The Fastest Way to Get Off the Ground - Fly, and Become a Pilot By Jeffrey Synk |
Often people I talk to are enthralled that I fly for a living. I get to go to the airport, fly a jet airplane and I get paid for it. Not a bad life! Almost everyone I have ever talked to admits an interest in learning to fly at one point or another.
Can you blame them? Flying an airplane is an awesome experience! It's romantic. It's fun! For a long time, it was the "Final Frontier" for the ordinary person.The unachievable! A dream that only other people made real.
Then I ask them, "Why haven't you learned to fly?"
Usually they hem and haw and give reasons like: no money, no time, other commitments, too complicated...and the list goes on. I can understand and appreciate all of these reasons...but...becoming a pilot is more achievable now than ever before by becoming what is called a "Sport Pilot."
So, in this article, we will discuss what a Sport Pilot is, some of the limitations, training, and privileges of being a Sport Pilot, physical requirements, and the different types of aircraft you would be allowed to fly.
What is a "Sport Pilot" Certificate?
In October 2004, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) began the "Sport Pilot" certification program due to a drastic decrease in the number of people becoming pilots. The FAA had to devise a simpler, less expensive way for people to become pilots than the traditional way. Until 2004, there were only four basic types of fixed-wing (airplane) pilot certificates available to would-be pilots:
- Student Pilot (beginner)
- Private Pilot (novice; fly passengers and at night)
- Commercial Pilot (intermediate; fly for hire)
- Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) (master; fly for an airline, in general)
The result, a "lighter" version of a Private Pilot's certificate called the "Sports Pilot" certificate that gives you the training and the certification to fly but is custom-made for the non-fulltime, aircraft specific, occasional pilot. This is a great response to the need for a type of pilot's certificate that is not so concentrated on a career in aviation or on the heavier level of responsibility and learning that a Private Pilot's certificate brings with it but allows people to get out and fly.
Sport Pilot: Limitations, Training, and Privileges
The age restrictions for a Sports Pilot certificate are pretty much the same as a Private Pilot's certificate. You have to be at least 17 years old for airplanes and anything else. If you are at least 16 years old, you can fly a glider or balloon. There is no upper age limit for a Sport Pilot as long as you are healthy and have a driver's license. More on this in a bit.
As for training, you still have to go through flight and ground school training and take a practical test (checkride) with a designated pilot examiner (DPE) but the number of flight training hours is not as numerous and the written test is customized to the less demanding level of flying you are pursuing.
The Sports Pilot certificate is also more restrictive than a Private Pilot certificate but it allows you to enjoy flying lighter aircraft for short flights under certain circumstances. This fits the "joy ride" desire that is exactly what attracts people to flying in the first place.
The basic limitations of a Sport Pilot are:
- Operate in the daytime only
- Must have three miles of visibility and must be able to see the ground
- Must operate in Class G and E airspace only but can include additional airspaces with proper training and endorsements
- Cannot fly for compensation or hire, but you can share expenses such as the aircraft rental and gas
- Maximum level flight speed in a sport aircraft is 87 knots (or 100 mph) but can be increased to 120 knots (or 138 mph) with additional training and endorsements
- Must fly below 10,000 feet mean sea level (MSL)
- May only fly in the United States
- May carry only one passenger if the aircraft is equipped with two seats
Physical Requirements
One of the unique aspects of a Sport Pilot is that under certain circumstances you don't have to take a FAA physical exam like Private Pilot's do but a valid driver's license may be sufficient to indicate health eligibility.
However, one of the caveat's to this rule is that if you have failed your most recent FAA medical exam and it was never rectified or your FAA medical certificate was revoked or suspended, then you need to have that cleared up first before you can become a Sport Pilot. It may just be a matter of getting some more tests done or submitting new paperwork. Check with an FAA medical examiner if this has happened to you.
But, if you have never taken an FAA physical and are in good health, then your driver's license may be enough. Check with a certificated flight instructor (CFI) if you have any questions.
