The way the AOPA/EAA have always described it was that a
private/commercial/ATP pilot could "exercise sport pilot privileges" to fly
fixed-wing aircraft without needing any changes to their ticket. The Light
Sport Aircraft thing is a new route to a restricted form of certification of
*aircraft* and has nothing to do with pilot certification. A pilot can
exercise sport pilot privileges in any aircraft certified as an LSA or
Normal/Aero/Utility category so long as it meets specific performance &
operating limitations. Of course it's implict that an aircraft certified as
a LSA will meet those restrictions.

-cwk.

"Robert M. Gary" wrote in message
oups.com...

BTIZ wrote:
Chuck... as many people that have read the new Sport Pilot
information.. is
as many different interpretations as you will get.

If you currently have a VALID ClassIII medical or higher, and a
Private
Pilot Certificate.
You can fly Light Sport Aircraft, J-3, small Taylor Craft, etc that
qualify
as "Airplane", but also "Light Sport Aircraft"


As a private pilot, can we fly LSA certified aircraft (of where there
are currently none, but will be some)? There seems to be a lot of
confusion about LSA aircraft. I believe a SP can fly a J-3, but a J-3
is still a normal category certified aircraft. I believe a new category
will be put on some airplanes called "LSA" that will allow owners to do
some maintenance.

-Robert