SweeneyCorp
Sport Pilot News
6/21/05
The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) in cooperation with the FAA's
Light Sport Aviation Branch will be conducting an electronic survey starting
June 21st and closing out on June 27th seeking information about sport pilot
interest for planning infrastructure development in the future. The Sport Pilot
Survey can be accessed through the AFS-610 web site at afs600.faa.gov or the
EAA's www.eaa.org site. Please pass this
information on to your membership. We would like to be able to determine the
requirements for the future in order to support the national sport pilot and
light sport aircraft programs.
Martin Weaver,
Manager, AFS-610
6/1/05
The Light Sport Aviation Branch (AFS-610) is proud to announce the first two
Light Sport Aircraft Inspection Airplane course acceptance letters were mailed
today, June 1st. The letters were sent to Charles Becker, Director, EAA
SportAir Workshops and Brian and Carol Carpenter, Rainbow Aviation Services.
This is the first step in the process of getting repairman ready to conduct
annual condition inspections on the Experimental Light Sport Aircraft the
individuals own. We are anticipating that more individuals and organizations
will develop courses to provide this training.
Sport Pilot Examiner Class 6 will begin on Tuesday, June 7th in Oklahoma City.
The following individuals have accepted invitations to attend the course:
Jeffrey Mountain, Euless, TX; Dennis Stanley, Sandy, UT; Jon Thornburgh, Redondo
Beach, CA; Bobby Walker, Perryton, TX; and Richard Zipperer, Roanoke, TX. To
date there have been 29 Sport Pilot Examiners appointed and over 40 Designated
Pilot Examiners extended sport pilot examining privileges.
Martin Weaver,
Manager, AFS-610
5/23/05
Attached is a new Sport Pilot Examiner Initial Course Schedule for the remainder
of 2005. The course has been extended a day in order to ensure
the qualifications and preparedness of the sport pilot examiner candidates.
Additionally, it gives the aviation safety inspector - instructors more time to
spend with the candidates in training them in the duties and responsibilities as
a representative of the FAA Administrator while conducting FAA certification.
Invitations to examiner candidates for Class 6 were mailed out on May 23rd.
We will announce the candidates that have accepted the invitation by May 31st.
We only have six examiner candidates in Class 6 because very few individuals who
have received notification to take the qualification knowledge test have done
so. We would encourage individuals that have received letters to take
either the examiner or flight instructor knowledge test to do so as soon as
possible. We are having difficulty in filling the class quotas because
very few individuals have submitted the test results to the Light Sport
Standardization Board.
Martin Weaver,
Manager, AFS-610
5/16/05
Attached is an article recognizing Lockwood Aviation for the
outstanding support in helping with the implementation and conduct of the Sport
Pilot Examiner initial courses from January to May in Sebring, FL. Please help
us in recognizing Phil and his personnel.
There is a Special Edition of the Designee Update on the afs600.faa.gov web site
under Other Designee Information that should help flight instructors conducting
proficiency checks in properly filling out FAA Form 8710-11 and providing
correct endorsements in compliance with 14 CFR 61.321 and 61.419. Please pass
this information on to your organizations and flight instructors.
The Light Sport Standardization Branch has designated six new Sport Pilot
Examiners while in Sebring, FL. They are: Frank Cuba, ASEL, Silver Creek, NE;
Richard Michaels, WSCL, Phoenix, AZ; Robert Albright, WSCL, Stow, MA; Peter
Wallace, WSCL, Westbrook, ME; James Kress, ASEL, Oshkosh, WI; and Walter Plentis,
ASEL, Waterford, MI. Congratulations to these individuals for the hard work
and time they put in during the course to complete the requirements to be
designated as Sport Pilot Examiners.
Martin Weaver,
Manager, AFS-610
5/4/05
The guidance for inspectors and examiners to issue pilot privileges to those individuals who
do not hold a category/class authorization on their current pilot
certificate for carrying passengers in accordance with 14 CFR 61.31(k) in
experimental aircraft is now available on the faa.gov web site.
Type in
"8700.42" in the search box and it will lead you to FAA Notice 8700.42 titled:
ISSUANCE OF EXPERIMENTAL CATEGORY AND CLASS RATING FOR THE HOLDERS OF
A RECREATIONAL PILOT CERTIFICATE OR HIGHER.
