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of Light-Sport Aircraft FAQs
What are the requirements of a Repairman Certificate-Inspection?
To earn an FAA repairman certificate of any type, you must be:
- 18 years old
- Able to speak, read, and understand English
- Able to demonstrate the requisite skill to determine whether a LSA is in a condition for safe operation
- A U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident
In addition to meeting the base requirements, to earn an FAA repairman certificate-inspection you must complete an FAA-approved 16-hour training course on inspecting light sport aircraft.
This certificate enables you to perform the annual condition inspection on the Experimental-LSA you own.
What are the requirements of a Repairman Certificate-Maintenance?
To earn an FAA repairman certificate of any type, you must be:
- 18 years old
- Able to speak, read, and understand English
- Able to demonstrate the requisite skill to determine whether a LSA is in a condition for safe operation
- A U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident
In addition to meeting the base requirements, to earn an FAA repairman certificate-maintenance you must complete an FAA-accepted training course on inspecting and maintaining the appropriate class of light sport aircraft.
The minimum training time for each class is:
Class
|
Minimum Hours of Instruction
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Airplane
|
120 hours
|
Weight-shift control
|
104 hours
|
Powered parachute
|
104 hours
|
Lighter than air
|
80 hours
|
Glider
|
80 hours
|
This certificate allows you to maintain, repair, and perform the annual condition inspection on all Special-LSAs and condition inspections on Experimental-LSAs for hire, within the class of aircraft shown on your certificate. What repairs and maintenance you can perform one Special-LSAs are specifically authorized in the aircraft manufacturers' maintenance manuals. A&Ps or FAA authorized repair stations must perform all major modifications (again as directed by manufacturers' instructions).
Will EAA be offering any Repairman Certificate-Inspection courses?
Yes, EAA wants to make sure our members successfully transition to sport pilot. A Repairman Certificate-Inspection course for airplanes is currently available, and courses for powered parachutes and weight-shift control aircraft are under development.
Will EAA be offering any Repairman Certificate-Maintenance courses?
No, at this time we are not planning to offer Repairman Certificate-Maintenance courses. Repairman Certificate-Maintenance ratings are for commercial providers and are beyond the scope of our members who fly for fun. We expect existing A&P schools and other sources to provide this training.
Can I earn a repairman certificate to maintain a standard category aircraft that meets the definition of an LSA?
No. Even though certain standard category aircraft meet the definition of an LSA and therefore can be flown by a sport pilot, the aircraft certification and maintenance rules do not change. It is still a standard category aircraft. Therefore, the maintenance requirements remain unchanged and an airframe and powerplant (A&P) mechanic with inspection authorization (A&P-IA) must conduct the aircraft’s annual inspection.
Can I earn a repairman certificate for an Experimental Amateur Built aircraft that meets the definition of an LSA? I did not build the aircraft.
No. Even though a “homebuilt” (experimental amateur built) aircraft meets the definition of an LSA and therefore can be flown by a sport pilot, the aircraft certification and maintenance rules do not change. It is still an experimental amateur built aircraft. Therefore, the person who holds the repairman certificate for that homebuilt, or an A&P, must perform the aircraft’s annual condition inspection. | 
