Certification of Pilots, Aircraft, and Repairmen for the Operation of Light Sport Aircraft
Notice of Proposed Rule Making
Docket number FAA-2001-11133-8

USUA supports all reasonable regulatory paths to fly ultralights under both FAA-recognized industry safety programs (Part 103) and General Aviation programs such as private pilot and experimental aircraft certification (Parts 61 & 91). Our government is now proposing another option under General Aviation rules that you should know about.

The FAA is proposing requirements for the certification, operation, maintenance, and manufacture of light-sport aircraft. Light-sport aircraft are often heavier and faster than ultralights and include airplanes, gliders, balloons, powered parachutes, weight-shift-control aircraft, and gyroplanes. This action is necessary to address advances in sport and recreational aviation technology, gaps in the existing regulations, and several petitions for rulemaking and for exemptions from existing regulations. The intended effect of this action is to provide for the manufacture of safe and economical aircraft and to allow operation of these aircraft by the public in a safe manner.

USUA members are asking for guidance about the FAA Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) entitled Light Sport Aircraft. USUA recommends that you not comment immediately. Instead, read the proposal and consider the thoughts of others as expressed at your local club meetings, at the flying field and at various Internet discussion groups.

The NPRM came out on February 5, 2002. The last day that FAA will accept comments is May 6, 2002, unless FAA extends the comment period (a common practice).

Do not be in a hurry to comment. Think out your feelings. Make an outline of the important topics then arrange them logically. Then begin to fill in the descriptive text for each topic.

Your personal needs are very important when evaluating this NPRM. Does FAA propose items that will help you and seem appropriate in your circumstances?

The NPRM is available online as a text file, and in Federal Register formats.

You can also get a copy by submitting a request to the Federal Aviation Administration, Office of Rulemaking, ARM-1, 800 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20591, or by calling (202) 267-9680. Make sure to identify the docket number or notice number of this rulemaking.

FAA also has a dedicated website for the NPRM that includes a brief description of the proposal and where to find information on "Voluntary Consensus Standards."

A popular ultralight discussion group is http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FLY-UL/. The Experimental trike group also has a lively discussion at groups.yahoo.com/group/ExpTrikes.

USUA will be updating this page frequently and will offer more and more specific guidance as the dust begins to settle. Meanwhile USUA recommends that you look and learn, but avoid the temptation to comment to FAA at this time.