Sport Pilot: Luscombes, LSA at night, Medicals

FLYING Staff

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

Verified

Luscombe 8A

Key Takeaways:

A Luscombe 8E cannot be flown by a sport pilot because its maximum gross weight of 1,400 pounds exceeds the Light-Sport Aircraft (LSA) limit of 1,320 pounds.
A Single Engine Land (SEL) certified pilot with a current medical certificate 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 are followed.
A private pilot who previously failed an FAA medical but later regained it can still fly as a sport pilot by allowing their medical to expire, as the restriction only applies if their *most recent* medical application was unsuccessful.

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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.