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Sport Pilot: Luscombes, LSA at night, Medicals

Luscombe 8A
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The Luscombe 8E is not eligible for sport pilot operations due to its maximum gross weight exceeding the 1,320-pound Light-Sport Aircraft (LSA) limit.
  • A Single Engine Land (SEL) certified pilot with a current medical can legally fly an E-LSA Challenger II at night, provided the aircraft is properly equipped for night flight and all applicable FARs and operating limitations are followed.
  • A pilot can fly as a sport pilot with a driver's license after letting their medical expire, even if they previously failed an FAA medical, as long as they later successfully regained medical certification, ensuring their most recent medical application was not failed.
See a mistake? Contact us.

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.

FLYING Staff

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