A Pilot Resource > All About Light Sport Aircraft > FAQs on getting started flying a light sport aircraft

Light Sport Aircraft FAQs
Questions you may have about becoming a Sport Pilot and flying a Light Sport Aircraft:
  1. What is an Ultralight Pilot and Ultralight Aircraft?
  2. What is a Light Sport Aircraft?
  3. What are the categories of Light Sport Aircraft?
  4. What is a Sport Pilot?
  5. Can a Private Pilot with an expired medical fly a Light Sport Aircraft?
  6. What will be required for Maintenance and Inspection of a Light Sport Aircraft?
  7. What is the Sport Pilot and Light Sport Aircraft
    phase in time table?
  8. What can you do with an Light Sport Aircraft?
  9. Is a Light Sport Aircraft safe?
  10. What happens if the engine quits?
  11. Is flying a Light Sport Aircraft scary?
  12. How much does a Light Sport Aircraft cost?
  13. And, how long will it last?
  14. What do you need to know when purchasing your first Light Sport Aircraft?
  15. How do you get started?
  16. Do you need a license to fly?
  17. What should you look for when signing up for a lesson?

1. What is an Ultralight Pilot and an Ultralight Aircraft?
An Ultralight Pilot is a pilot who flies a single place Ultralight Aircraft that is under 254 lbs. empty weight and further defined and operated under simple guidelines specified in FAR Part 103. To learn more go to All About Ultralights.com.

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2. What is a Light Sport Aircraft?

Light-Sport Aircraft are a new classification of lightweight, affordable and simple to operate aircraft that fall within these parameters:

  • Two-place maximum (pilot and one passenger)

  • Maximum gross takeoff weight 1,320 lbs (599 kg.), 1,430 lbs for seaplanes.

  • Maximum stall speed 51.8 mph (45 knots)

  • Maximum speed in level flight with maximum continuous power 138 mph (120 knots)

  • Single, non-turbine engine only, includes rotary or diesel engines.

  • Fixed or ground adjustable propeller.

  • Unpressurized cabin with fixed landing gear.

  • Reposition able landing gear for seaplanes allowing the wheels to be rotated for amphibious operation.

  • (S-LSA) Special Light-Sport aircraft manufactured and sold ready-to-fly under a new ASTM consensus standard.

  • (E-LSA) Experimental Light-Sport Aircraft is kit or plans built. May be used for sport and recreation and flight instruction for the owner of the aircraft.

  • (E-LSA) Experimental Light-Sport Aircraft previously operated as an ultralight trainer. Aircraft must be transitioned to E-LSA category no later than January 31, 2008. Existing fleet of ultralight trainers.

  • Will have FAA registration N number.

  • U.S. or foreign manufacture of light-sport aircraft is authorized.

  • Aircraft with a standard airworthiness certificate (vintage production aircraft such as J3 Cub, Aeronca 7AC Champ, Ercoupe 415C, etc.) that meet LSA specifications may be flown by pilots exercising Sport Pilot privileges. However, the standard category can not be changed to a light-sport aircraft. Maintenance must therefore be done by an A&P as it has in the past.

  • Holders of a sport pilot certificate may fly an aircraft with a standard airworthiness certificate if it meets the definition of a light-sport aircraft.

  • May be operated at night if the aircraft is equipped per FAR 91.209 and the pilot holds at least a Private Pilot certificate and a minimum of a third-class medical.

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3. What are the categories and classes of Light Sport Aircraft?
 

Airplane Category (Fixed Wing – Three Axis – Airplane)
Class – Land and Sea

Weight Shift Aircraft Category (Trike, Powered Hang Glider, Flex Wing)
Class - land or sea

Powered Parachute Category (Inflatable Wing)
Class – land and sea

Glider Category

Rotorcraft Category
Class – Gyroplane

Lighter than Air Category
Class – balloon or airship
 

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4. What is a Sport Pilot?

  • The Sport Pilot Airman Certificate is for operating any aircraft that meet the definition of a Light Sport Aircraft. For more details see All About Sport Pilot.

