Sport Pilot - U.S. License

[saultpastor]

I'm a Pastor, a US citizen, living in Canada. I'm am finalizing my permenant resident status with immigration Canada. My question is complicated so I thank you in advance for considering it.

I live in a border town, the airport on the U.S. side is cheaper and closer to my home. I also do not plan on spending the rest of my life here in Canada. I would like to get a Sport Pilot Certificate, but according to the ruling I must have a valid U.S. drivers license, my current one is issued by Ontario. Is there any way to do this with an Ontario license?

I know I could get a 3rd class medical, but I had a minor health issue that the FAA requires to be addressed with a special issuance, providing I supply the results from a number of expensive medical tests that I will never be able to afford.

I would greatly appreciate any and all thoughts and suggestions.

[Denny of Oakland]

First to answer your questions about having a valid U.S. driver license. Light Sport certificate can only be issued if you hold a valid U.S. driver license. Information on this can be found at:
http://www.faa.gov/licenses_certific...n/sport_pilot/
FAR Part 61 say you must hold a valid U.S.drivers license

Second you can find a lot of the questions about Light Sport Pilots issues and medicals on the FAA web site at: http://www.faa.gov/licenses_certific...n/sportpilots/

I have copies two examples.

Sport Pilot Medical Certification-Frequently Asked Questions

If I suspect I have a significant medical condition, but have never had an FAA medical certificate denied, suspended, or revoked, can I exercise sport pilot privileges using my current and valid driver’s license, if otherwise qualified?

Response by the Federal Air Surgeon
Long-standing FAA regulation, § 61.53, prohibits all pilots--those who are required to hold airman medical certificates and those who are not--from exercising privileges during periods of medical deficiency. The FAA revised § 61.53 to include under this prohibition sport pilots who use a current and valid U.S. driver’s license as medical qualification. The prohibition is also added under §§ 61.23 (c) (2) (iv) and 61.303 (b) (2) (4) for sport pilot operations.

You should consult your private physician to determine whether you have a medical deficiency that would interfere with the safe performance of sport piloting duties. Certain medical information that may be helpful for pilots can be found in our Pilot Safety Brochures.

Why can’t an airman with a current and valid driver’s license medically self–certify to exercise sport pilot privileges if their most recent Special Issuance was withdrawn or last FAA medical certificate was denied, suspended, or revoked?

Response by the Federal Air Surgeon
To clarify that, if your most recent records on file with the FAA indicate that you were found ineligible to exercise airman privileges for medical reasons then, in the interest of public safety, you shouldn’t go out right away and use your driver’s license as medical qualification.

We understand that these conditions may not have been expected and may disappoint some people. That was not our intent, nor is it our intent that affected persons would have to maintain an airman medical certificate if they would rather use their current and valid U.S. driver’s license to medically qualify as a sport pilot.

We ultimately concluded that, in those cases where the FAA has existing knowledge of medical ineligibility, we need the affected person to address it and, hopefully have it resolved. To meet the intent of the rule, the affected person should apply for reconsideration of their eligibility. In some denial cases, applicants simply may not have provided enough information to the FAA or may not have supplied information that the FAA may have requested. In certain other denial cases, applicants may not have exercised their appeal rights, which could have led to certification in some cases.

The FAA wants to see as many pilots as possible take advantage of this exciting new rule and looks forward to working with individuals seeking to exercise sport pilot privileges. We also intend to work with EAA, AOPA, and other industry groups toward that end.

I have a personal web side for aviation and it cover Light Sport Aircraft certification. You can find me at http://www.stacheair.com

Denny of Oakland