12/19/04         FAA Issues LSA-DAR Application Procedure

12/13/2004   

To earn the ASC recommendation, you must have applied for the recommendation and process your application through ASC.   For details see DAR-LSA  

The FAA released the new orders that describe the process and required applications for those individuals that wish to apply to be appointed as new Designated Airworthiness Representatives for Light Sport, Experimental Light Sport and Special Light Sport categories.  According to the FAA, “this order provides policy and guidance that revises Designated Airworthiness Representative (DAR) qualification criteria for amateur-built aircraft, establishes new criteria for light-sport aircraft airworthiness certification activities.”  

With the issuance of this order FAA 8130.33, the existing FAA Amateur-Built DAR application process will be combined with the new LSA-DAR procedure.  This new directive makes the National Examiner Board (NEB) responsible for creating and maintaining a national designee candidate pool, which contains the application files of all DAR applicants who meet applicable requirements for the designation sought.  Flight Standards (FSDO) and Manufacturing Inspection District Offices (MIDO), on determination of need will be able to request a list of qualified candidates from the NEB.   

If you are interested in becoming a Designated Airworthiness Representative (DAR) for either or all of the FAA function codes (Amateur Built, Code 46, Light Sport or Experimental Light Sport, Code 47, or Special LSA or SLSA, Code 48) this process is outlined below.   

1.       Obtain form 8110-14 from the FAA Website.

2.       Print out forms Amateur-Built and Light Sport Qualification, FAA Form 8130.33, Appendix 1.

3.       Obtain a recommending letter from your organization. Call or email ASC, kimojim@aol.com or call 269-781-4021.

4.       Three verifiable character references.  Fill out the forms, page 13 FAA Form 8130.33, one for each reference.  Note:  there is a form that compiles all the references that will be used for both technical and character, and must be filled out also.

5.       Three verifiable technical references.  Fill out the forms on page 10 FAA Form 8130.33, one for each reference.

6.       Take the AB/LSA DAR Applicant General Knowledge test, located on pages 14-19 of FAA Order 8130.33, Appendix 1.

Submit your package through ASC where it will be combined with your earlier application for ASC recommendation.

 Then the following steps apply:

1. NEB reviews and accepts candidates for the DAR pool.  If you do not qualify you will be notified.
2. NEB ranks the candidates by region of home address.
3. FSDOs and MIDOs request DAR candidates from the NEB
4. FSDOs and MIDOs review the candidates and select.
5. Candidates take a three day course to qualify as a DAR.
6. FSDOs and MIDOs initialize the new DARs and monitor the first inspection.
7. DARs may only work outside their region with approval of both the home office and the other region office.

Make sure you complete the entire application correctly, in effect it is a test itself.  If you cannot fill out an application, you will not be able to fill out an airworthiness inspection set of forms.

To earn the ASC recommendation, you must have applied for the recommendation and process your application through ASC.   For details see DAR-LSA

Sport Pilot for ... Ultralight Pilots  SP for.. Ultralight Pilots

Sport Pilot for... FAA Pilots  SP for ... FAA Pilots

Sport Pilot for... BFIs  SP for... BFIs

Sport Pilot for ... Dealers  SP for ... Dealers

Sport Pilot for ... Manufacturers  SP for ... Manufacturers

Sport Pilot news SP News

DAR for LSA DAR-LSA

Sport Pilot Update

Suddenly, at least paper is flying.  There are so many things that need to happen for us to get started using Sport Pilot that sometimes it seems like they are just slow happening, at least until now.  Things are starting to move.  We need Designated Pilot Examiners (DPEs), Designated Airworthiness Representatives (DARs), Sport Pilot Instructors and a place to combine these resources to make them useable.  Now, for the first time, the paperwork is starting to move to get it all done.

DPEs

The first class of DPEs is planned for January 16-21. 2005.  With only 8 seats, a lot of hopefuls will not make the first class.  Other classes are coming in February and March, and so on.  The DPE applications will be handled on a continuing basis into the foreseeable future.  So get ready and apply as appropriate, if you want to be a professional examiner.

