The following is my proposal for a Commercial Trike Pilot License (weight-shift control aircraft pilot certificate) . The hours are more than a Private Pilot WSC and in some cases lower that a commercial airplane certificate. Instrument and complex aircraft requirements were taken out.

Although the complete subpart F would have to be rewritten to add weight-shift control trikes, the aeronautical experience here is the basis of the pilot requirements. Like all the other categories, a Private pilot WSC would be a requirement to a commercial weight-shift control certificate.

As for all commercial pilot certificates, a second class medical would most likely be required.

It is recommended that a night flying restriction be available for a commerccial pilot WSC rating in 61.131 same as private (commercial airplane does not allow this restriction).

Same as

§ 61.129 Aeronautical experience.

(j) For a weight-shift control (WSC) rating. Except as provided in paragraph (i) of this section, a person who applies for a commercial pilot certificate with WSC category rating must log at least 250 hours of flight time as a pilot that consists of at least:

(1) 100 hours in powered aircraft, of which 50 hours must be in weight-shift control .

(2) 100 hours of pilot-in-command flight time, which includes at least—

(i) 50 hours in weight-shift control ; and

(ii) 50 hours in cross-country flight of which at least 10 hours must be in weight-shift control.

(3) 20 hours of training on the areas of operation listed in §61.127(?)(?) of this part that includes at least—

(i) One 2-hour cross country flight in a weight-shift control aircraft in daytime conditions that consists of a total straight-line distance of more than 100 nautical miles from the original point of departure;

(ii) Except as provided in 61.131, one 2-hour cross country flight in a weight-shift control in nighttime conditions that consists of a total straight-line distance of more than 50 nautical miles from the original point of departure; and

(iii) Three hours in a weight-shift control with an authorized instructor in preparation for the practical test within the preceding 2 calendar months from the month of the test.

(4) Ten hours of solo flight time in a weight-shift control with an authorized instructor on board (that include—

(i) One cross-country flight of not less than 150 nautical miles total distance, with landings at a minimum of three points, one of which is a straight-line distance of at least 100 nautical miles from the original departure point. However, if this requirement is being met in Hawaii, the longest segment need only have a straight-line distance of at least 100 nautical miles; and

(ii) Except as provided in 61.131, 5 hours in night VFR conditions with 10 takeoffs and 10 landings (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport with an operating control tower.

Same as the private pilot night flying, add a night flying restriction to the commercial 61.131
61.131 addition:
(c) A person who does not meet the night flying requirements in §61.129 (j) may be issued a private pilot certificate with the limitation “Night flying prohibited.” This limitation may be removed by an examiner if the holder complies with the night flying requirememts.

5 Responses

  1. the requirements from this are not accurate for wsc category. Please refer to gpoaccess.gov web site on 61.313 for current information about the wsc class and requirements.

  2. tk88sk8,
    Yes this is only a proposal for a future commercial WSC possible license proposed in the future.
    Yes the current sport pilot requirements are in 61.313 (h) and the private pilot wsc are in wsc are in 61.109 (j) both Title 14.

  3. Hi Paul.
    You may already be aware of this but check out the US law enforcement aviation technolgy program – using LSAs for non-recreational applications https://www.justnet.org/aviation/index.html
    Also, New Zealand has realized the need for “adventure aviation” regulation (ie. rides vs “instructional” flights) – check it out http://www.caa.govt.nz/rules/Rule_Consolidations/Part_115_Consolidation.pdf

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