Sport Pilot

Since 1999 Powrachute has grown steadily and is now the #1 manufacturer of Powered Parachutes in the world.

During our hard-working march to #1, we passed PPC companies that were in business 10 years before we started and a number of their dealers are now Powrachute TEAM Dealers. Over the past five years, our designs have captured virtually every major award in the industry. For the past two years, the Pegasus was displayed in the EAA Sport Pilot tent as a model Light Sport Aircraft at AirVenture and Sun N Fun. In fact, the Experimental Aircraft Association in Oshkosh, WI hangars and flies the Powrachute Pegasus all season long. This is an honor we are very proud of. Also, over the past four years, three out of four Powered Parachute World Champions have won while flying a Powrachute product. Most recently Powrachute was selected by USUA for the “Ultralight Industry Award”. This award was given for providing an exceptional level of service to the Ultralight Industry.

Our philosophy can be stated in just a few words. Powrachute utilizes sound, ethical business practices; builds the highest quality products; offers customer service never before seen in our industry and we support our TEAM Dealers.

For the past five years, we have hosted the Powrachute Extravaganza, the world’s largest gathering of Powered Parachutes of all makes. We have offered safety and educational seminars by industry experts covering engines, chutes, airframes, weather, history of Powered Parachutes, Sport Pilot and more. But most of all, we have offered camaraderie and fun for all. Powrachute’s way of giving back to the community.

What does the future hold for the Powered Parachute Industry? In my opinion, the future is brighter than it has ever been. With Light Sport Pilot (LSP) and Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) public opinion of our sport will change to a more positive view of the aircraft we fly and the pilots who fly them. If you are overly concerned about the new rules, don’t be!

Let me explain. For the past two years, Powrachute has been actively involved in the development of Light Sport Pilot rules and Light Sport Aircraft standards. (See the enclosed document). By being involved we have been able to give valuable input to the Standards Committees.

Last year we trained FAA personnel to fly a Powered Parachute. The training gave the FAA valuable insight on the simplicity of Powered Parachutes, assisting them in writing the Practical Test Standards (PTS) for Powered Parachutes. More importantly, our involvement gives us first hand knowledge of what to expect and how to adapt to the new rules. The largest burden of the new rule will be on the manufacturers to meet the industry standards. These standards are comparable to ISO certification. Over the past year, Powrachute has been working diligently toward ISO Certification in anticipation of the ASTM requirements and should meet this goal by the time the Sport Pilot rule is effective. ISO Certification and the ASTM process is costly, time consuming and expensive. No doubt this new process will weed out all but the most serious manufacturers.

As we transition from the Ultralight Training Exemption to the Sport Pilot rule, it would be wise to determine what manufacturers can realistically meet the new standards. Powrachute will meet the standards!

Some companies are already boasting that they are Sport Pilot ready. Hard to meet a standard that has not yet been adopted and may well change before it is adopted. When Powrachute announces it is Sport Pilot compliant, the announcement will be accompanied by certified independent audits proving Powrachute meets all five ASTM Standards required by the FAA.

Ok, enough on the manufacturers’ responsibilities. What about you the pilot, dealer and instructor? What do you have to do?

In its simplest form, it will be necessary to transition your ultralight certification to Light Sport Pilot or Light Sport Pilot Instructor. Your present aircraft will have to be inspected to receive an Experimental Light Sport Aircraft N-number. It is important to know that the FAA has given consideration to all two-place PPC’s that are purchased before the rule. All two-place PPC’s purchased before the rule is effective will have a two year window for transition. The owners will need to register their PPC’s with the FAA and have them inspected by a Light Sport Aircraft, Designated Airworthiness Representatives (DAR). Upon approval from DAR the aircraft will be placed in the Experimental Light Sport Aircraft (ELSA) category. Does this mean a lot of aggravation and frustration for you? The answer is no. It is Powrachute’s commitment to our customers and dealers to help them through the transition.

When the rule is published, it is our plan to go over it in detail and develop a plan for the transition period. We will assemble the appropriate people (the process has already started) and provide forums to simplify the entire process. We will help transition our customers and our TEAM Dealers to the new standard quickly. By doing this we will save everyone time, money and frustration while keeping our sport simple, fun, and safe. After all, that is why we got into the sport to begin with.

What should you do before the rule takes effect? Continue what you are doing now - fly safe, log your time, and keep your exemption current. Encourage your customers to complete their training and register as an Ultralight Pilot with one of the Ultralight Organizations. Further training should be completed for the BFI Training Exemption. It is advisable to have the registration and training completed before the new rule is released.

Customers new to the sport after the release of the rule will be required to follow the complete set of requirements for Sport Pilot, but the TEAM Dealer support will allow them to progress quickly and efficiently to their pilot goals.
 
Powrachute is here to support the TEAM Dealer network. If you are not currently a Powrachute TEAM dealer, I encourage you to compare Powrachute’s track record and plans for the future with that of any other Powered Parachute manufacturer. Consider your future with Powrachute in the new world of Sport Pilot.

Call us directly to start your future with the best TEAM Dealer organization in the Industry.