This is a group for current and future Sport Pilot Instructors, CFI's and anyone seeking instruction in a Light Sport Aircraft

The FAA Sport Pilot initiative became effective on September 1 2004. On January 11 2005 the first ultralight trainer was certificated as an experimental light-sport aircraft (ELSA).The Orlando Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) inspected and awarded an ELSA airworthiness certificate to a Maxair Drifter

What is a certificated Sport Pilot Flight Instructor (CFIS)?

A Sport Pilot instructor has privileges similar to other FAA certificated flight instructors; however, he or she may only provide instruction in the category of light sport aircraft in which he or she is qualified and operates under FAR 61 Subpart K rather than Subpart H. A CFIS may also perform proficiency checks to add a category or class to the certificate of an existing Sport Pilot and Sport Pilot CFIS in a Light Sport Aircraft LSA

The recent Certification of the SeaRey SLSA & Vans RV-12 SLSA brings the number of Factory Built Certified SLSA choices to a whooping 131, with several well under the $70k mark, Such as the X-Air LS at just $59,995 or the Rainbow Cheetah XLS at just $49,500 or M-Squared Breeze II SLSA Just $36,995

ELSA — An aircraft that has been assembled from an aircraft kit produced by a light sport aircraft manufacturer. Kits assembled under this category are not required to meet the 51 percent homebuilt regulation. Sold as a kit or sold as ready-to-fly aircraft. You may receive flight training in an ELSA that you own

SLSA — These are Factory Built Aircraft manufactured in accordance with industry consensus standards (ASTM) as a light sport aircraft in the United States and sold as ready-to-fly aircraft. If you're an instructor, you will need an SLSA to provide flight training and/or Rental, There are Currently 131 Models to choose from

There are more than 30 SLSA models shown in the “PHOTOS” section of the group ranging from $36,995