A Bad Idea

The FAA has announced some proposed new rules that will significantly affect light sport aviation.  Basically, they are proposing to limit operations to single seat flights (initially in SLSA aircraft transitioning to ELSA status).  This proposal demonstrates a complete lack of understanding of the history of light sport aviation and the requirements for 2 seat operations.  Presented in the disguise of instructions to safety inspectors and DARs the proposed regulations will negatively impact the future of recreational aviation.

For more information see this article in Powered Sport Flying Magazine and to read the proposed FAA document see this link .

Operation Migration and the FAA

Several days ago Operation Migration ran directly into the FAA while shepherding young cranes on their first migration to Florida.  The weight shift controlled aircraft used in Operation Migration are Light Sport Aircraft and flown by pilots with at least a light sport certificate and sign off for weight shift control.  The pilots are volunteers but some expenses are being paid by the organization.  The FAA sees this as a commercial operation and the FAA failed to create a commercial license for weight shift control aircraft.  OOOOooopppps.  An online petition was started to ask the FAA to grant a waiver to allow completion of the migration flight this year.  The good news is that today the FAA is allowing the migration to continue on a one time basis so not to impair the ability of the young cranes learning the migration route.


Perhaps this will be the impetus required to coax the FAA into completing the Sport Pilot Rule.

Where to place the N number

Previously, if you owned a WSC aircraft without a fuselage, a stick trike, and were preparing for an airworthiness inspection by either the FAA or a designated airworthiness representative (DAR) you ran into a problem - where to place the N numbers? On a trike without any fairing there was no place to put the 3" registration numbers horizontally as required by the FARs. To get around the problem required a justification, in writing, to the DAR. This happened here with 2 aircraft that went though the registration process. To make these aircraft acceptable to the DAR required pouring through the regulations and writing a coherent justification asking for a variance. It was granted but all that paperwork was passed on to the FAA.

Now the problem has been fixed. FAR 45.27 specifically addresses where the registration markings on a weight shift control aircraft should be placed. 45.27 (e) states: “Powered parachutes and weight-shift-control aircraft. Each operator of a powered parachute or a weight-shift-control aircraft must display the marks required by §§45.23 and 45.29(b)(2) of this part. The marks must be displayed in two diametrically opposite positions on the fuselage, a structural member, or a component of the aircraft and must be visible from the side of the aircraft.”

So instead of horizontal marks no specification is made, so marks can be horizontal or vertical. This allows the rear landing strut or the mast as a place for N numbers on stick trikes. As per FAR 45.29 the letters must be a minimum of 3” high and 2” wide but these will fit vertically on the main rear strut. Life would have been so much easier if this had been in place when 9 aircraft were taken through the system.

Digital Airport Facilities Directory (AFD)

Airport facilities directories are useful tools for flight planning and every pilot has a copy. The problem with these little green books is they have a very short life span expiring about every 3 months. If you are not close to a pilot shop, like the Sky Gypsies, it is difficult to keep an current version of the AFD. Well the AFD is now online courtesy of the FAA.

A current AFD is especially important when testing since the designated pilot examiner (DPE) will require the applicant (us) to have a current copy for the ground portion of the test. But thanks to the FAA that will not be a problem, just go online and either download the latest version for the test or connect to the site during the oral. Demonstrating the ability to access relevant information on the FAA’s website also demonstrates good aeronautical decision making skills, something DPEs always like to see.

Trouble With The Neighbors

Neighbors giving you problems, nowhere to turn? Mount a canon on your trike or flex wing microlight. Part way down this page of WWI aviation photographs is one of a cannon mounted in place of the engine on an aircraft.

I suspect the recoil from firing might induce some pitch stability problems though.

Ohh and don’t forget to update your weight and balance form after you finish mounting your canon. I don’t know whether this is considered a major modification by the FAA. Will have to get some advice on that.

Hat tip The Vintage Aviator via Trike Pilot Social

Free, The Weight Shift Control Flying Handbook.

With the takeover by the FAA everything has become more uniform for weight shift pilots, one organization that oversees training of trike pilots and registration of aircraft. While the merits of this have been debated endlessly one thing is clear - the process moves forward. The Weight-Shift Control Aircraft Flying Handbook has been published by the FAA and is available online from several vendors. Aside from providing standardized information for training and testing, the great thing about this book is you already paid for it. Your tax dollars went to pay the author and you can get as many free copies as your hard drive can hold. That is one of the good things about the FAA, they tell you what you what the rules are (the FARs), they tell you what you are required to do to get a pilot ticket (training requirements), and they give you all the information to accomplish the task. It is all free, just go and get it. It is even possible to complete a light sport CFI with the information the FAA provides. The system is set up to help you pass and get your ticket.

You can find a link to the Weight-Shift Control Flying Handbook under weight shift aviation links in the sidebar or you can just go here.

Leave a comment and let me know what you think about this new training tool.