FAA Approves Sport-Pilot License

Posted on July 21, 2004

Woo hoo! The FAA has just approved the new “sport pilot” license. This is a certification that bridges the gap between “ultralights” (very small, low-powered planes you can fly with almost no training) and real airplanes, which require a “real” pilot’s license and the commensurate training and expense obtaining such a license requires. Light-sport aircraft fall between these two extremes — they can weigh up to 600kg, carry up to 2 people (the pilot and one passenger), and fly at up to 120 knots in level flight, but the training requirements are far less than those for operating a traditional aircraft — only (if I’m remembering correctly) 15 hours flight training with an instructor, and an additional 5 hours solo.

This will hopefully put flying within the reach of a lot more people! I’ve been wanting to get back in the air ever since I did some work towards getting a pilot’s license when I was a teenager, but I’ve never been able to justify the expense. Maybe this is what I’ve been waiting for…