What Documents Do You Need To Fly LSA?

[Geico266]

In the plane, to be in compliance with FARS. Just did a BFR in an LSA and that was one of the questions. The answer surprised me, maybe it will surprise you? I think renters are pretty up to speed on what is needed, but owners get a little complacent with paper work over the years, especially with Experimentals. They know the plane like the back of their hand, but the paper works is usually lacking................ or maybe it is just me.

No cheating by looking up the answer, just guess. I had to.

 

[poadeleted20]

Other than not needing a medical certificate if you have a driver's license, I'm not sure what the difference would be. They still have airworthiness and registration certificates, you still have to have the operating limitations per their certification documents, and you still need the W&B data so you can stay inside the limits. The pilot still needs a pilot certificate, some sort of medical document (medical certificate or DL), and a photo ID. Is there something I'm missing?

 

[jmaynard]

A sport pilot (or a CFI-SP while giving instruction) must also carry his logbook as evidence of the endorsements he has for category, class, set of aircraft, and special privileges. See 61.51(i)(3) (61.51(i)(5) for CFI-SP).

I don't know of any additional documentation that applies to the LSA itself, however.

 

[Geico266]

A sport pilot (or a CFI-SP while giving instruction) must also carry his logbook as evidence of the endorsements he has for category, class, set of aircraft, and special privileges. See 61.51(i)(3) (61.51(i)(5) for CFI-SP).

I don't know of any additional documentation that applies to the LSA itself, however.

You looked!

It was the log book and driver's license (or medical cert.) that got me. This is not a "gotcha" thread. Just interesting to me personally. I really need to clean up my act when it comes to documents though, so it was a good reminder (to me anyway) what to have in your plane when you go flying. I don't think in 15 years of flying, 1800 hours, I have had the Operating Limitations inside my planes, I always had them in the hanger. Bad on me, and I'm gonna fix that right now.

 

[jmaynard]

You looked!

Nope. I knew it; I provided the reference for others to look up. I'm supposed to know these things as an aspiring CFI-SP.

It was the log book and driver's license (or medical cert.) that got me.

Actually, the logbook only applies to sport pilots. A private pilot, even one operating under the sport pilot rule with a driver's license instead of a medical, does not need to carry his logbook, since he has all of the privileges a sport pilot would need an endorsement for.

The DL or medical, however, has been required for longer than I've been a pilot.

This is not a "gotcha" thread. Just interesting to me personally. I really need to clean up my act when it comes to documents though, so it was a good reminder (to me anyway) what to have in your plane when you go flying. I don't think in 15 years of flying, 1800 hours, I have had the Operating Limitations in my planes. Bad on me!

Review is always good. As for not having operating limitations, however...you've had the POH and the required placards, right? That's all that's needed.

 

[Geico266]

Review is always good. As for not having operating limitations, however...you've had the POH and the required placards, right? That's all that's needed.

Maybe ....... Yea, I have.

What started the conversation with my CFI was in the light sport aircraft we were preflighting and talking about I noticed a "No Smoking" decal that was about to fall off the panel. I grabbed it and said; "You really don't need this sticker on here." and I about took it off. He said; WAIT! That decal must be on the panel because it is a requirement in the POH. He even went on to say that if that specific sticker needs to be replaced it needs to come from the factory in the Czech Republic, or they must supply a letter stating a suitable substitute is acceptable. On a 3/4" x 2 " "No Smoking" decal? This is where my brain goes numb.

Interesting hanger talk anyway, thanks to those who replied and read this thread.

 

[jmaynard]

What started the conversation with my CFI was in the light sport aircraft we were preflighting and talking about I noticed a "No Smoking" decal that was about to fall off the panel. I grabbed it and said; "You really don't need this sticker on here." and I about took it off. He said; WAIT! That decal must be on the panel becuase it is a requirement in the POH. He even went on to say that if that specific sticker needs to be replaced it needs to come from the factory in the Czech Republic, or they must supply a letter stating a suitable substute is acceptable. This is where my brain goes numb.

Hm. The sticker might well be listed in the POH as a requirement; there are several placards listed in my Zodiac's POH, and I assume those are required as well. (Since there's no type certificate, there's no type certificate data sheet to list required placards.) I'm not sure I buy the argument that the replacement would have to come from the factory, but then it's not outside the realm of possibility, either, given the LSA's approval requirements. Yet another reason I'm happy I bought an airplane built in the US.

 

[poadeleted20]

Actually, the logbook only applies to sport pilots. A private pilot, even one operating under the sport pilot rule with a driver's license instead of a medical, does not need to carry his logbook, since he has all of the privileges a sport pilot would need an endorsement for.

Not necessarily -- what if a PP-ASEL is in a light sport seaplane?

 

[jmaynard]

Not necessarily -- what if a PP-ASEL is in a light sport seaplane?

Okkay, granted...but, assuming you mean after he's gotten a sport pilot signoff by two instructors in the seaplane, he's really a SP-ASES (even though sport pilot certificates don't come with category and class ratings, that's what it is, effectively).

 

[Geico266]

Yet another reason I'm happy I bought an airplane built in the US.

Boy, you got that right. These guys that bought foreign stuff are in for a surprise if you need parts. Dealing with people in the old Soviet Union is torture at best.