DARs

DARs are critical in helping us get aircraft in place that can be used for instruction.  For those owners who are Basic Flight Instructors, when they have their trainer registered as an N numbered aircraft, there will be special operating instructions that allow the aircraft “to be used for instruction” until January 31, 2010 .   We need DARs to inspect these aircraft.  Existing DARs need additional training to be able to inspect Experimental Light Sport Aircraft (ELSA) and also Special Light Sport Aircraft (SLSA).

Sport Pilot Instructors

As soon as we have two Sport Pilot CFIs in Powered parachutes or Trikes, we can begin transitioning existing Private Pilots to LSA.  Manufacturers should be wildly anxious to get these instructors available. 

When will we get them?  When we have examiners and aircraft in place is the answer.   It is starting to happen.  February 2005 will be the start of a new era.  April will be the “jump start” to make it all happen.

A Large Task Ahead

Even simple estimates indicate that we have some 16,000 pilots and 32,000 aircraft to bring into the system in just three years, and we do not even have all of that three years left!  Those of you hoping to avoid the three hours of special preparation for your check ride will have to transition within two years!   That is why ASC is working so hard to make the “Blitz Process” work. 

The Blitz as Tool

The Blitz is a place where we can use the tools to get the job done.  The FAA has made opportunities available, now we have to “jump start” the process to get it moving.  From Blitzes will come the new Sport Pilot CFIs.  From SP-CFIs will come the new students and endorsements and eventually certificated sport pilots.  Together we can make this work and dramatically improve all of light aviation.   The new answer is NOT GA , instead LSA.    Light Sport Aviation is the flight of the future we have all wanted.  Let us fly, not shirking our responsibility, but embracing our opportunity… Our freedom to fly, to fly responsibly as Sport Pilots!

See much more about the “Blitz Process” at our web site at www.aerosports.org  and throughout this magazine.

Jim Stephenson

President/CEO Aero Sports Connection

11/18/04  Martin Weaver
Manager, AFS-610

We have not been able to get the policy to the field concerning the issues
of a student pilot certificate for a sport pilot candidate as we had hoped
by November 15th.  In order to stop confusion and standardize the process
the following procedures will be used in order to accomplish this task.
The FAA Aviation Safety Inspector or a Designated Plot Examiner will use
the appropriate chapter in either FAA Order 8700.1 or FAA Order 8710.3 that
deals with issuing a Student Pilot Certificate (FAA Form 8710-2).  The
inspector or examiner will note on FAA Form 8710-1 the Other box in Section
I "Sport Pilot".  The application is processed in accordance with the
current guidance.

A briefing should be conducted by the inspector or examiner to the student
pilot applicant as to the limitations of a sport pilot student as defined
in 14 CFR 61.89(c).  Additional inspectors and examiners should discuss the
limitations with flight instructors that are providing training to sport
pilot students.

It is now anticipated that the guidance for the utilization of the new
Sport Pilot Airman Application (FAA-Form 8710-11) and the appropriate
endorsements will be available to the public by January.

11/7/04    From Martin Weaver, Manager, AFS-610

"The good news is that we [the FAA] are starting to receive a large number of applicants from Sport Pilot Examiner candidates.  Unfortunately a lot of the candidates are not reading the instruction sheet thoroughly.  We are
having to contact quite a few of them because they have not completed the form by answering all of the questions or have not included copies of the required documents listed in the instructions.  This will possibly delay these candidates from meeting the anticipated Light Sport Standardization Board starting November 29th.  Please pass on to your memberships that
their application and supporting documents need to be completed accurately in order for us to properly evaluate the individual's eligibility.  We will try to develop a checklist and have it posted on our web site by the end of this week.

Thanks for your support!!

From ASC,  We are waiting on many applications that have not been sent to us yet.  All ASC candidate applications will go through ASC to the FAA.  We will help make the applications as complete as possible.  But, with the late arrival of the FAA forms (only released on Oct. 19th) there is a distinct lack of time.  Please, all applicants, get your  Examiner Applications in to ASC soon.

Jim Stephenson

11/6/04  From Martin Weaver FAA Light Sport Aviation Branch -

Sample airman knowledge test questions have been posted on the http://afs600.faa.gov web site under "Airman Knowledge Tests."  Also shown are sample questions for Private weight-shift control and powered parachute.  The third group is for the sport pilot instructor and designated pilot examiners.  

