Sport Pilot Certificate?

I am not well read on all the ins and outs of the sport pilot's program but I were in your shoes I would go for it and get some flying under you belt. There is nothing better than a Piper Cub to learn the basic skills of FLYING. With a good FLIGHT instructor, you will learn what the rudder pedals are for, how to balance control inputs so that you can keep the ball centered in maneuvers. and to, simply, learn how to fly an airplane. I learned to fly in a 1937 Cub, no brakes, a tail skid, and a 55hp Lycoming. I learned more from that little airplane in eight hours than anything else except the Stearman. Training was different then and I benefitted from it, I think. My instructor was an old time flyer and I learned loops, rudder- exercise stalls, spins, 720's,and precision landings before I soloed. I would go for it, Jordan, it would get you started on the right foot and getting the Private would be a simple step up later on.

 

The sport pilot program, is less than a pp license, in both time and expense.
I was going to go for it, but decided it'd be better if I, had a PPL.
My biggest fear was the medical. (I've had triple bypass surgery)
But I bit the bullet, and applied for a special issuance 3rd class.
If denied, I'm a passenger, forever...

But, with the PPL, I could fly at night... and,..... pilot a C-152 which is heavier
(1100 lbs empty) than allowed for a Sport pilot, and a passenger
170*2=350 +1100=1450 lbs, or even take the family up
in a heavier yet, C-172 ...
(the 170lbs. is the FAA average pilot weight, for computations)

Note: _Use peoples actual weight when computing weight balance, before takeoff_.

Most importantly, the light sport aircraft maximum take off weight can only be 1320 lbs.
(Where's all the baggage go? Fed EX?) A stall speed of 45 kts (51mph)
Few certified, typed, planes fit that parameter. There are some though, the "Cub" being one.


The sport Pilot requirements are:
Drivers license, in lieu of the 3rd class med,
Pass the written and practical test...
you can only fly VFR in the daytime,
unless you have 3rd class med.. And the plane is equipped per FAR 91.209


there's so much, it'll be easier on me, if I just post a link..... or two...

http://www.sportpilot.org/becoming/ (the pilot)

http://www.sportpilot.org/lsa/ (The Aircraft)

(And of course ....The Rules)

http://www.aopa.org/members/files/fars/far-61.html#14:2.0.1.1.2.10


Good luck at it, no matter which you choose to do.
and keep your fingers crossed for me!!

Charlie

 

What did you decide to do?
I'd go for the private. You are allowed to do so many more things. Most importantly, you can fly to airports that arent your home airport without signoffs (i think you cant even fly into any airspace requiring coms without an endorsement or something). You can fly planes that have a usefull load that is actually usefull (and can carry more than 1 person). You can fly above 10,000 ft. Also, you can fly at night. I don't really fly at night but it's good to know I can.
Odds are you'll need more than 20 hrs to be safe anyway.
You can fly for a hell of a lot cheaper if you find a club. I used to pay $115hr for a new skyhawk (to put than in perspective, thats the hourly rate for the club's Mooney!), plus $40 for the instructor. Now I pay $100 for both. It's in an 80's skyhawk (getting used to the carb heat took time) but i think those fly nicer than the new ones anyway. Oh yeah, and its got a garmin 430 compared to the pos king the new skyhawk had. They even have a citabria for about $60/hr which im excited about. Anyway, my point is its cheaper/hr for a club plane than renting from an fbo.