
Home Sport Pilot Shop Eligibility Requirements for Sport Pilot Medical Requirements for Sport Pilot Sport Pilot Privileges and Limitations Light Sport Aircraft Definition of LSA S-LSA / E-LSA Categories, Classes, and Sets Vintage Aircraft and Sport Pilots Production LSA Find a Sport Pilot Flight Instructor Links Training Materials	Non-LSA LSA: Vintage Aircraft and the Sport Pilot Rule One interesting provision of the Sport Pilot rule is that is allows Sport Pilots to fly "standard" category aircraft as long as those aircraft have continually met the requirements of an LSA since their original certification. Some people find this rule confusing, but it really isn't. All the rule says is that an aircraft that was designed before the LSA rules came into effect, but whose characteristics at the time of its certification happen to meet the present LSA definitions, can be flown by Sport Pilots provided the aircraft hasn't been modified in any way that would render it ineligible. The aircraft itself, however, remains certificated as a Standard Category aircraft. This makes a difference primarily in terms of maintenance and inspection requirements. Sport Pilots and Vintage Aircraft Allowing Sport Pilots to fly certain Standard Category aircraft has given a new lease on life to many vintage airplanes that had spent lonely decades collecting dust in dark corners of hangars. While doing research for this site, I noticed that more and more Piper Cubs, Aeronca Champs, Ercoupe 415's, and other classic, historic airplanes have been making their way to aircraft auction listings under headlines that boast of their being eligible under the Sport Pilot rule. It's kind of ironic, when you think about it. These older, slower, low-powered, simple aircraft were displaced by newer, sleeker, faster, fancier ones. But now that the Sport Pilot rule is in effect, interest in these old airplanes is being revived by the same limitations that once led to their being grounded. This rekindling of interest in the restoration of old aircraft is heartwarming to anyone who loves aviation. Many of these older airplanes have been around for two-thirds of the history of aviating. Some of them were flying when Orville Wright was still alive. What a privilege to fly in these machines; and what a happy union these older, slower planes are finding with a new group of pilots who aren't in a hurry to get anywhere, anyway.

Light Sport Aircraft

Non-LSA LSA: Vintage Aircraft and the Sport Pilot Rule

One interesting provision of the Sport Pilot rule is that is allows Sport Pilots to fly "standard" category aircraft as long as those aircraft have continually met the requirements of an LSA since their original certification.

Some people find this rule confusing, but it really isn't. All the rule says is that an aircraft that was designed before the LSA rules came into effect, but whose characteristics at the time of its certification happen to meet the present LSA definitions, can be flown by Sport Pilots provided the aircraft hasn't been modified in any way that would render it ineligible.

The aircraft itself, however, remains certificated as a Standard Category aircraft. This makes a difference primarily in terms of maintenance and inspection requirements.

Sport Pilots and Vintage Aircraft

Allowing Sport Pilots to fly certain Standard Category aircraft has given a new lease on life to many vintage airplanes that had spent lonely decades collecting dust in dark corners of hangars.

While doing research for this site, I noticed that more and more Piper Cubs, Aeronca Champs, Ercoupe 415's, and other classic, historic airplanes have been making their way to aircraft auction listings under headlines that boast of their being eligible under the Sport Pilot rule.

It's kind of ironic, when you think about it. These older, slower, low-powered, simple aircraft were displaced by newer, sleeker, faster, fancier ones. But now that the Sport Pilot rule is in effect, interest in these old airplanes is being revived by the same limitations that once led to their being grounded.

This rekindling of interest in the restoration of old aircraft is heartwarming to anyone who loves aviation. Many of these older airplanes have been around for two-thirds of the history of aviating. Some of them were flying when Orville Wright was still alive. What a privilege to fly in these machines; and what a happy union these older, slower planes are finding with a new group of pilots who aren't in a hurry to get anywhere, anyway.