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5. Can a Private Pilot with an expired medical fly a Light Sport Aircraft?

Yes, using a valid and current United States drivers license with an up to date bi-annual flight review.

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6. What will be required for Inspection and Maintenance of a Light Sport Aircraft?

There are two Light-Sport Repairmen certificates for Inspection and Maintenance ratings. Both must demonstrate the requisite skill to determine whether a Light Sport Aircraft is in a condition for safe operation.

  • A commercial maintenance rating allows Repairman to inspect and do maintenance, preventative maintenance, and alterations to S-LSA. The course is 120 hours (airplane category); 104 hours (weight shift or powered parachute); 80 hours (glider or lighter-than-air). An A&P certificate can count towards these hour requirements for Light Sport Aircraft qualifications but additional training on specific category of aircraft will be required.
  • >An inspection rating allows E-LSA owners the ability to perform the annual inspection on their own aircraft. This course is 16 hours on the specific aircraft category and class.
  • Any Light Sport Aircraft used for hire (including training), must have an additional 100 hour inspection by a repairman with a LSA maintenance rating, an A & P rating, or a service center.

Maintenance highlights for (S-LSA) special light-sport airworthiness certificated aircraft. A certificated pilot (Sport Pilot rating or higher) can perform preventive maintenance and return to service on his own aircraft with no sport pilot repairman certificate.

However, the annual condition inspection must be completed by:

  • An appropriately rated A&P mechanic,
  • An appropriately rated repair station; or
  • A Light Sport repairman with a maintenance rating.

Maintenance highlights for (E-LSA) experimental Light Sport airworthiness certificated aircraft. No rating is required to perform maintenance on (E-LSA).

The annual condition inspection can be completed by:

  • An appropriately rated A&P mechanic
  • An appropriately rated repair station.
  • A Light Sport Aircraft repairman with a maintenance rating; or
  • An aircraft owner can take a 16 hour course to obtain an Inspection rating to do their own annual inspection.

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7. What is the Sport Pilot and Light Sport Aircraft
     phase in time table?
Sport Pilot and Light Sport Aircraft phase in time table is as follows:

September 1, 2004 Sport Pilot/Light Sport Aircraft rule started:

  • Current pilots (with pilot certificate and current flight review) can begin flying under sport pilot regulations with no additional training or registration;

  • Non-current pilots (with pilot certificate but expired flight review) can pass flight review and fly Light Sport Aircraft, provided they hold a valid U.S. driver's license;

January 1, 2005 FAA issued the first certificates for the following:

  • Sport Pilots, Sport Pilot instructors (CFI-SP)

  • Factory-built light-sport aircraft (Special Light-Sport Aircraft or S-LSA)

  • Amateur-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

January 31, 2007

  • Deadline for registered ultralight pilots to take the Sport Pilot Practical Test (Checkride) without additional training hours;

January 31, 2008

  • Final day for E-LSA certificates to be granted to current two-place ultralight trainers or "fat ultralights"

  • All two-place ultralight training aircraft exemptions expire.

  • Final day for Ultralight Instructors to use their ultralight flying experience toward a CFI-SP certificate.

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 E-LSA.

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8. What can you do with a Light Sport Aircraft?
Pilots can fly anywhere they want for hours. There is no distance limitation for the aircraft. Pilots can fly in and out of small to large airports. Some pilots like to fly low and slow to enjoy the view from a relatively low altitude while others like to fly high and fast. Performance is a function of the aircraft design. Flying into large airports, at high altitude, at night, or into the clouds is a pilot rating, not an aircraft limitation.

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9. Is a Light Sport Aircraft safe?

Light Sport Aircraft are safe and reliable if maintained properly and the pilot has acquired the proper training.

Many of the aircraft have been certified to strict standards in foreign countries such as Great Britain, France, Germany, and Australia. Many of the new Special Light Sport Aircraft are certified to FAA developed ASTM Industry Standards for safe flying and structural integrity.

