Sport Pilot/PM

MikeB · Post by **MikeB** » Sun Sep 07, 2008 09:45

Not wanting to hijack the other postings above under general discussion I decided to post down here. SFC Hiatt makes the comment that a sport pilot is allowed to do zero maintenance on a certified aircraft (according to the FAA and EAA). If that's true is concerns me as I've always done most of the maintenance on whatever aircraft I happened to own at the time. Either with my log book entry or a sign off from my IA. I've had a private license for about 30 years but recently decided to go with a sport license basically because I only fly the Champ and don't fly at night anyway so I couldn't see going through the FAA medical every other year. I usually get a physical every year but that's covered by insurance. To the best of knowledge I have no medical concerns (other than the 69 year old joints) and take no medications. In fact, my medical ran out last month.
I find it hard to believe that the FAA would be so short sighted considering there must be a lot in our catagory (1000 + hours experience/30 year plane owner, etc.). If that's the case, I may have to renew my medical but that also puts me at a disadvantage if something should "pop up" in a year or two. I can't believe they would consider us unqualified to change oil, service oleo struts, wheel bearings, etc.

Comments please...............

Mike Berg

Mnflyer · Post by **Mnflyer** » Sun Sep 07, 2008 10:45

Hi Mike, what Chris was referring to is that a person with only the Sport Pilot license is not allowed to do maintenance, anyone with a Private Pilot or high license can even if your flying under Sport Pilot regs, you still hold your higher license. Just like a commercial pilot with only a class III medical can only fly as a private pilot but is still a commercial pilot and can go back to a commercial pilot, by getting a class II medical where as a person with only a Sport pilot license can only go up by getting a Private pilot license.

MikeB · Post by **MikeB** » Sun Sep 07, 2008 14:22

Thanks! That makes me feel better

. I kind of wondered how they could justify it, but nothing surprises me any more.

Mike

WWhunter · Post by **WWhunter** » Sun Sep 07, 2008 15:04

Gary beat me to it. But from what I have been told/read he is 100% right. I am 20 years younger than you and have done the same exact thing. My medical ran out the end of June and I will not be renewing it. I'll keep the Champ and sell my 172. I do have a guy interested in trading it towards a J-3. So I might get lucky and have one of each Aeronca and a Cub.

john-ranger · Post by **john-ranger** » Sun Sep 07, 2008 22:09

Any maintenance??? I really find that hard to believe. Anybody have the FAA regs. where it calls out stipulation?

john-ranger · Post by **john-ranger** » Sun Sep 07, 2008 22:17

FAR Part 43, Appendix A, Paragraph C - Preventive Maintenance. This is not authorized?

MikeB · Post by **MikeB** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 08:51

Well, if you read 43.13, Apprendix A (c) and go down to (30) item (i) it does read "holder of a private pilot certificate or higher". I assume (as stated in previous posts, that if you held a private license at one time and are current with the biennual (less medical) you should be able to preform the PM as stated in part c. Not exactly sure where a LSP comes in here. As I'm due for a physical, I may just bite the bullet and get a third class medical again and worry about it in a couple of years. My regular doctor is also my ME anyway.

Granted my FAR manual is 2001 so it may be out of date.

Mike Berg

Roger Anderson · Post by **Roger Anderson** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 09:09

mikeberg/wi wrote:Well, if you read 43.13, Apprendix A (c) and go down to (30) item (i) it does read "holder of a private pilot certificate or higher". I assume (as stated in previous posts, that if you held a private license at one time and are current with the biennual (less medical) you should be able to preform the PM as stated in part c.
Mike Berg

You wouldn't even have to be biannual current. From the time you are blessed as a private pilot, you are then the "holder of that certificate" forever (unless it gets revoked for some unusual reason). The biannual and medical (the medical only needed if not flying under light sport regualtions) are only required to fly an airplane, not work on it as permitted by 43.13.

flyingfool · Post by **flyingfool** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 10:58

Thanks Mike for asking the question. I was wondering the exact same thing!

I wonder if this is just another loophole that EAA might be willing to get changed. Seems like a reasonable thing for EAA & AOPA to champion and take on.

Prior to the LSP, it only affected the recreational pilot certificate holder of which there are only a mere handful.

I wonder if the FAA will also consider eliminating the recreational pilot certificate in the near future and just let the few people that hold them ample warning. They can either go on to get their private certificate or the FAA will just re-issue the remaining folks with the recreational a Light Sport certificate by the deadline?

MikeB · Post by **MikeB** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 12:10

I wouldn't look for anything to happen soon (I'm still waiting for approval to use the 'approved' pop rivets in my 'approved' .032 ribs using the 'approved' SL85

) as the wheels at the FAA seem to move pretty slow. Personally (on my soap box again) I'd like to see all the certified LS aircraft moved into owner maintenance like Canada so we have some flexibility, but I'd don't expect to see that during the years I have left to fly.

Mike Berg