Martin Weaver,
Manager, AFS-610
4/21/05
We have added two documents to the Sport Pilot Documents page of the Light
Sport Aviation (AFS-610) web site.
The first document is a powerpoint presentation that outlines Sport Pilot Flight
Instructor Duties and Responsibilities. This presentation can be used to help
explain to flight instructors who want to get involved with sport pilot training
what specific regulations they need to review in order to comply with the new
regulations.
The second document is an aid for flight instructors conducting proficiency
checks under 14 CFR 61.321 and 61.419. It is titled Proficiency Check
Procedures for Obtaining Additional Category/Class Sport Pilot Privileges. It is
very important for flight instructors to follow the procedures outlined in order
to ensure that the proper paperwork is completed in a timely manner and that it
is accurate. Under the provisions of 14 CFR 61.413(i) and 61.423(b) flight
instructors assume a greater responsibility in FAA certification.
We hope both of these documents will help the industry and organizations get the
word out to the flight instructors to ensure the sport pilot program is
successful. If there are any questions reference either documents please feel
free to call 405-954-6400 or
afs610comments@faa.gov.
Martin Weaver,
Manager AFS-610
04/07/05
FIXED-WING MANUFACTURERS GET THE GREEN LIGHT TO SELL READY-TO-FLY LSA
Light-sport aircraft manufacturers producing fixed-wing LSA can now sell their
aircraft as special LSA (S-LSA), opening the door for sport pilots and others to
purchase these aircraft. The FAA Thursday (April 7) issued a Notice of
Availability (NOA) for the last critical consensus standard for this category of
LSA, "Standard Practice for
Maintenance and the Development of Maintenance Manuals for Light Sport
Aircraft."
Larry Werth, light-sport aircraft program manager for the Small Airplane
Directorate, confirmed that the NOA had been signed earlier today. "This is the
last piece of the puzzle; now fixed-wing S-LSA manufacturers can issue their
statements of compliance with the ASTM consensus standards and start selling
aircraft." Work continues on the standards for experimental LSA (E-LSA) kits for
all categories of LSA.
For more information go to www.sportpilot.org/news/050407_noa.html
3/28/05
The Light Sport Aviation Branch is happy to announce the completion
of the second Sport Pilot Examiner Initial course on March 26th in Sebring, FL.
Attached is a picture of the newly appointed examiners. From left to right
are Jim Leon, Powered Parachute, Illinois; Jim MacLeay, Powered Parachute,
Tennessee; Sean Curry, Airplane, Wisconsin; Charles Burgoon, Weight Shift
Control, Texas; Earl Downs, Airplane, Oklahoma; Ben Methvin, Airplane, Georgia;
and John Ballantyne, Weight Shift Control, Maryland. The next initial
course will begin in Sebring, FL on April 4th.
3/21/05
The Light Sport Aviation Branch is proud to announce that the first
Sport Pilot certificate with powered parachute privileges was issued today,
March 21st, by a Sport Pilot Examiner. Larry Littlefield of Boynton Beach, FL
conducted the sport pilot evaluation at Sebring, FL to Baron Tayler from
Robesonia, PA. The flight portion was conducted in a Powrachute Pegasus,
N4212W.
The second class of Sport Pilot Examiner Candidates began also today in Sebring,
FL There are eight candidates from the airplane, powered parachute and weight
shift control communities. The course will be completed on Saturday, March
26th.
Martin Weaver,
Manager AFS-610
3/18/05
Just to bring everyone up to date on what is happening in AFS-610.
We have added spread sheet and word document on the afs600.faa.gov web site
under Light Sport Aircraft Documents indicating the status of the Consensus
Standards. Hopefully by April time frame we will be able to have the first set
of complete standards available to certificate the first SLSA. We have also
added a few additional DPEs willing to conduct sport pilot evaluations.
The branch is preparing for the next two sport pilot examiner initial courses in
Sebring, FL. We are also preparing for our participation at Sun & Fun. We will
be located in the FAA Building to answer questions and provide information
reference the various activities concerning sport pilot/light sport aircraft
certification. We will have two information pamphlets on the sport pilot/light
sport aircraft programs. We will be providing presentations on sport pilot
certification, light sport aircraft certification, and pilot flight
instructor duties and responsibilities in the ultralight forum area.
