On Sun, 19 Feb 2006 20:55:21 -0500, "Morgans" wrote:


"Hawkeye" wrote

If I build a Flybaby, can I do the first flight and subsequent testing
while using my "Sport Pilot" classification?

How about a one-off Experimental Category design that is engineered to
comply with the Light Sport Aircraft operating limitations?

Thanks, Hawkeye Hughes

Yes, and yes.

Ditto, and Ditto. :-)

If an aircraft meets the Light Sport definition, it can be flown by a Sport
Pilot regardless of its certification category.

The only issue that might come up is if some FAA'ian wants to dispute whether
your one-off Experimental aircraft meets the definition. If it weighs 1,000
pounds, has only 50 sq.ft of wing area, and an IO-540 for power, it's probably
likely the plane can't meet either the speed requirements...top OR bottom. But
as far as I know, there are no formal procedures for legally establishing
whether a unique aircraft (and each Experimental/Amateur Built aircraft,
legally, *is* unique) meets the definition. There are certification
requirements if the plane is to be *licensed* as Light Sport, but they don't
apply if the plane is in some other category.

Ron Wanttaja