Simviation Forum - Any 'sport pilots' out there?

Jun 7^th, 2010 at 9:16pm

olderndirt Offline
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Rochester, WA

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Has anybody done the 'sport pilot' thing. When it was first introduced, it looked like a loophole for those of us who've lost their medical but, knowing the FAA as I do, I've become very wary. Just curious

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Reply #1 - Jun 7^th, 2010 at 9:46pm

Brett_Henderson Offline
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One of the clubs I fly out of, just got a light sport.. and has started a light sport training program.. mostly just to nudge people into getting started flying.

There's a catch 22 to light sport; in that people try it to save money, but without a 'real' PPL, you can't rent one for flight without an instructor. The irony is, you have to be able to afford to buy the aircraft, to use it; and you entered light sport for economic reasons.. That might change as insurance companies get more open-minded.. but the program has been around for going on a decade, and still hasn't gotten a head of steam going.

The good news is (so far), that anyone who catches the flying bug, quickly realizes that the difference in cost (to get a regular PPL), aint that much in the long run of a flying life... they just end up entering regular training, in aircraft that you can actually do things in.

The airplane itself is neat.. and will serve well for an economical rental for PPL holders, but is useless for traveling.

As for your question... I'm still learning, and there are plenty of sites for research.. But what I can say, is that if a pilot has been denied his medical, he's out of luck for light sport. What I plan on doing, is to just let mine expire when it gets to where I might not pass (coming soon). Then I can still fly light-sport legally.

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Reply #2 - Jun 8^th, 2010 at 7:37am

DaveSims Offline
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Clear Lake, Iowa

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The biggest advantage I've seen is for older pilots, who may have trouble renewing their medical. We have several older gentlemen who have simply switched to flying under LSA rules, in their T-Crafts and Cubs.

Dave

www.flymcw.com

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Reply #3 - Jun 8^th, 2010 at 9:31am

olderndirt Offline
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Flying is PFM
Rochester, WA

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Mine was denied for hypertension and I've since had cardiac surgery so, rather than jump through a myriad of FAA hoops, I'll just treasure the memories

.

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Reply #4 - Jun 8^th, 2010 at 1:31pm

SeanTK Ex Member

The FAA: "We're not happy until you're not happy." Grin

I really need to get up in the air again, its been a long time! I have my PPL with the instrument, but I'm still curious about trying out those little LSAs. Cheesy

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Reply #5 - Jun 8^th, 2010 at 1:55pm

Fozzer Offline
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Hereford. England. EGBS.

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olderndirt wrote on Jun 8^th, 2010 at 9:31am:

Mine was denied for hypertension and I've since had cardiac surgery so, rather than jump through a myriad of FAA hoops, I'll just treasure the memories

.

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Paul... Wink

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Reply #6 - Jun 8^th, 2010 at 5:58pm

DaveSims Offline
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Clear Lake, Iowa

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olderndirt wrote on Jun 8^th, 2010 at 9:31am:

Mine was denied for hypertension and I've since had cardiac surgery so, rather than jump through a myriad of FAA hoops, I'll just treasure the memories

.

And there lies the problem. As long as you have never been denied a medical, it wouldn't matter. That is why many older pilots are giving up their medicals and just flying LSA rules, to avoid ever being denied.

Dave

www.flymcw.com

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Reply #7 - Jun 8^th, 2010 at 8:21pm

olderndirt Offline
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Flying is PFM
Rochester, WA

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Fozzer wrote on Jun 8^th, 2010 at 1:55pm:

olderndirt wrote on Jun 8^th, 2010 at 9:31am:

Mine was denied for hypertension and I've since had cardiac surgery so, rather than jump through a myriad of FAA hoops, I'll just treasure the memories

.

New Piston Rings and Valve Guides?

Paul... Wink

...

...!

And I think both intake and exhaust manifolds along with my catalyctic converter Cheesy

.

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Reply #8 - Jun 8^th, 2010 at 8:29pm

olderndirt Offline
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Flying is PFM
Rochester, WA

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Posts: 3574

DaveSims wrote on Jun 8^th, 2010 at 5:58pm:

olderndirt wrote on Jun 8^th, 2010 at 9:31am:

Mine was denied for hypertension and I've since had cardiac surgery so, rather than jump through a myriad of FAA hoops, I'll just treasure the memories

.

And there lies the problem. As long as you have never been denied a medical, it wouldn't matter. That is why many older pilots are giving up their medicals and just flying LSA rules, to avoid ever being denied.

In my heart of hearts, I don't think the FAA will see this as a problem. As devious as they are, this may be their way of keeping more of the 'high-end users' in the game. You won't be out there buying new equipment and services if your pesky medical's no longer valid.

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