Sport Pilot Talk

mcjon77 · Joined: 20 Aug 2007 Posts: 36 Location: Chicago

Does anyone know if a Sport Pilot can get their tailwheel endorsement and/or receive aerobatic training in a non-lsa.

I am not so much concerned about the tailwheel training with all of the cubs, champs, T-crafts, etc available. However, I can't find any instructors using 2 place aerobatic LSAs.

I would think that a sport pilot could get the training, since all of the flying would be dual, but I don't know.

Thanks,

Jon

CTflyer · Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2008 5:50 am Post subject:

"Does anyone know if a Sport Pilot can get their tailwheel endorsement and/or receive aerobatic training in a non-lsa. "

Jon -

Tailwheel is just an endorsement; common for sport pilots and PPL alike.

No problem getting training in a non-lsa. And no problem getting aerobatic training in a non-lsa. But remember - as a sport pilot you can't legally fly solo in a non-lsa.

Minor detail!

Tom

Chuckhhill · Joined: 09 Jul 2007 Posts: 45 Location: Concord, CA

I seem to remember there as an aerobatic ultralite biplane which you could fly after training of course, but without any license--scary stuff.

Chuckhhill · Joined: 09 Jul 2007 Posts: 45 Location: Concord, CA

You might also be interested in this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6Xj8FOUtGc&NR=1

Aerobatics in a Kitfox which would qualify for flight by a sport pilot.

Chuckhhill · Joined: 09 Jul 2007 Posts: 45 Location: Concord, CA

The aerobatic ultralight biplane I was thinking about was the Sorrell/Sunrise Aircraft Corp. SNS-8 Hyperlite

http://www.aircraftworlddirectory.com/civil/s/sorrellsns8hiperlight.htm

Cub flyer · Joined: 10 Sep 2006 Posts: 593

Watch out. Check with Skystar. A local bought one for that purpose and was told by them that the Kitfox Speedster was NOT stressed for Aerobatics.

Jim Franklin did it light and solo. And was very good. Similar to the flying farmer acts.

Two people with chutes doing aerobatics would not be good.

Cub flyer · Joined: 10 Sep 2006 Posts: 593

Is the Hyperlite aerobatic? The Hyperbipe was but never saw anything about the lite.

Also don't listen to any old timers saying a Luscombe was aerobatic. Sure it can do the maneuvers but it's not designed for it.

The only aerobatic LSA I can think of that was a certified airplane is the Reed clipped wing conversion of a J-3

http://www.airbum.com/pireps/PirepClippedCub.html

mcjon77 · Joined: 20 Aug 2007 Posts: 36 Location: Chicago

I am going to build a Sonex. It is stressed for aerobatics (and does a pretty good job at it, BTW). I want to get aerobatic training before doing in aerobatics in it, however. Right now, I am getting my workshop together and doing some traveling for work. I will start building in December.

Jon

Cub flyer · Joined: 10 Sep 2006 Posts: 593

They look like a nice airplane.

Any time in a Citabria or Decathalon will be fine. The Sonex will probably be easier to do aerobatics in.

If you could get a little time in a RV-6 or grumman yankee you'd be really prepared. Yankee is not aerobatic but is pretty quick handling.

Of course Sonex dual would be best.

mcjon77 · Joined: 20 Aug 2007 Posts: 36 Location: Chicago

Cub flyer wrote:
If you could get a little time in a RV-6 or grumman yankee you'd be really prepared. Yankee is not aerobatic but is pretty quick handling...

These are two of the planes I am considering getting dual training in, not for aerobatic purposes, but for insurance reasons. After talking with an insurance broker, he recomended that if I couldn't get dual instruction in a Sonex, getting dual in a "similar" plane would work. He mentioned the Zodiac, and I mentioned an RV-6 which he thought was a good idea as well.