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10. What happens if the engine quits?
It isn't a problem with proper training. You are trained to always have a landing site within easy gliding distance in the event of an "engine out". Most aircraft are designed to be able to glide with the engine off to a safe landing area.

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11. Is flying a Light Sport Aircraft scary?
A Light Sport Aircraft is an exciting way to fulfill your dream of flight. Even if you have a fear of heights, it will rarely be a factor, since there is no sensation of falling.

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12. How much does a Light Sport Aircraft cost?
    
A typical new Light Sport Aircraft will cost somewhere between $10,000 and $100,000. Just like buying a car. They are very affordable to buy and maintain.

Most pilots who get into the sport also purchase a two-way radio system, helmets, instruments for an additional $1000. - $1500. altogether.

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13. How long will a Light Sport Aircraft last?
This depends on how the aircraft is operated and maintained. It is like an automobile, it can operate reliably if you take care of it. Aircraft last longer if kept in a hanger, just like a car will last longer parked in the garage. Aluminum or composite aircraft can last longer than aircraft with fabric in the construction. After years of fairly active usage and exposure to UV light from the sun, the aircraft using sail cloth may be in need of replacement. This of course varies with how you care for your wing. It’s easy to test your sailcloth for strength and thus determine your need to replace your wing long before it becomes unsafe.

Good used equipment is often available for half as much though it will have a shorter life-span. In addition, because the sport is evolving rapidly, newer light sport aircraft can have significantly better performance and behavior than older aircraft.

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14. What do you need to know when purchasing your first Light Sport Aircraft?
First, you need to know how to fly. No would-be pilot should purchase an aircraft before learning at least the basics of flying. It is your instructor’s job to help you select your first aircraft. Different aircraft have different characteristics; your instructor will match the aircraft to your particular interests. Develop a solid relationship with an instructor you trust before purchasing equipment. "Good deals" generally end up costing the naive new pilot a great deal of money. Most instructors rely on referrals and repeat business so they are very determined to help you make the right decisions. When purchasing equipment, a responsible dealer should always require some proof of certified rating for the type of aircraft you are purchasing.

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15. How do you get started?

The best way to start is to follow the Learn to Fly Checklist.

  1. Choose the type of Aircraft to Fly with consideration to cost, ease of flying, athletic ability, engine verses no engine, portability, storage, location, aircraft speeds, and your previous aviation experience. The DVD Sport Pilot, Choosing the Light Sport Aircraft That's Right For You helps you determine the category of aircraft best for you.
  2. These "Learn to Fly" DVDs are perfect introductions and tell you everything about getting into the sport for your selected aircraft.
  3. Gather the best Training Materials for you to study to be prepared, and efficient, when you take lessons with your instructor.
  4. Take some discovery flights to evaluate aircraft and instructors. Check out the Flight Instruction FAQs you should ask before you go for your flight.

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16. Do you need a license to fly?
With a simple FAA Sport Pilot airman's certificate are able to fly a Light Sport Aircraft. For more details see All About Sport Pilot.

No license is required to fly an Ultralight aircraft, but it is important to obtain proper training to fly safely.

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17. What should I look for when signing up for a lesson?
When selecting a school for flight instruction, first make sure that the instructor is certified by the FAA or one of these Ultralight flying organizations:

ASC - Aero Sports Connection
EAA - Experimental Aircraft Association
USUA - United States Ultralight Association

Things to look for include:

  • What ratings do the instructors have? An FAA certified flight instructor is called a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI). (The highest Ultralight Instructor rating is called Advanced Flight Instructor (AFI).)

  • Does the school have airstrips or launch sites to accommodate more than one wind direction and thus more flying days?

  • What is the safety record of the school and of the instructors?

  • How many students has the school taught, how many of its students receive certification each year?

  • Does the school operate full-time to fit your schedule?

  • Will the school provide references from previous students?

Check out the Flight Instruction FAQs for questions you should ask before you take an introductory flight or sign up for lessons.

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