What are the pre-requisites to seek a Sport Pilot License (SPL)?
Four criteria apply:
- 1. Must be at least 17 years of age to take the FAA Practical Test (can begin training at 16).
- 2. Must have a valid state Driver’s License.
- 3. Must be proficient in the English language.
- 4. Requires either a 3rd-class FAA medical certificate or a current and valid U.S. Driver’s License as evidence of medical eligibility (provided the individual’s most recent application for an FAA medical certificate was not denied, revoked, suspended or withdrawn).
What are the elements of completing the training for an SPL?
Three things must be completed:
- 1. Must pass the FAA Sport Pilot Written Exam.
- 2. Must complete all required Sport Pilot flight training from an FAA-Certified Flight Instructor.
- 3. Must pass an FAA Oral and Practical Examination with and FAA Examiner (i.e., “Check-ride”).
Do I need an FAA Medical Certificate to become a Sport Pilot?
No. The Sport Pilot Rule requires EITHER an FAA 3rd Medical or a valid Driver’s License as evidence of medical fitness. Any limitation on a driver’s license must also be complied with while acting as a Sport Pilot. If, however, the holder of a Class III Medical is denied for medical reasons, then that person may not fly as a Sport Pilot.
What are the requirements to obtain a Sport Pilot License?
The following requirements are for an SPL:
- - At least 20 hours of flight time, including at least 15 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor, of which at least two hours are cross-country flight training.
- - Ten takeoffs and landings to a full stop (with a traffic pattern) at an airport.
- - Three hours of flight training in preparation for the practical flight test within 60 days of the practical flight test.
- - At least five hours of solo flight time in a single-engine airplane, including at least one solo cross-country flight of at least 75 nautical miles, with landings at a minimum of two points and one leg of at least 25 nautical miles.
- - A valid U.S. Driver’s License (not under suspension or revocation) or a 3rd Class Medical Certificate issued by an approved Medical Examiner.
What are the advantages to the SPL over a traditional Private Pilot License?
Sport Pilots are limited to daytime, recreational flying in good weather and away from congested, controlled airspace (unless you seek extra training and endorsements). Therefore, the additional transportation training normally associated with a Private Pilot License (i.e., night flying and controlled-airspace flying) can be safely omitted. The SPL allows new pilots to be safely flying within a recreational environment in half the time and for half the cost of the transportation-focused Private Pilot training. Once a Sport Pilot begins flying, all of the flight time can be applied to follow on ratings like the Private Pilot as experience increases. An SPL can be achieved in as little as ten days and for less than $4000 – approximately the same amount of time required for a scuba license.
Where can SPL training be completed?
Since the SPL is still relatively new, Sport Pilot training infrastructure is still growing. Transportation-focused flight training centers are available throughout the United States and many already offer Sport Pilot training. ICON will offer its customers Sport Pilot training in the A5 at authorized ICON Training Centers once production begins. The ICON Sport Pilot training will be an exciting and rigorous flight program designed specifically for sport and recreational flying.
What is the altitude limit for a Sport Pilot License holder?
LSA’s are not limited in altitude. However, the current altitude limit for a Sport Pilot is 10,000 ft. (There is a potential revision to the rules being proposed that would allow Sport Pilots to fly to whichever altitude is higher: 10,000 MSL or 2,000 AGL).
What airspace limitations are there for a Sport Pilot?
A Sport Pilot may not operate in Class A airspace (airspace above 18,000 MSL). A Sport Pilot must have an endorsement to operate in Class B, C or D airspace. The vast majority of the low altitude U.S. airspace below a few thousand is “uncontrolled,” virtually unutilized, and completely open to Sport Pilots.
Can a Sport Pilot fly in IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) conditions?
No. A Sport Pilot may not act as Pilot in Command (PIC) in IFR conditions.
Can a Sport Pilot fly at night?
No. A Sport Pilot may not act as PIC at night. “Night” is defined as end of civil evening twilight to beginning of morning civil twilight, (Approximately 30 minutes before sunrise and 30 minutes after sunset.)
Can a Sport Pilot fly “for hire” (as a commercial business)?
No. A Sport Pilot may not act as PIC of a Light Sport Aircraft that is carrying a passenger or property for compensation or hire.
As a Sport Pilot, do I need a seaplane rating (like SEL) to fly an LSA amphibian?
No. Flying an amphibian LSA does not require an additional seaplane rating; however, you would need a seaplane endorsement. An endorsement is a logbook entry signed by a certified flight instructor (CFI) verifying that you have received the appropriate seaplane training and are qualified to operate an LSA seaplane. This could normally be accomplished in just a few days of additional flight training.
If I already have a Private Pilot License with an SEL rating, do I need a Sport Pilot License or any additional training to fly the A5?
No. As a licensed Private Pilot, you would not need an additional SPL. If you are already a Private Pilot holding a seaplane rating (SES), you do not need any additional training to fly an LSA seaplane. If you are a Private Pilot or higher and do not hold a seaplane rating, you will need the LSA seaplane training endorsement before flying an LSA seaplane. ICON will be offering water flying training to all A5 owners at aircraft delivery.