Faa approves new "sport" pilot license.

[AndyMan 7]

From Slashdot

The FAA has just approved regulations creating a new class of pilot's license. (FAA press release here). The Sport Pilot license allows you to fly Light-Sport planes. It is much, much easier to get than a normal pilot's license; for example, you don't need to get a medical exam, and the training requirements are minimal. Overview Here.

Excerpt: "Light-Sport airplanes will be limited in size and power: maximum weight 1,320 pounds, maximum two seats, maximum airspeed 120 knots, single non-turbine engine, fixed landing gear. If it's a Light-Sport, it should be one of the easiest planes to fly."

This has the potential to dramatically increase the number of people owning and flying planes. Not only is it easier for a person to become a Sport Pilot, it is easier and cheaper for a company to sell a Light-Sport airplane. (For years, people have been building "kit" airplanes just so they will fall under the looser "homebuilt" rules. Now, there will be no need to build a plane unless you actually want to do so.) Several airplane companies have promised to produce Light-Sport planes that will cost no more than a luxury car."

I don't think this will affect skydiving ops in the slightest, except it may increase traffic at the small airports we use. I do suspect this license might be very popular with jumpers...
_Am

__

You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

[yoink 321]

well we sure as hell aren't going to use them for jump planes! 2 seats and piston only? PBBBTTTT!

[mnischalke 0]

Hmmmmm, sounds to me as if the man is trying to regulate something that has been previously unregulated--ultralights.

I guess this would require all ultralight pilots to follow the same rules as a regular commercial jump pilot when performing jump ops. The upside, he could officially get paid. The consequence will be that if you don't follow the rules, you get your ticket jerked just like the rest of GA.

Guess that means no ... sub 1k-jumpruns wearing my Reactor.

mike

Girls only want boyfriends who have great skills--You know, like nunchuk skills, bow-hunting skills, computer-hacking skills.

[diablopilot 2]

Quote

I don't think this will affect skydiving ops in the slightest, except it may increase traffic at the small airports we use.

And the number of yahoos who are out for a "Sunday Drive" and don't read their charts, don't bother using their radios, don't mess with flight following, and cruse right through active DZ's.

Remember kids, spotting ain't just to see where you land, it's to make sure you have a clear path to the ground as well. Look around!

Quote

I do suspect this license might be very popular with jumpers...

So do I.

----------------------------------------------
You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

[pilotdave 0]

The new rule doesnt affect ultralights. Not true part 103 ultralights anyway. It's a WONDERFUL thing for all the 2-seat european ultralights though. Many of them will finally be legal in the US. It's always been illegal to jump a 2-seat ultralight in the US. I haven't read the rule carefully yet, but there's a chance it could be legal when the rule goes into affect.

But yeah, the new rule also may create a whole bunch of less trained pilots flying lots more planes that are just as capable of really ruining your day when you're skydiving. But I'm still excited about all the existing designs that will suddenly become legal in the US. This is a great thing.

Dave

[mnischalke 0]

Actually, I've read the FARs and haven't read a thing that officially forbids it. I am sure somebody could make a case based on another interpretation.

mike

Girls only want boyfriends who have great skills--You know, like nunchuk skills, bow-hunting skills, computer-hacking skills.

[pilotdave 0]

If you're talking about jumping from an ultralight, it's FAR 103.1 (a):

"For the purposes of this part, an ultralight vehicle is a vehicle that:

(a) Is used or intended to be used for manned operation in the air by a single occupant;"

If it's got more than one person on board, it's not a legal ultralight (unless its used for flight training, blah blah blah...) and therefore part 103 doesn't apply. Then it would have to be certified and flown by a licensed pilot and all that.

Dave

[mnischalke 0]

So, if I go for a training flight, where does it say I have to get out of the vehicle on the ground?

mike

Girls only want boyfriends who have great skills--You know, like nunchuk skills, bow-hunting skills, computer-hacking skills.

[kelpdiver 2]

Quote

And the number of yahoos who are out for a "Sunday Drive" and don't read their charts, don't bother using their radios, don't mess with flight following, and cruse right through active DZ's.

Remember kids, spotting ain't just to see where you land, it's to make sure you have a clear path to the ground as well. Look around!

[

These don't sound like the biggest planes either - not so easy to spot.

[rehmwa 2]

Quote

And the number of yahoos who are out for a "Sunday Drive" and don't read their charts, don't bother using their radios, don't mess with flight following, and cruse right through active DZ's

Exactly, we're 1 mile off of a major interstate, just exactly the offset needed by the YAY-HOO who navigates by looking out his window and reading a roadmap.

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[mailin 0]

Fantastic!

But I do wonder... seeing as parachutes fall under 'aircraft' when piloted by a jumper - would that now fall under this new 'sport' license?

I wonder how this would effect jumpers (not coaches) in regards to medical clearances and how the DZ will read that? You only need a drivers license to establish medical eligibility with the new license.

Jen

Arianna Frances

[PhreeZone 20]

>seeing as parachutes fall under 'aircraft' when piloted by a jumper

They are not looked at as aircraft at all. The US Courts have estabilished that one.

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com