Martin Weaver,
Manager AFS-610
Martin Weaver,
Manager AFS-610
3/3/05
FAA Form 8710-11, Airman Certification and/or Rating Application -
Sport Pilot, is now available on ours or the FAA's main web site. It is a PDF
file. Examiner and instructors are expected to use this form whenever
performing sport pilot certification. Please review the application thoroughly
to ensure that it is accurate when forwarding to Airman Records (AFS-760).
As of the end of February 104 sport pilot tests have been taken by various
applicants. A total of 52 sport pilot general knowledge tests have be
administered with no failures. That is a great accomplish and reflects on the
quality of the airman interested in becoming certified in light sport aircraft.
The examiner availability list has been updated to reflect the additional
designated pilot examiners that have added sport pilot examiner privileges to
their qualifications. The next two sport pilot examiner initial courses have
candidates selected and are planned before Sun & Fun.
Martin Weaver,
Manager, Light Sport Aviation Branch
2/25/05
We have added the following three documents to our web site. The
first document will be found under the Light Sport Aircraft Documents. The
other two will be found under Sport Pilot Documents. This information was
gleamed from the preamble and we find it very helpful in answering a lot of the
questions we have received concerning the program.
Light-Sport Aircraft Maintenance and Certification Requirements
Pilot Certification Eligibility, Training and Testing Requirements
61.303 Handout
Martin Weaver,
Manager, Light Sport Aviation Branch
2/14/05
The Light Sport Aviation Branch is happy to announce that the
following 8 examiner candidates have accepted invitations to attend the second
Sport Pilot Examiner Initial Course to be held in Sebring, FL March 21 to 26.
John Ballantyne, WSC, Union Bridge, MD
Charles Burgoon, WSC, Houston, TX
Robert Comperini, ASE, Lancaster, CA
Sean Curry, ASE, Wautoma, WI
Earl Downs, ASE, Cushing, OK
James Leon, PPC, Peotone, IL
James MacLeay, PPC, Morristown, TN
George Methvin, ASE, Marietta, GA
Martin Weaver,
Manager, Light Sport Aviation Branch
2/10/05
The sport pilot examiner list is now posted by aircraft category on
the afs600.faa.gov web site. We have been receiving letters from FSDOs
around the country extending sport pilot examiner privileges to existing
Designated Pilot Examiners. There seems to be a growing interest by the
DPEs to get involved with the program. The next Sport Pilot Examiner
initial course will be held in Sebring, FL starting March 21st. Eight
candidates have been sent letters asking them to participate. As soon as I
am notified that they have committed to the course I will make the attendee list
public.
Martin Weaver,
Manager, Light Sport Aviation Branch
1/24/05
The Light Sport Aviation Branch is proud to announce that the first
eight Sport Pilot Flight Instructor Examiners were appointed on Saturday,
January 22nd, in Sebring, FL. The following individuals successfully completed
all of the requirements of the first Sport Pilot Examiner Initial course:
William Bardin, Sacramento, CA, ASEL;
John Beaman, Portland, OR, WSCL;
Roy Beisswenger, Greenville, IL, PPCL;
Bob Bleadon, Selma, OR, ASEL;
Brian Carpenter, Corning, CA, ASEL;
Eric Johnson, Chandler, AZ, WSCL; Larry
Littlefield, Boyton Beach, FL, PPCL;
Romke Sikkema, Sebring, FL, ASEL.
Attached is a photo of the first class of new sport pilot examiners. All of
these newly appointed sport pilot examiners completed initial sport pilot and
sport pilot flight instructor evaluations during the course. They also put in
many hours studying the new regulations, practical test standards and examiner
handbook. They are a credit to the light sport aviation community. We also
received valuable feedback from these newly appointed examiners in helping to
make the course an effective tool in preparing future examiners for their
responsibilities.
The Light Sport Aviation Branch would like to extend special thanks and
recognize the efforts of Phil Lockwood and his staff for helping to make this a
successful course. Because of his efforts we were able to certificate the first
five Experimental Light Sport Aircraft (ELSA). We would also like to extend our
thanks to Morris Yoder for providing his Powrachute Pegasus and Tom Peghiny for
his Flight Design CT2K. It is because of the commitment of these fine
individuals and organizations that we were able to meet the training needs of
the initial course.