The Aircraft You Can Fly
One of the best things about being a Sport Pilot is the wide variety of aircraft that you can learn to fly. The aircraft you are certified to fly as a Sport Pilot are called Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) and include:
- Two Passenger Airplanes
- Gliders
- Weight-Shift Control Aircraft
- Powered Parachute
- Newly Manufactured Ready-To-Fly Aircraft
- Some Manufactured Kit-Built Aircraft
- Hot Air Balloons
There are several other characteristics associated with LSA's, but it is easier to just say that they are low, slow, and simple to operate aircraft. And just think, within a few weeks, you could be flying one of them. Unfortunately, helicopters and powered-lift aircraft are excluded because they are more difficult to fly. If you wanted to fly one of these, then you would have to get a Private Pilot's certificate.
A Few More Thoughts
One of the best things about a Sport's Pilot certificate is that once you have your certificate, whenever you feel the desire to fly, you can head to the airport, rent an aircraft, take a friend up for a flight (or go by yourself), tour the local landscape, or enjoy a quick flight to a neighboring town for lunch. A Sport Pilot certificate is by far the fastest way to get up in the air and start flying quickly and inexpensively.
Another great thing is that you can get a Sports Pilot's certificate and begin enjoying flying as much or little as you want and stay at that level as long as you want. But, if at some point down the road, you want to move on to a Private Pilot's certificate, all the training you have put towards your Sport Pilot certificate is credited towards your Private Pilot license, so basically you just have to "upgrade" your training to the more advanced certification.
Conclusion
In this article we covered several of the most important items associated with becoming a Sport Pilot which included some of the limitations, training, and privileges of being a Sport Pilot, physical requirements and about the different types of aircraft you would be allowed to fly. I hope it has answered a few questions and has gotten you excited about the renewed possibility of you becoming a pilot
So what is stopping you now? It is easier than ever to become a pilot and start flying.
If you would like more information on becoming a Sport Pilot visit the FAA's Sport Pilot website at: http://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/airmen_certification/sport_pilot/.
Can you blame them? Flying an airplane is an awesome experience! It's romantic. It's fun! For a long time, it was the "Final Frontier" for the ordinary person.The unachievable! A dream that only other people made real.
Then I ask them, "Why haven't you learned to fly?"
Usually they hem and haw and give reasons like: no money, no time, other commitments, too complicated...and the list goes on. I can understand and appreciate all of these reasons...but...becoming a pilot is more achievable now than ever before by becoming what is called a "Sport Pilot."
So, in this article, we will discuss what a Sport Pilot is, some of the limitations, training, and privileges of being a Sport Pilot, physical requirements, and the different types of aircraft you would be allowed to fly.
What is a "Sport Pilot" Certificate?
In October 2004, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) began the "Sport Pilot" certification program due to a drastic decrease in the number of people becoming pilots. The FAA had to devise a simpler, less expensive way for people to become pilots than the traditional way. Until 2004, there were only four basic types of fixed-wing (airplane) pilot certificates available to would-be pilots:
- Student Pilot (beginner)
- Private Pilot (novice; fly passengers and at night)
- Commercial Pilot (intermediate; fly for hire)
- Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) (master; fly for an airline, in general)
The result, a "lighter" version of a Private Pilot's certificate called the "Sports Pilot" certificate that gives you the training and the certification to fly but is custom-made for the non-fulltime, aircraft specific, occasional pilot. This is a great response to the need for a type of pilot's certificate that is not so concentrated on a career in aviation or on the heavier level of responsibility and learning that a Private Pilot's certificate brings with it but allows people to get out and fly.
Sport Pilot: Limitations, Training, and Privileges
The age restrictions for a Sports Pilot certificate are pretty much the same as a Private Pilot's certificate. You have to be at least 17 years old for airplanes and anything else. If you are at least 16 years old, you can fly a glider or balloon. There is no upper age limit for a Sport Pilot as long as you are healthy and have a driver's license. More on this in a bit.
As for training, you still have to go through flight and ground school training and take a practical test (checkride) with a designated pilot examiner (DPE) but the number of flight training hours is not as numerous and the written test is customized to the less demanding level of flying you are pursuing.
The Sports Pilot certificate is also more restrictive than a Private Pilot certificate but it allows you to enjoy flying lighter aircraft for short flights under certain circumstances. This fits the "joy ride" desire that is exactly what attracts people to flying in the first place.
