Any Updates on the FAA proposal to allow instruction in ELSA aircraft?

MarkH

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MarkH
This was proposed in October, and I remember making a comment in support of it. I haven't heard anything about updates, progress or changes to it since the comments closed.

Has anyone else seen coverage of this? Any suggestions on where I might find information on its progress?

https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=FAA-2018-0926-0001
 
Students in ELSA, dumb idea..
Not at all, if that's what they're going to be flying later. And for pilots who want to fly ultralights, there are no two seat ultralights so an "ultralight like" LSA is the best choice for training.
 
Students in ELSA, dumb idea..
Uh, not really. It depends on the ELSA. Today it is legal for an owner of an ELSA to get flight instruction in his own plane and for the instructor to get paid for the instruction. Not every instructor is willing to instruct in an experimental though, and not every DPE is willing to give a check ride in an experimental.

The NPRM to allow ELSAs to be used for hire (not owned by the student) for training will probably take a while. Don't hold your breath.
 
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Uh, not really. It depends on the ELSA. Today it is legal for an owner of an ELSA to get flight instruction in his own plane and for the instructor to get paid for the instruction. Not every instructor is willing to instruct in an experimental though, and not every DPE is willing to give a check ride in an experimental.

The NPRM to allow ELSAs to be used for hire (not owned by the student) for training will probably take a while. Don't hold your breath.

Really bad idea with a LS CFI.
 
Really bad idea with a LS CFI.
I can see why some would think that. The CFI-S rating can be obtained in about half the time required to become a traditional CFI, and you can become a CFI-S without becoming a commercial pilot and still get paid to teach sport pilot students. CFI-S applicants must be at least 18 years old and hold at least a sport pilot certificate. No FAA medical certificate is required.
 
Really bad idea with a LS CFI.
Why? Although you don't need as many hours to become a CFI-SP, it doesn't mean a SP instructor is bad. At my home field, there is a CFI-SP instructing in a J-3 that he's owned and flown for 30+ years... or you can fly the FBO's C-152 with an ink still wet CFI who'll be gone as soon as he has the hours for a regional job. Who would you rather learn from?
 
Because light sport CFIs are losers who are trying to shortcut the system without valid medicals. And, without a medical, they are obviously deficient in both teaching and piloting skills. So when you put them in an aircraft with an obvious deficiency (lack of a proper certificate), the only possible outcome is flaming death raining from the sky.
 
Because light sport CFIs are losers who are trying to shortcut the system without valid medicals. And, without a medical, they are obviously deficient in both teaching and piloting skills. So when you put them in an aircraft with an obvious deficiency (lack of a proper certificate), the only possible outcome is flaming death raining from the sky.

An uncertified aircraft, built by amateur builders, using unapproved parts, with inadequate testing, unreliable performance data, minimally trained and experienced instructors and solo students. What could possibly go wrong?
 
An uncertified aircraft, built by amateur builders, using unapproved parts, with inadequate testing, unreliable performance data, minimally trained and experienced instructors and solo students. What could possibly go wrong?
It has an airworthiness certificate...it’s certified.
Its parts are approved by the builder and certified airworthy by the DAR.
It’s very possibly been tested more thoroughly than a lot of airplanes with Standard Airworthiness certificates.
Minimally trained instructors and solo students are the norm everywhere.

Sounds like a normal flight training operation to me. ;)

Seriously, in my experience, an instructor or examiner who is willing to work with an E-AB or ELSA are often going to be more knowledgeable and competent than those who won’t.
 
Seriously, in my experience, an instructor or examiner who is willing to work with an E-AB or ELSA are often going to be more knowledgeable and competent than those who won’t.

That’s an interesting observation. Can you explain in what ways you feel they are oftentimes more knowledgeable and competent?
 
That’s an interesting observation. Can you explain in what ways you feel they are oftentimes more knowledgeable and competent?
They’re generally willing and able to learn an airplane that somebody didn’t teach them. Not common among instructors, in my experience.
 
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Because light sport CFIs are losers who are trying to shortcut the system without valid medicals. And, without a medical, they are obviously deficient in both teaching and piloting skills. So when you put them in an aircraft with an obvious deficiency (lack of a proper certificate), the only possible outcome is flaming death raining from the sky.

So using this logic you're saying that an RN with and AS degree is a loser because they don't have a BSN.... and a Physician Assisted with out a medical degree is a loser because they don't have an M.D.?

And, are you saying that having a medical somehow gives you super power teaching skills?
 
So using this logic you're saying that an RN with and AS degree is a loser because they don't have a BSN.... and a Physician Assisted with out a medical degree is a loser because they don't have an M.D.?

And, are you saying that having a medical somehow gives you super power teaching skills?
OR maybe he's being sarcastic. It's been known to happen.
 
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