The Light Sport Standardization Board will be meeting January 25th and 26th to
evaluate the next large group of sport pilot examiner candidates. We will be
putting the next two classes together by mid-February. The next Sport Pilot
Examiner Initial course will be held in Sebring, FL starting March 21st.
Invitations to attend this course will be sent to selected candidates by the end
of February.
Martin Weaver,
Manager, Light Sport Aviation Branch
1/16/05
We have published the information in determining sets of aircraft in accordance
with the requirements of 14 CFR sections 61.315, 61.319, 61.323 and 61.415. In
order for us to publish the information in table format we will need a list of
aircraft in accordance with the defined sets of aircraft. Larry Burke is the
point of contact for providing a consolidated list to AFS-620.
Martin Weaver
Manager, AFS610
1/13/05
The Light Sport Aviation Branch (LSSB) is having a banner week.
We would like to first announce that the Private Pilot Weight Shift Control and
Powered Parachute Practical Test Standards (FAA-S-8081-32)are now available on
the afs600.faa.gov web site. This was a major effort to complete in a
timely manner by the personnel in AFS-800 and AFS-600. Please forward any
comments, questions or recommendations to
afs630comments@faa.gov.
The branch has made significant progress in preparing for the first Sport Pilot
Examiner course in Sebring, FL. We have now MaxAir Drifter, two Air
Creation weight shift control and two Powrachute Pegasus aircraft certified as
Experimental Light Sport Aircraft (ELSA). This was accomplished by the
outstanding support and efforts of the personnel from Lockwood Aviation,
the Orlando Flight Standards District Office and the two airworthiness
inspectors assigned to the LSAB. Because of their efforts we are able to
qualify the inspector work force in these aircraft in order to conduct the
course next week. Now we just need a little help from the weather and
everything will be on tract.
Attached are two photos. The first is the issuing of the first
Experimental Operating Light-Sport airworthiness certificate for the MaxAir
Drifter to Phil Lockwood by inspectors Al Kimball, Edsel Ford and Van Stumpner.
The second photo is Martin Weaver, Manager LSAB, is taxing back in after the
practical test with Larry Clymer, operations inspector LSAB, after completing
the Private Pilot Weight Shift Control and Sport Pilot Flight Instructor
practical test successfully.
Marty Weaver, Manager, AFS-610
Attachment 1:
IM000095.jpg (image/jpeg)
Attachment 2:
Lockwood FAA 2.JPG (image/jpeg)
1/4/05
The Light Sport Aviation Branch is now ready to start accepting
industry-developed training courses for light sport repairman. Individuals
and/or organizations interested in submitting course materials should read and
comply with FAA Order 8000.84,
Procedures to Accept Industry-Developed Training For Light Sport Repairman.
Martin Weaver
Manager, AFS-610
12/28/04
We are happy to announce that the following individuals have been selected for
the Sport Pilot Examiner Initial Course, Class #1, to be held January 17 to 22.
William D. Bardin, Sacramento, CA, Light Sport Airplanes
John H. Beaman, Portland, OR, Weight Shift Control
Roy C. Beiswenger, Greenville, IL, Powered Parachute
Robert W. Bleadon, Selam, OR, Light Sport Airplanes
Brian Carpenter, Corning, CA, Light Sport Airplanes
Eric W. Johnson, Chandler, AZ, Weight Shift Control
Lawrence L. Littlefield, Boynton Beach, FL, Powered Parachute
George B. Methvin, Jr., Marietta, GA, Light Sport Airplanes
The new Sport Pilot Practical Test standards are now located on the
afs600.faa.gov web site under the Airman Testing Standards (AFS-630) page. They
are titled:
FAA-S-8081-29, Sport Pilot Practical Test Standards for Airplane,
Gyroplane, Glider, and Flight Instructor
FAA-S-8081-30, Sport Pilot Practical Test Standards for Airship, Balloon,
and Flight Instructor
FAA-S-8081-31, Sport Pilot Practical Test Standards for Weight Shift
Control, Powered Parachute, and Flight Instructor
These are living documents that will be modified, corrected and updated as the
program evolves. Please forward any comments to
afs630comments@faa.gov
.
The Private Pilot Weight Shift Control and Powered Parachute PTS is in final
coordination. We are hoping to have it available to the public by the end of
January.
