Sport Pilot Talk

High Altitude · Joined: 20 Jun 2009 Posts: 22

Right now I am researching what I need to do to get my Sport Pilot student certificate issued and have some questions. I am going to call my local FSDO tomorrow and see what they say, but thought I would ask anyway.

Box M on the form asks, "Do you know hold, or have you ever held an FAA Pilot Certificate?"

In 1993 I was issued a 3rd class medical and student pilot certificate, but never obtained my PP license.

Is this medical and student pilot certificate considered a FAA Pilot Certificate so that I should answer the question Yes?

Section III of the form is "Record of Pilot Time"

Do I need to include my past logged piloting time in this section even though I never obtained any type of pilot license and I am only applying for a student pilot certificate?

bryancobb · Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2011 5:46 am Post subject: Answers

The "Certificate" you previously held was FAA Form 8420-2 which IS called "MEDICAL CERTIFICATE 3RD CLASS AND STUDENT PILOT CERTIFICATE". so the answer to your 1st question is YES.

All flight time that you legally logged in your prior training will ALWAYS be countable toward aeronautical experience, so the answer to your 2nd question is also YES.

N918KT · Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2011 6:35 am Post subject:

So when you go to the FSDO to get a Student SP Certificate application form, what questions do they usually ask you? Will the applicant be interviewed by the FSDO staff, just like an AME interviews a pilot for his medical? If so, what exactly would the staff interview you about?

Jon V · Joined: 21 Apr 2011 Posts: 156 Location: Dallas...

I had exactly the same questions. Yes yes.

Side note: Don't be surprised if the folks at the FSDO aren't sure about such things. I was told by my local FSDO that student certs don't expire and wound up quoting CFR part and section to them before getting my SP student cert. I They don't deal with a lot of students.

There wasn't an interview or questions really. The only conversation we had beyond basic "I have an appointment with... " "sign here" type stuff was just to be polite as we waited for a laser printer or the like.

SSDriver · Joined: 15 Apr 2011 Posts: 31 Location: NJ

Kevin,
Your probably going to use the same FSDO I went too if your in North Jersey which is Teterboro (or you can go to Phili) But you need to call them ahead of time and schedule an appointment. They wont take walk ins. Take your Birth Certificate, Photo ID and the 8710 form with you. The process took about 3 minutes.

They aren't real talkative. Show them your form and ID, they'll type up the tiny Student Certificate, the inspector will sign it, you'll sign it and your back out to battle the traffic getting home! LOL :wink:

N918KT · Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2011 10:07 am Post subject:

Thanks for the answer, you two!!!

I'm not applying for the student SP certificate yet, I know that I can do it just before I solo. I just want to know what to expect when getting that student SP certificate.

bryancobb · Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2011 10:24 am Post subject: DPE

Your local Pilot Examiner (DPE) can give it to you also. You don't have to go to the FSDO unless it's more convenient.

drseti · Joined: 28 Nov 2009 Posts: 1390 Location: Lock Haven PA

High Altitude wrote: Is this medical and student pilot certificate considered a FAA Pilot Certificate so that I should answer the question Yes?

As already mentioned by others, the answer is Yes. Not a big deal; lots of folks have medical/student certificates that have expired. The reason for the question is to let FAA know whether they already have a record of you in their database. They do (but don't let that intimidate you; it's not like having an FBI file! :wink: )

Quote: Do I need to include my past logged piloting time in this section

In applying for a student certificate, you're not required to fill out Section III at all. You can, but it's not relevant. Only becomes important when you fill out the 8710 again prior to taking your practical test, because flight time is then required. So, although you can put in the hours, you can also leave section III blank (and probably should, IMHO).

High Altitude · Joined: 20 Jun 2009 Posts: 22

Thanks for the help guys.

It's a good thing I still have my log book, prior student certificate etc...