The Sport Pilot Certificate and the GBSC Glider Pilot

In 2004, the FAA established a new license type called the Sport Pilot Certificate. Sport pilots fly simple and slow aircraft that include some, but not most club gliders.

The (really) big Picture

A sport pilot

• may not fly above 10,000 feet
• may not fly outside the US
• is restricted to flying aircraft that meet the Light Sport Aircraft definition
• is restricted in many other ways

What does this mean to GBSC members?

• A sport pilot may only fly 3 gliders out of the 9 in the GBSC inventory - the 2-33 the 1-26, and the SZD-50 (click to see the fleet). All other club gliders do not meet the Light Sport Aircraft definition, as they are certified for maximum speeds greater than 120 knots. Because the Sport Pilot Certificate is not recognized internationally, the sport pilot is not able to fly gliders in other countries. A sport pilot may not take advantage of the 10,000+ foot thermals, possible in the spring in our area, or the fall wave flights at Mt. Washington - which some times exceed 25,000 feet. You may not fly higher than 10,000 feet.

For these reasons, among others, the club recommends that student members select the Private Pilot certificate as their certificate "destination".

For more information, see AOPA frequently-asked-questions-about-sport-pilot. For the short version of the FAA rule.