I am very interested in working towards a private pilots license, and owning my own airplane.  More than likely, it would be used mainly to fly myself and my son around.. Maybe out to some remote fishing/ camping spots, things like that.  My dream is to have a nice little bush-type plane that is rugged, sturdy and somewhat affordable to operate.
  I see there are alot of LSA eligible planes that seem to fit this bill, and are quite affordable.   
   I've noticed that the licensing costs for LSA are about half that of the regular private pilots license. 
  What are  the benefits or downside to going the LSA route, then working on my license more gradually?

I do believe you can get your private pilot license in an LSA aircraft.  Many people have in the past (Piper Cub anyone?)  It just takes a little more flight time, and covers a few more maneuvers.  You can fly and operate an LSA with a private license, with all the same priveleges.  Now if you are only going to get a LSA license, then you are restricted in when, where, and how far you can fly.  You can even use your private pilot license as an LSA license if your medical expires (and you don't have any illnesses that preclude you from being safe to fly).  As for ownership, I've looked into it myself.  The biggest drawbacks to an LSA aircraft is cost (a new LSA still cost more than an older Cessna or Piper), range (pretty limited), useful load (given my size, pretty much myself and some fuel), and speed (being limited to under 120 kts, you don't get anywhere very fast). 

Now I'm not sure just how remote your fishing spots are.  If you are talking places with a fair size grass strip, a STOL equipped 172, or maybe a Van's RV would make a nice airplane for the job.  If you are talking about a gravel bar on an Alaskan Stream, then I would be thinking Super Cub or the likes.  And just my thinking, but the LSA's I've seen don't make great bush planes, rather underpowered, and just don't seem built as tough.

The only way an LSA license begins to make sense, is if you plan to buy an LSA airplane... because LSAs for rent are very rare. Sure, there are a few schools that will have an LSA airplane, and rent it for training.. but insurance companies don't allow FBOs to rent ANY airplane to other than a holder of a PPL.. even if it is a LSA.

Our club is thinking about getting an LSA, for two reasons. 1) the lure of inexpensive training to bring in more members..  2) An inexpensive aircraft for our current PPL holders to enjoy.

I've been closely associated with a few clubs since this LSA deal got started. Here's the reality. You aren't going to get signed off with many fewer (if any fewer) hours of training, than if you went a traditional PPL route. Most LSA students realize this, and quickly move into a traditional training plan... if for no other reason that they don't plan to buy an LSA.. so with just an LSA license, they'll only be able to fly with an instructor. And the reality sets in, that a few years down the road.. the cost difference (which aint much) in training, is peanuts compared to what flying costs in general.

I'd advise a traditional training program, even if you do plan on buying your own LSA.

Whatever your flying goal, there is a point where you have to stop trying to nickel-and-dime your way to it, and just pay. If your projected budget is such that you think you can only afford to buy an LSA (they ain't cheap, BTW, unless you mean an old airplane that meets the LSA requirements and is in less-than-perfect condition)... then you can only afford to go as far as the Sport certificate... then pursue your private (which will mean that unless you're only going to use your PP privileges in your LSA, which doesn't make a lot of sense, you will have to get checked out in more-capable planes and rent like "everybody else")... somewhere along the line you're going to be challenged to meet the costs of it all, just like someone who buys a beat-up  old Aztec because they'd like to rent a Baron someday.

And in general, regardless of how modest your plane and certificates are, predicting and managing the cost of flight training and ownership/operation of an aircraft is difficult. What little I've achieved myself has been the result of sacrifice, more than financial shrewdness. The best-laid plans, etc...and owning an airplane can really be an education in that concept... sometimes I'm glad I haven't gotten myself into that mess yet, much as I'd love to have my own plane.

The dollar amounts may vary, but there is one thing that remains the same in aviation, as an old-timer once told me:
"If you wait 'til you can afford it, you'll never do it."

In my roundabout way, what I'm saying is that if you see yourself in an LSA with a PPASEL, get an LSA that's worthy of a PPASEL, do your PPASEL in it, and exercise your PPASEL privileges in it. And be prepared to tighten your belt a little... or a lot.

On another note: there are some great LSAs that will serve decently in "back country" flying (although they're usually kit planes), but FWIW, if you are going to fly "in the bush", I think you'd be wise to have the full PP training.

thanks for the advice guys. At this point, I am really just trying to get a grasp of what my goals really are and things I'd need to do to start working towards those goals.  I have always been an aviation nut, but my career and adult life have caused me to drift away from it.

Brett_Henderson wrote on Feb 22^nd, 2010 at 10:17pm:
Once again, 'I'm hoist' on my own petard'.  Any aviation advice I give is from an era that's gone.  My first plane, in which I learned to fly, was a Cessna 140 for which I paid $2800.  Saw that little jewel in Wasilla, AK last year with fresh paint and a bigger motor - worth lots more money  .  Brett is correct - the financial outlay today, for a personal plane, isn't worth it.  Really not familiar with the LSA program but gut reaction is 'what are we trying to accomplish here'?  Reducing airspeed/horsepower/gross weight etc and requiring lesser flight standards does little to prevent that LSA from being one half of a mid-air.  As you proceed through the ratings game, adding extra lines to your airman certificate, you realize how minimal the 'private' requirements were.  How minimal for LSA?