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10/19/04 - FAA SET TO LAUNCH SPORT PILOT EXAMINER APPLICATION PROCESS
The Federal Aviation Administration’s assurances to EAA that the agency will continue to expedite creation of sport pilot/light-sport aircraft infrastructure took another step forward today, as the FAA is ready to begin the sport pilot examiner (SPE) application process.
Martin Weaver, FAA Light-Sport Aircraft Branch Manager in Oklahoma City, reported today that the form that sport pilot examiner candidates must complete, FAA Form 8710-12 (Light-Sport Standardization Board-Designated Pilot Examiner Candidate Application), is now available on the Light-Sport Aviation Branch (AFS-610) website at http://forms.faa.gov/forms/faa8710-12.pdf.
Weaver joined Earl Lawrence, EAA’s Vice President of Industry and Regulatory Affairs, and others on Tuesday’s Ultraflight Radio show (www.ultraflightradio.com) to provide updates on the work by FAA and ASTM International regarding pilot/aircraft registration and aircraft manufacturing consensus standards. Lawrence heads the ASTM committee charged with creation of those standards.
FAA plans to hold the first Light-Sport Standardization Board meeting to begin reviewing SPE applications during the first week of December, pending approval by FAA’s Director of Flight Standards (AFS-1) of the new Light-Sport Standardization Charter. The first Sport Pilot Examiner Initial Course is slated for January 2005.
Weaver also stresses that “it is imperative that candidates complete the application in its entirety to ensure that the application can be evaluated properly.” Only original application forms will be accepted.
FAA Order 8710.7 establishing the Sport Pilot Examiner program was signed by AFS-1 on October 18. The order also gives guidance to Aviation Safety Inspectors and Sport Pilot Examiners for conducting practical tests at the sport pilot level. The Sport Pilot Examiner Handbook will be available on the AFS-610 website within a week, Weaver says. |
