An audio feed of the Press Conference was archived by UltraFlight Radio. Listen to it here.
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| (L to R) FAA's Jim Ballough, Ron, Wojnar, Marion Blakey Announce Sport Pilot |
This morning at about 10:30 AM eastern time, to a room full of press and ultralight organization representatives (including USUA EVP Dale Hooper), the Sport Pilot/Light Sport Aircraft rule was officially announced by FAA Administrator Marion Blakey. Describing this new rule as "really great news", Ms. Blakey went on to say that "effective September 1st, the FAA begins to certify Sport Pilots, and their aircraft. This Sport Pilot/Light Sport Aircraft rule reduces the barriers to becoming a pilot and an aircraft owner while assuring that safety will always be the priority."
An over view of the rule was given by Administrator Blakey, Ron Wojnar (Deputy Director, Aircraft Certification Service) and Jim Ballough (Director, Flight Standards Service), followed by a brief question and answer period. The official FAA Press Release, describing more details can be found at FAA News.
According to the rule, Light Sport Aircraft are: airplanes, gliders, gyroplanes, balloons, airships, weight shift control (trikes), and powered parachutes. Helicopters and powered lifts are excluded because of complexity.
The new rule describes Light Sport Aircraft as:
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| Blakey Trying On A Powered Parachute For Size |
Outside, on the sidewalk of 800 Independence Avenue (home of FAA Headquarters) was displayed an Airborne Trike (owned by Wayne Kerr- USUA 80468), A Kitfox IV (owned by Doug Kelly), and a Powrachute Pegasus (owned by John Yonkin- USUA 83730). As to be expected, these airplanes drew much attention, and caused quite a stir in downtown Washington DC. After the press conference, a photo session was held featuring these Light Sport Aircraft type airplanes. Administrator Blakey tried them all on for size.
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| The Kitfox & Powered Parachute Were The First To Arrive |
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| Dale Hooper (USUA) & Jim Stephenson (ASC), and An Airborne Trike |
USUA Comment:
Sport Pilot has been a long time coming, and the look of calm relief on the face of FAA National Program Manager of Sport and Recreational Aviation, Sue Gardner, this morning, was refreshing. Now, after so many months of being required to keep silent about the finished rule, she, and others, are finally able to relax. But that relaxed attitude can't last for very long. They are now able to discuss the rule (for months they were legally bound to secrecy), and provide assistance in its implementation. She, and others will be a big help to USUA members in the coming weeks.
USUA supports the Sport Pilot/Light Sport aircraft rule, and encourages members to download the finished rule at the links below, and become familiar with it. If you will be flying an aircraft that fits the described Light Sport Aircraft definitions, you will soon be required to be intimate with this rule. USUA will help in your transition, Staff and the legal department are reviewing the document, and will soon be offering clarifications of it's intricacies, along with guidance for members wishing to become Sport Pilots. Guidance for existing ultralight instructors will also be forthcoming. Ongoing meetings between USUA and FAA concerning implementation issues will also provide many answers to your questions. As advised earlier, USUA members are advised to complete ALL ultralight airmen (both pilot and instructor) registrations, to be able to get credit for the special provisions set up by FAA for holders of these ratings.
With the announcement of Sport Pilot, this obvious question comes up- What will happen to Part 103? FAA reiterated today, that Part 103 will remain unchanged. However, let's be clear- a Part 103 legal ultralight vehicle is defined as:
If this is your airplane, you are eligible to continue operating under Part 103. If you choose to operate, or to continue to operate, as an ultralight, the United States ULTRALIGHT Association will be there to help and represent you. We are proud of our ultralight roots, and we will not abandon them- or you.
We were there for you then, we are there for you now, and we will be there for you tomorrow.
Dale Hooper
EVP, USUA (Member A1953)