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jerryrosie Certificates/Ratings/Crew Stations: "Possible New Category of Certificate" 02-20-02, 21:36z  Following was copied from the Ultralight Association's web site and forwarded for general interest. SPORT PILOT NPRM RELEASED JUST IN TIME FOR USUA CONVENTION JANUARY 30, 2002 FREDERICK, MARYLAND - FAA today published a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) named "Certification of Pilots, Aircraft, and Repairmen for the Operation of Light Sport Aircraft" just one week before the USUA Convention and Air Sports Expo to be held in Ontario, California. This will be the first opportunity for FAA to talk publicly about the proposal since a FAA/Industry advisory group submitted a recommendation to FAA December 21, 1999. The NPRM principally proposes to establish a new FAA pilot certificate called "Sport Pilot" allowing passenger carrying and other recreational use in non-complex aircraft up to 1,232 pounds gross weight with a top speed not to exceed 115 knots. That certificate would require less training than private pilot and the option of a valid driver's license in lieu of an FAA medical certificate. A new category of aircraft under experimental rules called "Light Sport Aircraft" would also be established matching the maximum sport pilot privileges. This proposal would regulate aircraft that are too heavy and/or fast to operate under ultralight rules. Most ultralighters are familiar with this issue, as FAA had promised it many months ago. The effort by FAA is both commendable and convincing although there is no assurance that FAA will actually implement such a rule. FAA first publishes a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to allow the public to comment on the rule. Then FAA must consider and respond to the comments. The result could be issuance of the rule as proposed, amended or the NPRM could be rescinded. USUA has been deeply involved with this NPRM beginning in 1986. A USUA petition to request regulatory help for those flying fat-single and two-place ultralights was the catalyst for this proposal. Over the years USUA staff have participated in numerous studies and submitted many petitions to facilitate regulatory improvement. Beginning in 1993 USUA chaired the FAA advisory group whose work was the final basis for "Sport Pilot." USUA will continue to play a major role in the development of Sport Pilot and Light Sport Aircraft as follows: * Guide FAA by providing continuous input from public meetings, regular FAA contact from headquarters, development of member comments and, finally, USUA's official comment to the docket. USUA seeks reasonable regulatory opportunities and will resist unnecessary or burdensome requirements. * Based on FAA final actions, USUA will develop support programs for all members who may want to become Sport Pilots and register their ultralights as Light Sport Aircraft. USUA will make it as painless as possible. FAA will provide a briefing on the NPRM at the USUA Convention on Friday at 4:30. An industry panel will discuss their initial reactions to the proposal during a USUA-sponsored forum Saturday at 1:30. Many groups are planning to meet at the convention to develop their own recommendations to FAA. You may want to be there or to contact your USUA Regional Representative with your feelings. Representatives may be found at usua.org. USUA is proud of that involvement which was entirely funded by members and altruistic feelings by USUA staff members involved. USUA thanks each member for that support and congratulates FAA for the capacity to attempt some resolution to the continuing evolution of private aviation in America. There are several options to access an electronic copy of the NPRM as follows: This takes you directly to the NPRM. http://www.faa.gov/avr/arm/nprm/nprm.htm FAA posts a copy of regulatory documents on this site the day they are on display at the Federal Register. http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/aces140.html Documents on this site are posted in the Federal Register format. http://dms.dot.gov/search This site is where all the comments will be posted. Search under docket number FAA-2001-11133. www.faa.gov/avr/afs/sportpilot/index.htm Shortly after the NPRM is published FAA expects to provide a FAQ web site for the Sport Pilot proposal. Regularly return to this USUA site for additional information as it becomes available. www.usua.org ^^^Reality...the refuge of those who can't handle simulation^^^ Cheers, Jerry **** VPC OffLine Reader Version 2.0.4.0 **** **** OLR.PL Build 1.61 **** Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

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