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Sport Pilot: ELTs, Certification

Paradise P-1SP Bonnie Kratz / EAA
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • While not federally mandated for E-LSA in the U.S., 121.5/243 MHz emergency locator transmitters (ELTs) are no longer satellite-monitored, potentially leading to longer emergency response times compared to 406 MHz units.
  • The duration of a Sport Pilot student certificate has been extended to five years (60 months) for all ages, with existing certificates eligible for this extension without revision.
  • The Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) criteria of 1,320 pounds maximum gross weight and 138 mph maximum speed were chosen by the FAA through a lengthy rule-making process to ensure specific design and flight characteristics, and these final numbers are higher than initial proposals to allow a wider range of aircraft to qualify.
See a mistake? Contact us.

Each month, Flying answers questions about the new Sport Pilot/Light Sport Aircraft rule with assistance from the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), the authority on the opportunities available within the category commonly known as “Sport Pilot”:

Q: I need to get an emergency locator transmitter (ELT) for my experimental light-sport aircraft (E-LSA). Do I need to purchase the 406 MHz ELT, or can I still use the far less expensive 121.5/243 MHz type?

FLYING Staff

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