The actual testing will begin December 1st.  Pilot examiner knowledge test authorizations will be issued by AFS-610 only.

Our plan is to have the practical test standards (flight test requirements) ready by December 1st.  

The new Sport Pilot Examiner Handbook (FAA Order 8710.7) is anticipated to be completed within the next couple of weeks.  When this is finished it will be posted on the AFS-610 web site.

11/3/04  The need for Letters of Recommendation is urgent.  Many people have offered to write letters or recommendation for our proposed DPEs and DARs and have failed to deliver.  Please use this guide to get your letters of reference done very soon.  Guide for Letters

10/22/04  New pamphlets available at FAA web http://afs600.faa.gov

• LSA Registration and Certification

• Sport Pilot Certification

• How to register a LSA

10/19/04  From Mary Weaver, FAA Light Sport Aviation Branch -

We are now ready to turn the Sport Pilot Examiner application process on. The new Light-Sport Standardization Board - Designated Pilot Examiner Candidate Application, FAA Form 8710-12, is now on the Light Sport Aviation Branch (AFS-610) web site afs600.faa.gov.  There is a four page instruction sheet at the beginning of the application.  It is imperative that candidates complete the application in its entirety in order to ensure that the application can be evaluated properly.  We will only accept original application forms.  The candidate is required to include copies of documents that must be contained in the package.  The mailing address is on the front page of the application.  Our goal is to have the first Light Sport Standardization Board during the first week of December.  This is predicated on the fact that the new Light Sport Standardization Charter is signed by the Director of Flight Standards (AFS-1) before December.  We are also still planning on conducting the first Sport Pilot Examiner Initial Course in January 2005.

The Sport Pilot Examiner Handbook, FAA Order 8710.7, will be available on the AFS-610 web site within a week.  This order has been signed by AFS-1 on October 18th.  This establishes the Sport Pilot Examiner program and gives guidance to Aviation Safety Inspectors and Sport Pilot Examiners in conducting practical tests at the sport pilot level.

From ASC-  If you strongly believe you will qualify for the ASC recommendation for DPE, please print and fill out the FAA Form 8710-12.  Sent it to ASC to catch up to your ASC recommendation application.   Those that do receive an ASC recommendation will be combined with ASC's recommendation, your other data and be forward to the FAA in time for the December LSSB meeting.

ASC will be sending letters to all applicant that earn an ASC recommendation asking that they fill out this form and send it to ASC in time to be batched with recommendations for FAA.

10/7/04  FAA releases Maintenance Training School requirements.  Direct link to Order No. 8000.84  Order No. 8000.84
ASC link Training Reqs

9/28/04  Sport Pilot and Light Sport Aircraft are a phased rule change.  That means some things will not be immediately available for use.  Here are some projected dates for required forms and information just released by the FAA's, Martian Weaver, Light Sport Aviation Branch.  
see  FAA Timeline

9/11/04  ASC Awards Sport Pilot Handbook Edition of Aero Connections Magazine (Oct) to Key FAA Team Members

Scott Toland, Sue Gardner, Jim Stephenson         Martin Weaver, Deb Stephenson, 

Dale Hooper and Deb Stephenson                        Jim Stephenson

9/11/04  ASC Wing Director resigns

John Riffey, the ASC Flight Park Wing Director has resigned to take a new FAA position with the Light Sport Aviation Branch.  The LSAB is being lead by Martin Weaver.  Martin and his team, including John Riffey have been supporting the OKC FAA meetings with industry.  In accepting John's resignation, Jim Stephenson, president and CEO of ASC commented, "This is a very exciting sign that FAA is anxious to have real knowledge available to its personnel to handle Light Sport Aviation.  John is a highly experienced AFI with ASC in Powered Parachutes, Trikes, and Fixed Wing.  The FAA experience base has now been extended remarkably." 

John takes some advice, and a little ribbing from a fellow FAA staffer.  Larry Clymer, lead for SPE, stands by to help (with the ribbing). 

Gayle (Boyer) High has volunteered to serve as active Flight Park Wing Director.  

