Home Learn to Fly Pilots Aircraft Training The Rules Ask the Expert News and Media EAA Sport Pilot Magazine EAA Sport Pilot Sourcebook Shop Sport Pilot

01/13/05 - A WEEK OF SPORT PILOT “FIRSTS” IN SEBRING, FLORIDA

This week marked a number of sport pilot “firsts,” including the certification of the first ultralight trainer as an E-LSA and the awarding of the first private pilot weight-shift rating. Members of FAA’s Oklahoma City-based Light-Sport Aviation Branch are based at Lockwood Aviation on the Sebring (Florida) Regional Airport this week preparing for another first—the first sport pilot examiner (SPE) training course next week.

On Tuesday, January 11, the first ultralight trainer was certificated as an experimental light-sport aircraft (E-LSA). Edsell Ford and Van Stumpner, of the FAA Light-Sport Aviation Branch, and Al Kimball, an FAA inspector from the Orlando Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) inspected and awarded an E-LSA airworthiness certificate to a Maxair Drifter owned by Romke Sikkema and Jeff Hudson. On Wednesday, Sikkema made the first flight in the newly certificated aircraft, giving Tom Eldridge, an FAA inspector from the Alaska Region, an instructional flight.

Larry Clymer, also of the FAA Light-Sport Aviation Branch, added a private pilot weight-shift rating to his pilot credentials, becoming the first person to hold that rating. He took his check ride in an Air Creation GTE trike. He also added sport pilot instructor (SPI) credentials in the weight-shift category. Clymer then gave Marty Weaver, FAA Light-Sport Aviation Branch manager, his practical test in the Air Creation GTE. Clymer made a logbook endorsement in Weaver’s logbook, adding sport pilot weight-shift privileges to Marty’s existing pilot certificate, making him the first individual to obtain that privilege. Marty received instruction in Air Creation trikes at Kemmeries Aviation in Peoria, Arizona.

Next week, the first eight SPE candidates will gather in Sebring for training.