SPORT PILOT (Again)

[SweatHog]

Looks like my first post didn't take.

I understand the "Sport Pilot" Certificate does NOT require a medical. What's up with that? Are there any restictions on that licence compared to the "Private Pilot" Cert. Just wondering.

 

[Princedietrich]

A sport pilot can use a current and valid driver's liscense in lieu of a medical. The caveat is that you can never have been DENIED a medical in the past. For example, if I apply for a medical but I get denied because of a heart murmur or something, I cannot fly sport pilot with my driver's liscense. But, if I have a valid medical and just let it expire, or if I never apply for one at all, I can fly sport pilot with my driver's liscense.

Privelages are extended only to operating an aircraft in the light sport category, and there is a laundry list of requirements that the aircraft must meet. Max number of seats, max speed, max GTOW, things like that. FAR 61.315 spells out all of the privelages for sport pilot certificate. There's a big list in there of 19 "may nots" that I'm not going to type out because it'll take all day.

Hope that helps.

 

[SweatHog]

Thanks very much for the info. I'll look that up.