Non Current Pilots
Flight Review per § 61.56:
If you stopped flying years ago, your sport, private pilot or higher certificate is good for life. You just need to get a “flight review”, to get legal to fly a LSA as a sport pilot. Flight Reviews are performed by a flight instrutor and required every 24 months to be a “current” pilot. The specific regulation that allows existing pilots to fly LSA and specifies the details of who can do what is FAR 61.303.
Three takeoffs and landings per § 61.57:
To carry a passanger you must have 3 takeoffs and landings 90 days prior in the make/model of aircraft
Medical fitness § 61.303 sport, § 61.23 private:
The main benefit for you as an non-current pilot is that sport pilot privlages requires you to only have current and valid state driver’s license to establish medical fitness. You do not need a FAA third-class medical!
Unfortunately, if you have had your most recent FAA medical certificate application suspended, denied, or revoked by the FAA you are not allowed to operate using your driver’s license. You must go back and clear the medical problem with the FAA which usually is not easy. But, once you get this cleared, you can let your medical expire and than operate as a sport pilot using your drivers license as medical eligibility. Make sure you do not fail a medical, use your drivers license and fly LSA as a sport pilot if there is any question as to passing the medical. Part § 67 was more details on specific requiremets.
Any private pilot wanting to fly aircraft aircraft that does not meet the criteria of light-sport aircraft (LSA) hill have to get an FAA 3rd class medical. However, the flight review and three takeoffs and landing currency can be done in a LSA.