In other news, Bill Cartwright has resigned as Fixed Wing director to handle family needs and John Chapman has volunteered to serve as acting Fixed Wing Director.  

Vernon Peckham has volunteered as a new Director at large for ASC.

9/12/04  FAA site lists Type Certificated Planes that meet LSA limits http://afs600.faa.gov/documents/PDF/LSA-CertModels.pdf

9/10/04 FAA meetings  Designated Airworthiness Representative (DAR) requirements are become clearer.  Instructors submitting ASC applications should have at least three verifiable character reference letters and at least two verifiable technical references. The more the better on references and experience.  Once ranked by the Light Sport Standardization Board the top three applicants for each region will be available for selection by the FSDO or MIDO office requesting a DAR.  DARs will be requested when there is clear need. We will be working to make the need clear as soon as we can get "Blitz" processing going.   Manufacturers should also be making first contacts with the regional MIDOs to let them know a need will be coming.  More information will be posted when available. 

9/9/04 FAA Meetings on Repairman requirements have gone well. The definition on trainer requirements has some sticking points but is workable.  Next is DAR issues Friday.

9/8/04  FAA meetings at OKC reviewed Sport Pilot Examiner and Sport Flight Instructor Examiner requirements.  Some changes appeared but were disputed and corrected.  Knowledge test question reviews provided a lot of opportunity for input and were well reviewed.  Next comes Ops Limits discussions and DAR planning.

9/7/04  First day of FAA meetings goes well.  Practical Test Standards are like we have reviewed them three times now.  Very few changes will be required.   The Instructor portions will be completed the morning of 9/8.

Coming days to cover knowledge questions, DPE and DAR areas.   First classes for DPE planned for Sebring Jan 15th.

9/2/04  SPORT PILOT NEWS...Were you a "Register Pilot" or a formal BFI by Sept 2nd?  If you did not make it by Sept. 2nd, you cannot claim the maximum benefit towards Sport Pilot or SP CFI.  Not really as big a deal as you might think.

You can still get real benefits.  Registered Pilot can save you hours in rental aircraft and time in the process.  Only 3 hours dual in an N numbered ELSA with a SP CFI in preparation for the check ride will be the added requirement.  Go to Pilot Registration .

Three big reasons to still go for BFI: 1) to be able to instruct in exempt vehicles, now, 2) hours can count for SP CFI except for 3 hours of prep for check ride, 3) if you are a BFI when you bring in your vehicle you can get the OPS Limits that allow it to be used for instruction for hire until Jan. 31, 2010.   See Guide to becoming an Instr.

If you are submitting a BFI application make sure you have the required AFI checklist enclosed.  Req Checklist

8/19/04  Light Sport Designated Airworthiness Representative Process Starts-  A letter has been sent today to all current ASC BFIs and AFIs to see who wants to become an LS DAR in the Light Sport Aircraft System.   As this process progresses, FAA will be making more traditional applications available on their web site.  In order to earn a recommendation from ASC, the candidates will have to first fill out the subject letter interest and then later fill out the FAA application.

Note from Jim: This is the ASC Process, not the formal FAA process.  We don't have to have ANOTHER emergency telecon, do we?

7/30/04 ASC at Oshkosh - What does the September 1 deadline mean to Pilots?

If you have your ASC Pilot registration before September 1, 2004, it will provide credit for your flight time, endorsement and preparation towards a Sport Pilot rating.  If you do not get your Pilot or BFI rating until after Sept. 1 then to go to Sport Pilto you will have to have 3 hours of preparation for the check ride and an instructors recommendation for the check ride.  The Pilot or BFI rating will be allowed credit for your flight time.

7/26/04 At the first of several planned FAA/ASC meetings, FAA confirmed that the ASC exemption may be used to make new BFIs after the 9/1/04 threshold.   The difference is that BFI starting after 9/1 will have to take the FAA FOI test and have an instructor's endorsement to Transition to Sport Pilot Instructor.

Registered Pilots with ASC will be able to credit time toward both Sport Pilot and Sport Pilot Instructor even after 9/1.  Pilots may also take the SPI written to cover both ratings and one check ride to cover both ratings if they are going straight to Sport Pilot Instructor using ASC Pilot or BFI credited time.  