The link for the airman knowledge tests for sport pilot will be eliminated from
the AFS-610 directory. The proper directory is under the Airman Testing
Standards (AFS-630) page. The knowledge test questions can be found under the
Airman Knowledge Test Questions. There are two banks. One for Flight
Instructor/Examiner, and the other for Sport Pilot.
Hope everyone is having a great holiday season.
Marty
12/2/04
Attached is the FAA Notice issued to the field offices giving directions for the
issuance of Student Pilot Certificates to Sport Pilot Candidates. Hopefully this
relieves some of the confusion in the field.
Martin Weaver
Manager, AFS-610
See attached file: FAA N8700-34.doc
11/18/04
We have not been able to get the policy to the field concerning the issues of a student pilot certificate for a sport pilot candidate as we had hoped by November 15th. In order to stop confusion and standardize the process the following procedures will be used in order to accomplish this task. The FAA Aviation Safety Inspector or a Designated Plot Examiner will use the appropriate chapter in either FAA Order 8700.1 or FAA Order 8710.3 that deals with issuing a Student Pilot Certificate (FAA Form 8710-2). The inspector or examiner will note on FAA Form 8710-1 the Other box in Section I "Sport Pilot". The application is processed in accordance with the current guidance.
A briefing should be conducted by the inspector or examiner to the student pilot applicant as to the limitations of a sport pilot student as defined in 14 CFR 61.89(c). Additional inspectors and examiners should discuss the limitations with flight instructors that are providing training to sport
pilot students.
It is now anticipated that the guidance for the utilization of the new Sport Pilot Airman Application (FAA-Form 8710-11) and the appropriate endorsements will be available to the public by January.
Martin Weaver
Manager, AFS-610
11/15/04
The new Sport Pilot Examiner Handbook, FAA Order 8710.7, is now available
on the FAA web site (faa.gov) under the regulations and guidance link. If
you follow the instructions from the November 14th e-mail reference the 8130.2F
handbook it will be the second order listed.
Martin Weaver
Manager, AFS-610
11/14/04
The Airworthiness Certification of Aircraft and Related Products (FAA
Order8130.2F) is now available on the faa.gov web site. If you click on
the Regulations and Guidance Library it will take you to another page that has
types of documents listed then click on Orders/Notices. Once you get to
that page click on Current Orders by Date and the new order will be listed under
11-05-2004. Chapter 4, Section 6 has information reference the Special
Light Sport Aircraft (SLSA) and Chapter 4 Section 8 covers the Experimental
Light Sport Aircraft (ELSA). We will try to get this order up on the
AFS-610 web site by the end of the upcoming week.
We are continuing to receive applications from candidates for the Sport Pilot
Examiner program. This is good for all of us. Some organizations are
putting the word out that a recommendation letter from an organization "must" be
included in the package. This is not a true statement. I
recommendation letter is "recommended" but may come from others within the
industry or FAA FSDO inspectors or examiners.
Martin Weaver
Manager, AFS-610
11/10/04
Some misinformation is floating around in the aviation community reference the
Sport Pilot Examiner application deadlines. The first Light Sport
Standardization Board (LSSB) will meet beginning November 29th in Oklahoma City
at the Light Sport Standardization Office (AFS-610). The applications
received by November 23rd that have all the appropriate information and
documentation will be evaluation and graded during this board. Eight
candidates will be selected from these applications and be invited to attend the
first Sport Pilot Examiner course to be held beginning January 17th in Sebring,
FL. Those applications received after November 23rd, applications not
completed properly or containing all the appropriate information and those
candidates not selected by the December board will be considered at the next LSSB which is scheduled in February 2005 for the remaining courses. We
will be conducting additional examiner courses up through October 2005. By
that time we should have had an opportunity to train at least 100 examiners.
The important message for all examiner candidates is to read the instruction
sheet that is attached and make sure the application is filled out in it's
entirety. Additionally, all required requested supporting documents must
be included with the application.
The Designated Airworthiness Representative - Light Sport Aircraft (DAR-LSA)
program is moving forward slowly. A new application, FAA Form 8110-14,
will be used by candidates for this program. It is not yet available.
The new FAA Order 8130.33 needs to be signed and implemented before the program
begins. The first DAR-LSA classes will not be available until after
January 2005. The latest information reference the DAR-LSA program can be
obtained by monitoring the Designee Standardization Branch (AFS-640) web site
listed under the AFS600.faa.gov link.
