"James M. Knox" wrote in message

It's not entirely clear yet exactly how all this could translate for those
pursuing a regular PP-ASEL. For example, could you do all your training
in
a Zodiac certificated under Light Sport but still get a regular PP ticket?

In case my previous post is confusing, I'll try to make this a bit more
orderly.

1. Ultralight. Time in an ultralight can be logged and used toward a sport
pilot certificate.The ultralight would not need to be classed as a
light-sport aircraft. 20 hours of logged ultralight time with proper
instruction would make the pilot eligible for a sport pilot certificate.
Ultralight time cannot however be used for a higher rating than sport pilot.
This would make most current ultralight pilots eligible for a sport pilot
certificate with only a little ground school and an instructor's
endorsement.

2. Sport pilot. You can receive a sport pilot certificate with 20 hours
flight time. With 150 logged hours and 100 hours as pilot in command, you
can apply for a flight instructor certificate with sport pilot rating; this
is not the same as a regular instructor certificate. This is basically a
sport pilot with an instructor rating; and this instructor can only give
instruction for sport pilot. The distinction is that this instructor could
have 100 hours in an ultralight counting as part of his hours and only needs
50 hours in a regular aircraft.

3. Higher ratings. All logged time and instruction for sport pilot is
credited to higher ratings.

4. You should be able to obtain a private pilot certificate in a light-sport
aircraft (like a Zodiac) if the instructor has a regular instructor rating
and not merely a sport pilot instructor rating. Because the pilot has a
rating higher than sport pilot, the aircraft is counted the same as a
certified aircraft.

5. A private pilot certificate encompasses sport pilot; so, the holder of a
private pilot's license is already qualified for everything in sport pilot
except as regards specific type ratings. For example, to fly a powered
chute, the private pilot would still need instruction for a powered chute
and a logbook endorsement from reviewer who was not the instructor. This is
basically the same as is currently done for sailplanes, lighter than air,
and hot air balloons. The new regulations simply add weight shift and
powered chutes as distinct types.

Similarly, a regular instructors rating encompasses the sport pilot
instructors rating. Regular instructors can give instruction for sport
pilots without any additional requirement other than a minimum of 5 hours
logged pilot in command time in the specific make and model used for
instruction.