Sport Pilot Talk

I have noticed somewhere someone said it is more expensive to certify and maintain a plane that was not initially manufactured as light sport than it is a true light sport. Planes such as Aercoupes and Aeroncas and the like.

What are the differences, (besides the cost of maintaining an old plane) between the two? Are things like annuals and certifications more expensive if you purchase one of the older planes that "qualify" as light sport?

Thanks

Just shopping.

As a sport pilot you can not do ant maintenance on a standard category airplane, but you can do preventative maintenance on a SLSA that you own that is not being used commercially if allowed by the manufacture.

True, but I would also point out that anyone can do maintenance on an aircraft if they are supervised and signed off by an A&P. And it must be an A&P, Light Sport Repairmen don't have that privilege.

First off, let's standardize terminology. There are four categories of planes that a Sport Pilot can fly: Special LSA (S-LSA), Experimental LSA (E-LSA), certain Experimental-Amateur Built (E-AB) aircraft that meet the LSA performance limitations, and certain certified aircraft that similarly meet the LSA performance limitations. There are some nice antiques (certain Cubs, Champs, Ercoupes, Taylorcraft, Luscombes, etc.) that fall in the latter category. We should properly call them Sport Pilot Eligible aircraft. But, even though Sport Pilots can fly them, they are not LSAs. They are still certified aircraft, and they have to follow the maintenance rules that apply to certified aircraft.

This means that a Sport Pilot who is the owner/operator of a certified aircraft cannot perform preventive maintenance (although Private pilots and above can). It means that a Light Sport repairman with a maintenance rating cannot do their maintenance (that requires an A&P). An LSA repairman with an inspection rating cannot do annual inspections on one of those (they have to be done by an A&P with an Inspection Authorization).

Bottom line: only an S-LSA or E-LSA is actually an LSA.

_________________
The opinions expressed in this post are those of one CFI, and do not necessarily represent the position of the FAA or its lawyers.
Prof. H. Paul Shuch, Ph.D., CFII, LSRM-A/GL/WS
AvSport of Lock Haven
http://AvSport.org fly@AvSport.org

Thanks, That helps.

Just to be more clear...

when discussing which "experimental" aircraft a Sport Pilot may fly, it's not limited to any one kind, such as Amateur Built. A Sport Pilot can fly any of the experimental types out there, as long as the experimental meets the 1.1 definition of LSA. I only mention this because there are other experimentals out there, besides amateur-built. Most commonly seen is Exhibition category, but I've seen a few in the other categories as well.

A Sport Pilot can also fly a primary category aircraft, as long as it meets the 1.1 definition.

Bottom line, it really doesn't matter one single bit how an aircraft was certificated, or what the words typed on the airworthiness certificate are. If the aircraft meets the 1.1 definition, a sport pilot can fly it.

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- Bob
COMM, CFI, DPE, Light Sport Repairman/Maintenance
http://www.sportpilotinstructor.com

Completely true, Bob, with respect to flying. I was just trying to point out (and it's important to note) that maintenance (including such simple PM procedures as oil changes) is another matter entirely.

_________________
The opinions expressed in this post are those of one CFI, and do not necessarily represent the position of the FAA or its lawyers.
Prof. H. Paul Shuch, Ph.D., CFII, LSRM-A/GL/WS
AvSport of Lock Haven
http://AvSport.org fly@AvSport.org

So I was reading the FAA rules on maintenance and repair of light sport and let me get this clear. Does the rule mean that I can't even change the oil on my light sport unless I have Light sport repairman with maintenance rating???

Sorry so many questions but I really want to get this stuff staight.

Again, it all depends on how the LSA was certificated. On an experimental you can do anything you want maintenance-wise. An FAA rated person is only required for the annual condition inspection.

If it's an S-LSA, then you do have those few things in Part 43 you can do. After that, the manufacturer mandates take over.

If it's a standard category plane, then you pretty much can't do anything (unless signed off by an A&P).

_________________
- Bob
COMM, CFI, DPE, Light Sport Repairman/Maintenance
http://www.sportpilotinstructor.com

If you have a chief or champ or something of that sort, you CAN change your oil yourself.

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"Keep on Draggin"

Not as a Sport Pilot, you can't. The Preventive Maintenance list in the AC 43-13 appendix says it only applies if you have a Private Pilot license or above, and are the owner/operator.

_________________
The opinions expressed in this post are those of one CFI, and do not necessarily represent the position of the FAA or its lawyers.
Prof. H. Paul Shuch, Ph.D., CFII, LSRM-A/GL/WS
AvSport of Lock Haven
http://AvSport.org fly@AvSport.org

"AC 43" is not where this is found. It's found in 14 CFR 43.3. And that does not say "private". It only says someone with a pilot certificate issued under Part 61, other than a sport pilot. I would say that means recreational pilot and private pilots. The "owner/operator" part is correct.

_________________
- Bob
COMM, CFI, DPE, Light Sport Repairman/Maintenance
http://www.sportpilotinstructor.com

Well, Bob, that's where the appendix is that lists permitted Preventive Maintenance tasks. However:



is indeed the correct regulation.



Interesting gray area there. Yes, that's the way I'd interpret 43.3. But somewhere else, don't the FARs limit rec pilots to PM on primary category aircraft only??

_________________
The opinions expressed in this post are those of one CFI, and do not necessarily represent the position of the FAA or its lawyers.
Prof. H. Paul Shuch, Ph.D., CFII, LSRM-A/GL/WS
AvSport of Lock Haven
http://AvSport.org fly@AvSport.org

No it's not. Preventive maintenance items are not found in "AC" (Advisory Circular) 43-anything. They are found in Appendix A of the regulation (14 CFR 43). That's the point I'm making. You want to point people to some AC, but that is not where the information is found.

Preventive Maintenance "items" are part of 14 CFR 43, Appendix A... not "AC 43-anything"



In 14 CFR 43, Appendix A, paragraph (c)(30), you will see something talking about primary category aircraft, and "private pilots". However, reading that complicated "attorney-written" paragraph, I get the impression that only applies when someone is using a "approved special inspection and preventive maintenance program"

I see no mention of Rec pilots vs Primary category preventive maintenance in Part 61 or 91.

_________________
- Bob
COMM, CFI, DPE, Light Sport Repairman/Maintenance
http://www.sportpilotinstructor.com

Well, Bob, you're the DPE, so I'll accept your interpretation. (I'm sure glad I'm not an attorney!)

_________________
The opinions expressed in this post are those of one CFI, and do not necessarily represent the position of the FAA or its lawyers.
Prof. H. Paul Shuch, Ph.D., CFII, LSRM-A/GL/WS
AvSport of Lock Haven
http://AvSport.org fly@AvSport.org