Sport Pilot, Sport Aircraft, Flight School, Flight Training, Flying Lessons, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Bucks County, Flight Instruction, Aircraft Rental

The FAA created the sport pilot license and sport aircraft category in 2004 to make the thrill, satisfaction, and exctement of aviation available to more people by reducing the complexity and cost of flying. The FAA defines Light Sport Aircraft as follows:

Maximum gross takeoff weight-1,320 lbs (599 kg.), 1,430 lbs for seaplanes.

Lighter-than-air light-sport aircraft maximum gross weight-660 lbs (300 kg.)

Maximum stall speed-51 mph (45 knots)

Maximum speed in level flight with maximum continuous power (Vh)-138 mph (120 knots)

Two-place maximum (pilot and one passenger)

Single, non-turbine engine only, includes rotary or diesel engines

Fixed or ground adjustable propeller

Unpressurized cabin

Fixed landing gear

Repositionable landing gear for seaplanes allowing the wheels to be rotated for amphibious operation.

Can be manufactured and sold ready-to-fly under a new Special Light-Sport aircraft certification without FAR Part 23 compliance. Aircraft must meet consensus standards. Aircraft under this certification may be used for sport and recreation, flight training, and aircraft rental.

Can be licensed Experimental Light-Sport Aircraft (E-LSA) if kit- or plans-built. Aircraft under this certification may be used only for sport and recreation and flight instruction for the owner of the aircraft.

Can be licensed Experimental Light-Sport Aircraft (E-LSA) if it was kit- or plans-built and operated as an ultralight trainers. Aircraft must be transitioned to E-LSA category no later than January 31, 2008.

Will have FAA registration-N-number.

Aircraft category and class includes: Airplane (Land/Sea), Gyroplane, Airship, Balloon, Weight-Shift-Control (Trike Land/Sea), and Powered Parachute.

U.S. or foreign manufacture of light-sport aircraft is authorized.

Aircraft with a standard airworthiness certificate that meet above specifications may be flown by sport pilots. However, that airworthiness certification category will not be changed to a light-sport aircraft. Holders of a sport pilot certificate may fly an aircraft with a standard airworthiness certificate if it meets the definition of a light-sport aircraft. May be operated at night if the aircraft is equipped per FAR 91.209 and the pilot holds at least a Private Pilot certificate and a minimum of a third-class medical.