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ASC, PO Box 589, Marshall, MI  49068    phone 269-781-4021   fax 269-781-7400  email kimojim@aol.com

7/25/06    Oshkosh , WI    Latest Sport Pilot News from AirVenture

 There was a meeting today at AirVenture, with numerous FAA personnel in attendance.  Included were Jim Ballough (FAA Director, Flight Standards Service) and John Hickey (Director, Aircraft Certification Service, AIR-1).

The following subjects were covered:

LTA (Lighter Than Air) Gross Weight Correction and Retracts for Amphibians to be Fast Tracked directly into the Rule

I hit the issues of retracts for amphibians and Light-Than-Air gross weight very directly and very hard.  Mr. Hickey understood the need for these clear corrections.  Mr. Hickey said, "We will pull out all the stops and fast track it.  We will try to go directly to a final rule, but, there can be absolutely no negative feedback from the flying community or it will set the whole process back."

We should prepare the community to accept these changes without negative responses.  This is good news for LTA and Amphibians! 

No Changes to Sport Pilot Deadlines

We reviewed the Sport Pilot status.  There is no extension being considered, of any type, by the FAA.   If aircraft do not make it into the FAA system by 1/31/08 then they may never be able to come in.  People should be told this very clearly.  Miss this date and risk all the value of your aircraft. Also remember that 1/31/07 is the deadline for UL pilots and student pilots, who were registered before the deadline, to complete the transition process. After that date you will need to do all the training required for the SP certificate.

DPEs and DARs

The FAA believes they are meeting the demand for DPEs and DARs.  A quick assessment of actual pilots and planes that are in the system now, under the exemptions, shows that the FAA support is about right.  

This assessment is based on the FAA’s calculations about the number of pilots and aircraft that are in the UL system now, that would need assistance in transitioning. It does not include those who are not participating as it is assumed that those who are presently operating outside the present UL system will not be operating within the FAA system either. This is not good news if a lot of people decide to take advantage of the SP certificate, which were operating outside the UL system. This means that there may not be adequate support for you if you decide to get legal.  

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Last updated: July 05, 2008.