Sport Pilot Talk

Doss79 · Joined: 30 Jun 2008 Posts: 108 Location: San Antonio, Tx

Guys, can you clear something up for me?

I'm still confused about the minimum weather minimums for operating as a sport pilot.

I know the visibility minimum has to be at least 3 statute miles, but what I am confused about is the vertical minimums: Does the ceiling need to be at a minimum of 1000ft AGL? If the clouds are scattered, then that's okay, but if they are broken/overcast, then it has to be at least a 1000ft ceiling, right?

Thanks for any enlightenment...

CharlieTango · Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2009 6:10 pm Post subject:

in most cases the clearance required is:

500' below
1,000' above
2,000' horizontal

sport pilot isn't legal vfr on top so you must be able to reference the ground
sport pilot cannot request special vfr to reduce clearance from clouds

http://www.risingup.com/fars/info/part91-155-FAR.shtml

tech10002 · Joined: 12 Jan 2009 Posts: 37 Location: Lexington, Ky

I'll just add that the exceptions are in class G and class B airspace(if you have the airspace endorsement). In those cases, it's 3 miles and clear of clouds.

You answered your own question on the ceiling issue since ceiling is defined as the lowest broken or overcast layer. :) You're fine at 1000 sct.

bullwinkle · Joined: 02 Jul 2009 Posts: 7 Location: Athens, GA

Sport Pilots also have to have reference to the ground at all times, may not do "VFR on top" nor may they do Special VFR.

As to the 1000ft thing, I'd have to look it up again, but I recall my instructor saying you need minimum 1000ft ceiling in controlled airspace (except class B). I don't think I'd ever intentionally fly with a ceiling that low, so it's an academic question for me.

EDIT: Whoops, just saw that CT addressed my first sentence above. Sorry for the dupe.
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KSCessnaDriver · Joined: 25 Jan 2009 Posts: 150 Location: KOJC

It would be tough for a pilot to operate in the traffic pattern with a 1000 ft ceiling, without violating 91.119 for minimum altitudes. Some places it would be possible, but most, probably not.