for the acceptance and monitoring of
industry-developed training for the light-sport aircraft repairman.
AFS-610 will accept course applications that meet the requirements
of this order on or after January 1st, 2005.
Aircraft Registration - will begin on October 15th.
FAA Form 8050-2 Aircraft Bill of Sale and FAA Form 8050-88A will
be available on-line on October 1st.
Owners of two-place ultralight trainers and "fat ultralights"
(single-seat and two-seat aircraft weighing more than 254 pounds)
can apply for FAA registration and receive N-numbers;
FAA Practical Test Standards (PTS), for Sport Pilot/ Sport Pilot
CFI, and Private Pilot (WSC and PPC) tests;
FAA Form 8110.28 - Designated Airworthiness Representatives -
Applications (Light-sport) will be accepted.
November 2004:
FAA Order 8710.X, Sport Pilot Examiner Handbook - Establishes
the Sport Pilot Examiner program.
FAA Form 8710-12, Light-Sport Standardization Board - Designated
Pilot Examiner Candidate Application (Sport Pilot and Sport Pilot
Flight Instructor Examiners) - November 1st.
Knowledge Tests Available to the Public at Computer Testing
Centers - Sport Pilot, Sport Pilot CFI, and Private Pilot (WSC and
PPC) November 15th.
Guidelines for light-sport aircraft repairman training;
Policy on how to make application, and guidelines on privileges
and endorsements for a student pilot seeking a sport pilot
certificate. Beginning November 15th, the FAA inspectors and
designated pilot examiners may begin issuing student pilot
certificates for students seeking sport pilot privileges using FAA
Form 8710-1, Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application.
December 2004: The
first training courses for light-sport aircraft Designated
Airworthiness Representatives will be offered;
January 1, 2005:
The new FAA Form 8710-11, Airman Certificate and/or Rating
Application - Sport Pilot will be available
Guidelines for issuance and endorsements published.
January 15, 2005 Airman Certification:
The FAA will be ready to issue the first certificates for the
following:
Sport Pilots
Sport Pilot instructors (CFIs)
Factory-built light-sport aircraft (Special Light-Sport Aircraft
or S-LSA)
Existing and kit-built light-sport aircraft (Experimental
Light-Sport Aircraft or E-LSA)
Light-Sport Aircraft repairmen (maintenance and inspection
ratings)
Ratings for Private Pilots who have additional training in
weight-shift aircraft or powered parachutes
Applications accepted for additional category & class
privileges for sport pilots and sport pilot CFI's.
Also in January 2005:
Initial Designated Pilot Examiner (Sport Pilot and Sport Pilot
Flight Instructor Examiners) courses begin
AC 61.65 (revision) - Certification: Pilots and Flight and
Ground Instructors - Policy and guidance to flight instructors for
conducting proficiency checks and endorsement requirements.
February 2005 and beyond:
AC 61-XX - Sport and Light-Sport Aircraft
Advisory Circular - Policy and Guidance to industry on aircraft and
airman certification, and maintenance and inspection requirements
for light-sport aircraft and pilots operating light-sport
aircraft.
DAR and DPE courses as needed
Education focusing on Sport Pilot Flight Instructor privileges
and responsibilities; registering and maintaining light sport
aircraft.
January 31, 2007:
Deadline for registered ultralight pilots to take the sport
pilot practical test without additional training hours;
Final day for ELSA certificates to be granted to current
two-place ultralight trainers or "fat ultralights"
January 31, 2008:
All two-place ultralight training aircraft exemptions expire
(EAA, ASC, USUA).
Deadline for registered ultralight instructors to take the sport
pilot flight instructor practical test without additional training
hours
January 31, 2010: Last day that
a sport pilot CFI may take compensation to give instruction in a
two-place ultralight trainer that was converted to an ELSA.
When will the FAA be ready to begin accepting applications
and issuing new airman certificates or new airworthiness
certificates under this rule?
AIRMAN CERTIFICATION:
November 2004: November 2004, the FAA will publish policy
on how to make application, and guidelines on privileges and
endorsements for a student pilot seeking a sport pilot
certificate.
January 2005:
January 1, 2005 -- The
new FAA Form 8710-11, Airman Application and/or Rating –
Sport Pilot, will be made public.
January 15, 2005: The FAA will accept applications, FAA Form
8710-11, for the following new certificates or ratings:
- Student pilot seeking a sport pilot certificate,
- Sport pilot certificate,
- Flight instructor certificate -- sport pilot rating.
- Private Pilot certificate -- weight-shift control rating and
powered parachute rating
The FAA will accept applications, FAA Form 8710-11, for
additional sport pilot or sport pilot CFI category or class
privileges on this date (completion of a proficiency check).
The FAA will accept FAA Form 8610-1, for a repairman
(light-sport aircraft) certificate with a maintenance or inspection
rating. FAA Form 8610-1 is currently available, but the policy for
the issuance of a repairman (light-sport aircraft) will not be
published until January 2005.
Note: The FAA will not accept any applications for the new
certificates, rating or privileges listed above that are submitted
prior to January 15, 2005. (This does not include FAA Form 8710-1,
submitted for a student pilot seeking a sport pilot certificate
submitted after November 15, 2004)
AIRCRAFT CERTIFICATION:
October 2004 – Beginning October
15, 2004, the FAA will accept AC Form 8050-1, Aircraft Registration
Form and FAA Form 8050-88A, Affidavit Of Ownership, to register the
following:
Transitioning ultralight-like aircraft and two-place training
vehicles that have never been certificated, [ELSA under the
provisions of 21.191(i)(1)],
New kit-built LSA [ELSA under the provisions of 21.191(i)(2)],
or
Newly manufactured LSA that will meet the consensus standards
[SLSA under the provisions of 21.190]
January 2005 – Beginning January 15, 2005, the FAA
will accept FAA Form 8130-6, Application for US Airworthiness
Certificate for the issuance of the following:
Experimental light-sport airworthiness
certificate
Special light-sport airworthiness
certificate.