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What really happens to a transitioning "Utralight Pilot" on
January 31, 2007?Larry W. Clymer
Manager, Light-Sport Aviation Branch
Are you confused on what happens if you are an ultralight pilot and you have not
made the transition to a sport pilot?
Have you been told that your "letter from your ultralight organization is no
longer valid?" Well, you are not alone!
There has been a lot of confusion on what really happens if an ultralight pilot
does not obtain their sport pilot certificate on or
before the January 31, 2007 cutoff date referenced in 14 CFR 61.329(a)(1).
To clarify, this deadline only applies to ultralight pilots who have been
registered with one of the four
FAA recognized organizations on or prior to September 1, 2004. If you are not
one of these pilots this date does not apply to you.
To understand this rule you
will need to break 61.329(a) into two parts.
Firstly, Part 61.329(a)(1) describes the approaching deadline and only applies
to ultralight pilots who
were part of a recognized organization on or prior to September 1, 2004.
Secondly, Part 61.329(a)(2) applies to anyone who has registered as an ultralight pilot after September 1, 2004.
In reality the special provisions provided for in 61.329(a)(1) expire on January 31, 2007.
Effective
February 1, 2007:
1. You must have the
aeronautical knowledge requirements specified in 61.309.
This means you must now receive and log ground training from an authorized
instructor
or complete a home-study course on the applicable aeronautical knowledge areas
for a sport pilot.
2. You must have the flight
proficiency requirements specified in 61.311.
At which time,you must receive and log ground and flight training from an
authorized instructor on the
appropriate areas of operation for the category of light-sport aircraft being
sought.
3. You must have the
aeronautical experience requirements specified in 61.313.
At which time, you must log the flight experience required for the applicable
category of
light-sport aircraft for which you seek to obtain a sport pilot certificate.
4. You will no longer be able
to use the knowledge test for a flight instructor certificate to obtain a sport
pilot certificate.
If you have only taken the flight instructor knowledge test, you will also be
required to take
the sport pilot knowledge test for your category of light-sport aircraft.
5. You will no longer be able
to obtain an endorsement for each category, class, and make and model of
aircraft listed on your ultralight pilot records.
You will have to take and pass a proficiency check for each additional category
and class of light-sport aircraft being sought.
Does this mean you will be able to use the logged aeronautical experience you
have obtained as an ultralight pilot?
The answer to this question is yes, 14 CFR 61.52 authorizes you to use your ultralight flight
experience. One misinterpretation of 61.52 is that the ultralight flight experience obtained
while a member of a FAA recognized ultralight organization is ONLY valid until January, 31
2007 for pilots or January 31, 2008 for flight instructors. This is not the case, your
aeronautical experience obtain under 61.52 is good forever! Your organizational
membership letter and your logbook will qualify as proof of your experience. Therefore, you
will need to keep these documents until you have obtained the certificates and/or ratings
being sought.
The aeronautical experience obtained in an ultralight vehicle however, can ONLY be used to
meet the requirements for a sport pilot certificate, a flight instructor certificate with a sport pilot
rating and a private pilot certificate with a weight-shift-control or powered parachute category
rating. This experience CANNOT be used for any other FAA certificates or ratings.
This time must have been logged
in accordance with the provisions for logging aeronautical
experience specified by a FAA recognized ultralight organization and in
accordance with provisions for
logging pilot time in an aircraft as specified in 61.51.
You must have obtained this experience as a registered ultralight pilot with one of the FAA recognized ultralight organizations.
Who are the four FAA recognized ultralight organizations?
ASC – Aero Sports Connection
EAA – Experimental Aircraft Association
USHPA – United States Hang Gliding and Para Gliding Association
USUA – United States Ultralight Association
While there has been some
confusion about the transition for both ultralight pilots and vehicles,
it is important that you understand the process and how it will affect you,
especially if you are a transitioning pilot.
The Light-Sport Aviation
Branch, AFS-610, is here to support you in answering questions about light sport
aviation topics.
Please give us a call at (405) 954-6400.
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