Martin Weaver
Manager, LSAB (AFS-610)
11/7/04
The good news is that we are starting to receive a large number of
applicants from Sport Pilot Examiner candidates. Unfortunately a lot of
the candidates are not reading the instruction sheet thoroughly. We are
having to contact quite a few of them because they have not completed the form
by answering all of the questions or have not included copies of the required
documents listed in the instructions. This will possibly delay these
candidates from meeting the anticipated Light Sport Standardization Board
starting November 29th. Please pass on to your memberships that their
application and supporting documents need to be completed accurately in order
for us to properly evaluate the individual's eligibility. We will try to
develop a checklist and have it posted on our web site by the end of this week.
Thanks for your support!!
Martin Weaver,
Manager, AFS-610
11/5/04
We were finally able to post the airman knowledge test questions today on the
AFS-630 web site under Airman Knowledge Tests. The first listing is the sport
pilot knowledge test questions. The second is the private questions added to
the bank for the weight-shift control and powered parachute even though it is
listed as "Sport Pilot." The third is for the sport pilot instructor and
designated pilot examiners. The questions shown are part of the actual bank,
not all. We do not release all of the questions. I hope this helps the
industry in developing the training materials to support the sport pilot
program.
The actual testing for all sport pilots, private weight-shift control and
powered parachute, and sport pilot flight instructor and designated pilot
examiners will begin December 1st. Pilot examiner knowledge test authorizations
will be issued by AFS-610 only.
The practical test standards are in final coordination. Our plan is to have
them ready by December 1st. Our delay has been caused by trying to ensure that
all the policy issues are incorporated into the PTSs. Hopefully we have finally
completed the editing. The new Sport Pilot Examiner Handbook (FAA Order 8710.7)
was signed by AFS-1 on October 18th. It is still in the process of being
converted into compliance with new federal guidelines for handcap access. We
are anticipating this to be completed within the next couple of weeks. When
this is finished it will be posted on the AFS-610 web site.
Martin Weaver
Manager, AFS-610
AFS 610
10/22/04
We have added a "How to Register A Light Sport Aircraft" file and two trifolds that are reproducible on our web site today. The trifolds are in a .pdf
file. One covers aircraft registration and the other covers sport pilot
certification.
Hopefully by early next week we will have the new Sport Pilot Examiner Handbook
up on the site.
Hope to see some of you all in Sebring next week.
Marty
AFS 610
Martin Weaver
Manager, Light Sport Aviation Branch
10/19/04
Link to the DPE Application AFS 610
We are now ready to turn the Sport Pilot Examiner application process
on. The new Light-Sport Standardization Board - Designated Pilot Examiner
Candidate Application, FAA Form 8710-12, is now on the Light Sport Aviation
Branch (AFS-610) web site afs600.faa.gov. There is a four page instruction
sheet at the beginning of the application. It is imperative that candidates
complete the application in its entirety in order to ensure that the application
can be evaluated properly. We will only accept original application forms. The
candidate is required to include copies of documents that must be contained in
the package. The mailing address is on the front page of the application. Our
goal is to have the first Light Sport Standardization Board during the first
week of December. This is predicated on the fact that the new Light Sport
Standardization Charter is signed by the Director of Flight Standards (AFS-1)
before December. We are also still planning on conducting the first Sport Pilot
Examiner Initial Course in January 2005.
The Sport Pilot Examiner Handbook, FAA Order 8710.7, will be available on the
AFS-610 web site within a week. This order has been signed by AFS-1 on October
18th. This establishes the Sport Pilot Examiner program and gives guidance to
Aviation Safety Inspectors and Sport Pilot Examiners in conducting practical
tests at the sport pilot level.
Martin Weaver
Manager, Light Sport Aviation Branch
Link to the DPE Application AFS 610
10/18/04
AVFlash
Volume 10, Number 43a www.avweb.com
LIGHT SPORT N-NUMBERS AVAILABLE, NOT RECOMMENDED
You can now get an N-number for your ultralight or homebuilt but, ironically, it
would mean you can't fly it. The conundrum comes as various parts of the massive
Light Sport/Sport Pilot implementation process fail to synchronize in the
creation of the new aircraft class. According to EAA, the part of the FAA that
deals with registration is ready to go and forms were available on Friday to
make the transition. Problem: The parts of the FAA that deal with the
necessary licensing and airworthiness certificates won't be ready for months.