The basic limitations of a Sport Pilot are:
- Operate in the daytime only
- Must have three miles of visibility and must be able to see the ground
- Must operate in Class G and E airspace only but can include additional airspaces with proper training and endorsements
- Cannot fly for compensation or hire, but you can share expenses such as the aircraft rental and gas
- Maximum level flight speed in a sport aircraft is 87 knots (or 100 mph) but can be increased to 120 knots (or 138 mph) with additional training and endorsements
- Must fly below 10,000 feet mean sea level (MSL)
- May only fly in the United States
- May carry only one passenger if the aircraft is equipped with two seats
Physical Requirements
One of the unique aspects of a Sport Pilot is that under certain circumstances you don't have to take a FAA physical exam like Private Pilot's do but a valid driver's license may be sufficient to indicate health eligibility.
However, one of the caveat's to this rule is that if you have failed your most recent FAA medical exam and it was never rectified or your FAA medical certificate was revoked or suspended, then you need to have that cleared up first before you can become a Sport Pilot. It may just be a matter of getting some more tests done or submitting new paperwork. Check with an FAA medical examiner if this has happened to you.
But, if you have never taken an FAA physical and are in good health, then your driver's license may be enough. Check with a certificated flight instructor (CFI) if you have any questions.
The Aircraft You Can Fly
One of the best things about being a Sport Pilot is the wide variety of aircraft that you can learn to fly. The aircraft you are certified to fly as a Sport Pilot are called Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) and include:
- Two Passenger Airplanes
- Gliders
- Weight-Shift Control Aircraft
- Powered Parachute
- Newly Manufactured Ready-To-Fly Aircraft
- Some Manufactured Kit-Built Aircraft
- Hot Air Balloons
There are several other characteristics associated with LSA's, but it is easier to just say that they are low, slow, and simple to operate aircraft. And just think, within a few weeks, you could be flying one of them. Unfortunately, helicopters and powered-lift aircraft are excluded because they are more difficult to fly. If you wanted to fly one of these, then you would have to get a Private Pilot's certificate.
A Few More Thoughts
One of the best things about a Sport's Pilot certificate is that once you have your certificate, whenever you feel the desire to fly, you can head to the airport, rent an aircraft, take a friend up for a flight (or go by yourself), tour the local landscape, or enjoy a quick flight to a neighboring town for lunch. A Sport Pilot certificate is by far the fastest way to get up in the air and start flying quickly and inexpensively.
Another great thing is that you can get a Sports Pilot's certificate and begin enjoying flying as much or little as you want and stay at that level as long as you want. But, if at some point down the road, you want to move on to a Private Pilot's certificate, all the training you have put towards your Sport Pilot certificate is credited towards your Private Pilot license, so basically you just have to "upgrade" your training to the more advanced certification.
Conclusion
In this article we covered several of the most important items associated with becoming a Sport Pilot which included some of the limitations, training, and privileges of being a Sport Pilot, physical requirements and about the different types of aircraft you would be allowed to fly. I hope it has answered a few questions and has gotten you excited about the renewed possibility of you becoming a pilot
So what is stopping you now? It is easier than ever to become a pilot and start flying.
If you would like more information on becoming a Sport Pilot visit the FAA's Sport Pilot website at: http://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/airmen_certification/sport_pilot/.
Jeffrey is a captain at regional airline and is based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He flies the CRJ200, CRJ700, and CRJ900. He holds an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate, a CL-65 (CRJ200) type rating, and is a Gold Seal Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI). He has over 4000 hours total flight time.
He writes the blog "Almost the Speed of Sound" (http://www.flycrj.com) which is about his experiences, insights, and thoughts about being an airline captain and flight instructor. He is also the author of "The CRJ Quicknotes Study Guide" which is available at http://www.flycrj.com/order.html
He writes the blog "Almost the Speed of Sound" (http://www.flycrj.com) which is about his experiences, insights, and thoughts about being an airline captain and flight instructor. He is also the author of "The CRJ Quicknotes Study Guide" which is available at http://www.flycrj.com/order.html
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeffrey_Synk
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