After Oshkosh, ASC will be meeting with FAA in OKC on Sept. 8-10 to review the draft Aviation Circulars and work details.

The first Sport Pilot Applications will be accepted in January 2005.  Much work on Examiners and DARs must be completed by then to get started.  

We anticipate our first Aviation Support Center "Blitz" will be before Sun n' Fun at South Lakeland Airport.  A "Blitz" will be an opportunity to bring your plane and get review and practice to complete both the N numbering of your aircraft and your Sport Pilot Instructor rating all in one session of about 5 days.  These "Blitz" events will require early signup and action.  Registration requests and therefore slot reservations must be made before Dec 1, 2004 to participate.

7/20/04     Sport Pilot Rule up on FAA web site at  

  http://www.faa.gov/avr/arm/rulemaking/sportpilotrule7_19.doc

also in pdf at  http://www.sportpilot.org/sportpilot_rule.pdf  

Initial implementation date of September 1, 2004.

Flash news!  Only BFIs before 9/1/04 will get maximum credit for exemption experience.

A BFI may still be earned up until 1/31/08 but it will be of ever decreasing credit value with time.

• First new Sport Pilot certificate being possible Jan 31, 2005.  

• Vehicle registration can start paperwork 10/1/04

• First ELSA/LSA certification possible 2/1/05

• Weight 1320 lbs (1430 lbs Sea Plane)

• Stall Speed 45 knots (clean)

• Max speed 120 knots (87 knot limit is cleared by endorsement)

• Exemptions end Jan 31, 2008

• Trainer may be used for instruction until 8/31/09 (5 years) if ELSA N numbered

Dale Hooper and Jim Stephenson                    Marion Blakey and Deb Stephenson

At FAA Building in Washington for signing of Sport Pilot Rule

In a late afternoon teleconference, FAA confirmed that Aero Sports Connection’s approach to the initial internal process of evaluating potential Sport Pilot Examiners (DPEs) is appropriate.  Contrary to some reports, the process as presented in the ASC letters to its instructors is correct.

Martin Weaver, FAA manager of the Light Sport Aviation Branch said, “That is what we would expect from the organizations.   We want the input from the organizations in the process of sorting the potential applicants for the position of Designated Pilot Examiner.   There will also be a formal FAA application that will be posted on the website.  This can only, however, be posted after the rule is final.” 

The Sport Pilot Examiner Position is a three-part process, and while the formal FAA process has not yet begun, ASC has started the process of finding interested instructors which will be followed by organizational evaluation to determine which applicants should be recommended.

“The goal is to get the best-of-the-best,” stated Larry Clymer.  “We need the input from the organizations.  The website will have the formal FAA application posted after the rule is final.  However, the recommendations by the organization will have some influence.”

“It is disappointing to see broad misrepresentations and innuendos being published by several sources.  ASC is acting within the precise guidelines of the process.  This fact was again confirmed in the ‘emergency’ FAA telecon on Tuesday,” said Jim Stephenson, President/CEO of Aero Sports Connection.  “Instructors who apply and qualify under the ASC evaluation will then receive a letter of recommendation which would improve their chances of becoming a Sport Pilot Examiner.”

Late in the telecon Stephenson went so far as to challenge the need for the telecon, “As I understand it, the efforts we are currently performing are precisely correct.   Is that not true?”   There was no challenge to that statement by either the FAA or the other organizations.  “Then I have to wonder why this telecon is necessary.” quipped Stephenson.

“Being the largest of the training exemptions by a factor of four, we have no choice but to be aggressive in supporting our members.”  Stephenson proclaimed.  “As I have said, and ASC has demonstrated many times, ‘ASC Waits Not Well’!” 

6/25/04  Sport Pilot Examiner Process (that is ASC's internal process :)) Starts-  A letter has been sent today to all current ASC BFIs and AFIs to see who wants to become an examiner in the Sport Pilot system.   As this process progresses, FAA will be making more traditional applications available on their web site.  In order to earn a recommendation from ASC, the candidates will have to first fill out the letter information and then later fill out the FAA application.  Sport Pilot Examiner