New Sport Pilot Proposal

[ChiMike]

Here are a few of the nuggets from the 300+ page proposal regarding “Sport Pilots” and “certified LSA’s.”

Aircraft first. The term “light sport aircraft” goes away. Pilots with a Sport License (certain endorsements required) can PIC “Airplanes” that have:

Stall speed of no more than 54 knots.
(FAA estimates these planes will weigh no more than 3,000 lbs and have cruise speeds of usually no more that 200 knots IAS)

4 seats (pilot + 1 is still a limit)
“Normal” aviation controls)
Adjustable propellers
Retractable Landing Gear

Essentially, a P2010 will be a legal Sport Pilot PIC airplane— because the stall speed is 52knots, but a Cirrus SR20 will not—stall of 57knots.

A Sport Pilot will still have a 1 passenger limit and a 10,000 foot AGL limit.

However, with endorsement:

Night VFR
Complex Aircraft to include Helicopters.

There is quite a bit more to this new proposal. Please add additional nuggets.

As I don’t have an experimental or kit aircraft, I did not necessarily track the changes for those categories. I did note that FAA is making a major distinction between what is allowed for “certified-manufactured” airplanes, so these new flight privileges may not extend as generously to kit and home built planes.

[ronin5573]

So can I now install a constant speed propeller legally???

[theengineer]

I'm not as excited about this as I was last night. The increase in stall speed is for VS1 (clean). It's the single most limiting factor of the new proposal. So from what I can tell, a P2010 would still be above a Sport Pilot's privileges since VS1 in the 2010 is 59 knots.

It does allow us to fly old beater C172s though...

[ChiMike]

theengineer

There is still a lot to be digested. I am not sure I’d go for a P2010 regardless versus what I already have (P2008tc with a GTN 650 and a BRS system.) The speed boost of 12-16ktas at 12-14 gph isn’t worth the cost per flight of additional fuel since I’d still be limited to one passenger. I do 6.8gph to 7.2gph currently at 125-128 ktas. Also, without a major investment in electronics for a GTN 750 and fully integrated AutoPilot and nav system, I’m looking at a step down in my current capabilities.

Plus they made the P2010 with a yoke, and it’s 3inches narrower than the P2008. (The P92 and the P2010 are the same width internally.) I do understand the yoke as the aircraft it’s competing against have yokes: I just like the feel of stick controls as a personal preference.

But the P2010 is a beautiful airplane and with the bigger engine, I do prefer it to the new Cessna 172-182.

[ChiMike]

Ronin, I’d give it a bit and see what happens. A lot of emphasis on “certified-manufactured” so until Tecnam does a change for the U.S. planes, I’m not sure you’d want to fall into the experimental category. But it makes sense for Tecnam to make this a “certified” retrofit.

[Flocker]

Jul 20, 2023 5:28:12 GMT ChiMike said:

Here are a few of the nuggets from the 300+ page proposal regarding “Sport Pilots” and “certified LSA’s.”

Thanks for the cliff notes.

Based on what I've heard I'd still keep my P2008.  It fits my mission well.  I will take full advantage of the ability to fly at night. 

[dannyb]

So as far as the P2008, I think the removal of the 600 KG limit would be very welcome. I see that there is a Service Bulletin (SB 171-CS) that describes taking the MTOW to 650 KG (1,430 lbs). If "light sport aircraft" category goes away then can't this Service Bulletin be applied to take the weight up an additional 110 lbs?