I'm interested in both PPL-Glider and Sport Pilot. Would it be better to get the PPL-G first and add on Sport Pilot or does it not really matter?
Here's what I'm wondering: would it put Sport Pilot limitations on my glider privileges to get the Sport Pilot certification and add-on glider? Would that limit me to piloting light sport sailplanes (MTOW of 1320 pounds, max speed in level flight of 138 mph, etc.) under 10,000' MSL/2000' AGL in fair weather during daylight hours? Or does Sport Pilot certification with a glider add-on provide all the privileges afforded a PPL-G while operating a sailplane?
@Scott Simmons You would exercise the privileges of the certificate you're flying under. If you have a PPL glider certificate, and were flying a glider, you would adhere to the limitations of that certificate. If you were flying utilizing your Sport Pilot certificate you would adhere to those limitations.
Just like if there was a commercial fixed wing pilot who picked up a rotorcraft PPL, you wouldn't be limited to PPL privileges on your commercial fixed wing license just because you picked up the rotorcraft at the private level.
@Scott Simmons You would exercise the privileges of the certificate you're flying under. If you have a PPL glider certificate, and were flying a glider, you would adhere to the limitations of that certificate. If you were flying utilizing your Sport Pilot certificate you would adhere to those limitations.
You can only have one pilot certificate, so he cannot have a Private Pilot certificate and a Sport Pilot certificate. What he could in theory have is a Private Pilot certificate with both a Glider rating without limitation and an Airplane rating limited to Sport Pilot privileges. I'm just not finding the process.for getting there in Part 61.
@Ronald Levy, you are absolutely correct, as always. I was talking more about privileges of the certificate, not the physical plastic, which you can only have one of.
You would have the limitations of Sport Pilot - Glider if you have Sport Pilot - ASEL and add Sport Pilot - Glider. Upgrading to Private Pilot - Glider would require an additional written and additional check ride. Adding on the Sport Pilot - ASEL rating to an existing Private Pilot - Glider would not require a written exam or a check ride. Instead, it would require a proficiency check in the LSA-ASEL with a second CFI and the filing of a paper 8710-11 to add on the additional privileges at the sport pilot level to your existing Private Pilot certificate. FAR 61.321 provides the regulatory basis for this proficiency check, and the PDF linked below details the process the Airplane CFI or CFI-S will need to follow: https://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/airmen_certification/sport_pilot/media/proficiency_check.pdf
@Scott Simmons
I am a glider pilot who got a Sport ASEL add-on to my glider rating. No glider restrictions that way.
I would recommend that route.
Tim