Adding SP privileges in lieu of a flight review

[Dana]

I think I have this figured out?

I'm a PP-ASEL with no medical or basicmed, so "exercising sport pilot privileges", and due for a flight review.

I know that adding a new rating (for example, adding a seaplane rating) counts as a flight review per § 61.56(d)(1):

​

(d) A person who has, within the period specified in paragraph (c) of this section, passed any of the following need not accomplish the flight review required by this section:​

​

(1) A pilot proficiency check or practical test conducted by an examiner, an approved pilot check airman, or a U.S. Armed Force, for a pilot certificate, rating, or operating privilege.​

Without a medical, a practical test for a seaplane rating isn't an option; you can't take a checkride at the Private level without a medical or basicmed.

Sport pilots don't have ratings, though; additional privileges (higher rated pilots can also get endorsements for sport pilot privileges) are added via a proficiency check and a logbook endorsement. To add privileges for an additional category or class of aircraft you get an endorsement from your CFI, and then per § 61.321(a) the pilot must:

Successfully complete a proficiency check from an authorized instructor, other than the instructor who trained you, consisting of the tasks in the appropriate areas of operation contained in the applicable Practical Test Standards or Airman Certification Standards."​

So is that second instructor an "approved pilot check airman"?

But it probably doesn't matter, as § 61.321(b) goes on to say:

If you hold a sport pilot or higher grade certificate and seek to operate an airplane single-engine land or sea or a rotorcraft-helicopter meeting the performance limits and design requirements of § 61.316, you must successfully accomplish a practical test for that category and class privilege as specified in § 61.307(b).​

So if I'm reading this right, to add ASES privileges (not a rating) it still needs a checkride ("practical test") with I presume a DPE? But since it's at the SP level no medical is required.

 

[flyingcheesehead]

I think I have this figured out?

I'm a PP-ASEL with no medical or basicmed, so "exercising sport pilot privileges", and due for a flight review.

I know that adding a new rating (for example, adding a seaplane rating) counts as a flight review per § 61.56(d)(1):

​

(d) A person who has, within the period specified in paragraph (c) of this section, passed any of the following need not accomplish the flight review required by this section:​

​

(1) A pilot proficiency check or practical test conducted by an examiner, an approved pilot check airman, or a U.S. Armed Force, for a pilot certificate, rating, or operating privilege.​

Without a medical, a practical test for a seaplane rating isn't an option; you can't take a checkride at the Private level without a medical or basicmed.

Sport pilots don't have ratings, though; additional privileges (higher rated pilots can also get endorsements for sport pilot privileges) are added via a proficiency check and a logbook endorsement. To add privileges for an additional category or class of aircraft you get an endorsement from your CFI, and then per § 61.321(a) the pilot must:

Successfully complete a proficiency check from an authorized instructor, other than the instructor who trained you, consisting of the tasks in the appropriate areas of operation contained in the applicable Practical Test Standards or Airman Certification Standards."​

So is that second instructor an "approved pilot check airman"?

But it probably doesn't matter, as § 61.321(b) goes on to say:

If you hold a sport pilot or higher grade certificate and seek to operate an airplane single-engine land or sea or a rotorcraft-helicopter meeting the performance limits and design requirements of § 61.316, you must successfully accomplish a practical test for that category and class privilege as specified in § 61.307(b).​

So if I'm reading this right, to add ASES privileges (not a rating) it still needs a checkride ("practical test") with I presume a DPE? But since it's at the SP level no medical is required.

The second instructor is *not* an "approved pilot check airman". That's something that you see at air carriers to do their every-6-month required checkrides, and it is a privilege that requires its own checkride (which is also a checkride for the other crewmembers).

If you're adding seaplane privileges and you require a checkride with a DPE (or in this case an SPE), that takes care of the flight review requirement.

 

[Clip4]

A rating is defined as a statement that, as a part of a certificate, sets forth special conditions, privileges, or limitations.

As a CFI, I am unable to give you sport sea instruction toward the requirements of a flight review because 61.56 states (a)(2) A review of those maneuvers and procedures that, at the discretion of the person giving the review, are necessary for the pilot to demonstrate the safe exercise of the privileges of the pilot certificate. Then (c) states, Except as provided in paragraphs (d), (e), and (g) of this section, no person may act as pilot in command of an aircraft unless, since the beginning of the 24th calendar month before the month in which that pilot acts as pilot in command, that person has—
(1) Accomplished a flight review given in an aircraft for which that pilot is rated by an authorized instructor

The section doesn’t say maneuvers and procedures required for privileges the pilot doesn’t have and wants to obtain in an aircraft that pilot is not rated.

A private pilot with an Airplane Single-Engine Land (ASEL) rating is not considered "rated" in an Airplane Single-Engine Sea (ASES) aircraft for a flight review under 14 CFR § 61.56, even if they have a logbook endorsement to exercise sport pilot privileges in that seaplane

 

[midlifeflyer]

The second instructor is *not* an "approved pilot check airman". That's something that you see at air carriers to do their every-6-month required checkrides, and it is a privilege that requires its own checkride (which is also a checkride for the other crewmembers).

If you're adding seaplane privileges and you require a checkride with a DPE (or in this case an SPE), that takes care of the flight review requirement.

Good analysis.

 

[Brad Z]

The proficiency check can be with an examiner or an authorized flight instructor.

https://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/airmen_certification/sport_pilot/proficiency_check.pdf

 

[midlifeflyer]

The proficiency check can be with an examiner or an authorized flight instructor.

https://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/airmen_certification/sport_pilot/proficiency_check.pdf

Brad, I think the question was whether the proficiency check given by a CFI (as opposed to a DPE) automatically counts as a flight review substitute under 61.56(c)(1).