Sport Pilot: Luscombes, LSA at night, Medicals

FLYING Staff

Friday, December 24, 2010 at 07:12 AM ET

Verified

Luscombe 8A

Key Takeaways:

The Luscombe 8E cannot be flown by a Sport Pilot because its maximum gross weight of 1,400 pounds exceeds the 1,320-pound limit for Light-Sport Aircraft (LSA).
Pilots with a Single Engine-Land (SEL) certificate and a current medical can legally fly an E-LSA Challenger II at night, provided the aircraft is properly equipped for night flight and all operating limitations and applicable FARs (e.g., 91.205, 91.209) are followed.
A pilot who previously failed a medical certificate but subsequently regained it can operate as a Sport Pilot by letting the regained medical lapse, as long as their most recent medical application was successful.

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Q: I would like to get my Sport Pilot Certificate and have a lot of questions about the training requirements. But first, I have an opportunity to purchase a Luscombe 8E. Can a sport pilot fly this airplane?

A: Congratulations on your goal to become a sport pilot! But don’t buy the Luscombe 8E. Other Luscombe models meet the definition of a light-sport aircraft, including the 8, 8A, 8B, 8C and 8D. The 8E is certificated at a maximum gross weight of 1,400 pounds, and the weight limit for an LSA is 1,320 pounds. For more information about becoming a sport pilot, visit EAA’s sport pilot website at sportpilot.org.