"With FAA's release of the registration form, it is possible to get an N-number
for your ultralight," said EAA spokesman Charlie Becker. "However, EAA is
counseling members to wait ... because, without an airworthiness certificate,
you're grounded." More...
10/12/04
On October 8th we added a major bullet under our web site Light Sport
Aircraft Documents. Within this area are two new documents:
Procedures to Accept Industry-Developed Training for Light-Sport Repairmen
FAA Order 8000.84
Flight Standards Handbook Bulletin for Airworthiness (HBAW)
BULLETIN NUMBER: HBAW 04-08
BULLETIN TITLE: Introduction to Chapters LSA and LSR: Certificate
Repairman for Light-Sport Aircraft, and Surveillance of Light-Sport Repairman
Training Facilities
We will not accept applications for repairman courses until January 3rd, 2005.
The guidance is provided in the FAA Order 8000.84 as to acceptable procedures
for submitting the course information to AFS-610.
We have also added two links in the FAA/Industry: UltraFlightRadio.com and SportPilot.com.
Marty
AFS 610
Martin Weaver
Manager, Light Sport Aviation Branch
10/7/04
FAA WORKS TO FINALIZE STUDENT SPORT PILOT APPLICATIONS
EAA www.sportpilot.org
FAA has amended its earlier statement
that sport pilot applications will not be accepted until January 15, 2005.
Today, FAA Light-Sport Aircraft Branch Manager, Martin Weaver, confirmed that
while the new FAA Form 8710-11, Airman Certificate and/or Rating
Application-Sport Pilot, which individuals seeking a sport pilot certificate
will use won't be available until January 1, 2005, it will be possible to begin
applying sooner. To do so, sport pilot applicants will use the current FAA
Airman Application, Form 8710-1. However, Weaver added that the FAA policies and
procedures required for designated pilot examiners and inspectors to issue
student pilot certificates won't be available until November 15, 2004, so no
action will be taken on any applications until those policies and procedures are
available.
He explained, "We do not currently have a policy explaining to flight
instructors what endorsements are required to solo a sport pilot student, nor do
we have the infrastructure in place as far as the practical test standards in
order to support the regulatory requirements. Additionally, FAA field offices
have not been given the required guidance on how to handle issuing student pilot
certificates."
Form 8710-1 is available for download on the
FAA website.
10/4/04
We have added the following milestone date information link to our
website. The date on the top of the page indicates the latest update of
information. As we complete projects and add them to our site for connectivity
we will update this link. The latest date is 09-28-04.
Light Sport Aviation Branch Target Dates
Marty
AFS 610
Martin Weaver
Manager, Light Sport Aviation Branch
9/28/04
It would be greatly appreciated if you can get it out to your
organizations the following status of the implementation plan:
Aircraft Registration - will begin on October 15th. The FAA Form 8050-2
Aircraft Bill of Sale and the FAA Form 8050-88A will be available on-line on
October 1st
Airman Certification - will begin January 15th, 2005. The new FAA Form 8710-11,
Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application - Sport Pilot will be available
January 1st, 2005.
AC 61.65, (revision) - Certification: Pilots and Flight and Ground Instructors -
is estimated to be available January 2005 to provide policy and guidance to
flight instructors for conducting proficiency checks and endorsement
requirements.
FAA Order 8710.X, Sport Pilot Examiner Handbook - is estimated to be available
in late-October to establish the Sport Pilot Examiner program.
FAA Form 8710-12, Light-Sport Standardization Board - Designated Pilot Examiner
Candidate Application is estimated to be available by November 1st.
Whenever a publication or form becomes available we will notify everyone on this
list. Hopefully you will be able to get the word out to the sport aviation
public.
We have been receiving a lot of phone calls and e-mail messages asking about the
above issues. Unfortunately we have had some enthusiastic instructors trying to
conduct proficiency checks before the system is in place. As everyone knows the
more informed we keep the public with timely information the better it will be
for the entire program. Please feel free to call if you have any concerns or
questions.
Marty
AFS 610
Martin Weaver
Manager, Light Sport Aviation Br
Key words - Sport Pilot Light Sport Aircraft Knowledge Test Live Internet Ground School
