Sport Pilot Talk

ming1000 · Joined: 26 Jun 2010 Posts: 22

Hi,

I'm thinking of start my sport pilot training in Augest. I'd like to do an accelerate training.

I contact two schools: school A uses Tecnam, and is dedicated to sport pilot training; the down side is that it requires 5 hours drive one way.

school B has a CTLS, dedecated to private and above training, the pro side is that it is two and a half drive; I can still do the weekend warrior stuff if I can't finish it within 2 weeks.

What bothers me about school B is the CTLS, I'm a little scared about its landing; in addition, I asked them about NEW intrument training requirement, but they aren't even aware of it.

zdc · Guest

ming1000 wrote: Hi,

I'm thinking of start my sport pilot training in Augest. I'd like to do an accelerate training.

I contact two schools: school A uses Tecnam, and is dedicated to sport pilot training; the down side is that it requires 5 hours drive one way.

school B has a CTLS, dedecated to private and above training, the pro side is that it is two and a half drive; I can still do the weekend warrior stuff if I can't finish it within 2 weeks.

What bothers me about school B is the CTLS, I'm a little scared about its landing; in addition, I asked them about NEW intrument training requirement, but they aren't even aware of it.

School B may have been confused by your question becuase there is no new instrument training requirements.

roger lee · Posted: Sun Jul 25, 2010 2:48 pm Post subject: Training

Hi Ming,

There is nothing wrong with either plane, just don't be afraid of either for the wrong reasons.

Don't be afraid of the CT it isn't a big deal. I own a CT and like anything else in life it's what you get used to. The CT will make you fly and because of that make you better at landings all around. Many people have learned in a CT and they are all doing well. You can fly what I term "station wagons" or a "Ferrari". Neither is bad, but just different. A station wagon takes either a lot of input or force to move it around. A Ferrari takes just a touch. I personally like the touch, much less fatiguing.
The only real issues with the CT, used to be that a high time pilot or a CFI thought they could fly anything or that the LSA group were just toys. They were the big problem with bad landings in the LSA category. It isn't new people. The high timers thought they didn't need any transition training. Now MFG's and schools are making sure their people get that transition time. The letters CFI behind someones name doesn't necessarily equate with good pilot or even a good instructor. There are over 320 CT's flying in the US and 1500+ in the world. They all can't be wrong.

Paul Hamilton

ming1000 wrote: Hi,

What bothers me about school B is the CTLS, I'm a little scared about its landing; in addition, I asked them about NEW intrument training requirement, but they aren't even aware of it.

There has always been instrument training requirements for all pilots solo, they have just relaxed the instrument training for Vh below 87 knots, which neither of these airplanes meet.

For the CTLS there are no new instrument training requirements.

Here they are so there is little question now 61.93 (e) 12
can be found at:
http://lsapilot.beasportpilot.com/airplane-lsa-pilot/sport-pilot-resources/lsa-faa-resources/
directly at:
http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=1c7ac2384ae28bc7c613a4d48e29f5f8&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title14/14cfr61_main_02.tpl

and here it is copied from the regulations:
§ 61.93 Solo cross-country flight requirements.
e) Maneuvers and procedures for cross-country flight training in a single-engine airplane. A student pilot who is receiving training for cross-country flight in a single-engine airplane must receive and log flight training in the following maneuvers and procedures:
(12) Control and maneuvering solely by reference to flight instruments, including straight and level flight, turns, descents, climbs, use of radio aids, and ATC directives. For student pilots seeking a sport pilot certificate, the provisions of this paragraph only apply when receiving training for cross-country flight in an airplane that has a VHgreater than 87 knots CAS.

As I just said in another blog on this, there is some debate about this, but the way I understand it, if you do not have an attitude indicator, a partial panel (airspeed, altitude, compass) is acceptable for this requirement.

ming1000 · Guest Joined: 26 Jun 2010 Posts: 22

Hi,
thank you all, it's much clearer now.

tadel001 · Guest Joined: 12 Mar 2007 Posts: 251

If you are in a toss up, I would ask the following questions to see if it helps guide you:

1) How many instructors do you have, i.e. if my instructor gets sick or unavailable do you have someone to substitute;

2) How many DPEs do you have to do my checkride. You don't want to get to the end of the road and find out you can't schedule the only available DPE;

3) What training materials are you using and why did you choose them? Not all training materials were developed for the type of flying you will do in a CTLS or Tecnam.

4) Do you have your own maintenance facility. There is nothing more frustrating than booking a plane, planning a lesson and then finding out that the plane is down for a flat tire and the shop isn't considering it a priority to get it fixed.

I don't know what schools you are looking at. In the interest of full disclosure, I am one of the owners of Chesapeake Sport Pilot. These are some of questions/issues we learned over the years and get asked on a regular basis.

Good luck. BEcome a sport pilot no matter what plane you fly!

Paul Hamilton · Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 11:03 am Post subject:

Ming,
In addition to all the good suggestions above, try them both out and see how you "feel" about it afterwords. This will help make your decision easier.

ming1000 · Guest Joined: 26 Jun 2010 Posts: 22

Hi, Guys

thank you very much, Tadel and Paul; those are really good suggestions.

Actually, I flew CTLS today, it's fantastic and a little bit scared with 60 degree bank. :lol: . I'll start a new thread about it.

It looks like I will go to the Tecnam school. :P .

Thank you all again.

Paul Hamilton · Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 9:09 pm Post subject:

Was it the airplane or the school that made your decision?

ming1000 · Guest Joined: 26 Jun 2010 Posts: 22

Paul Hamilton wrote: Was it the airplane or the school that made your decision?

Pual,
I think it's the school makes me to distant it a little; they are very nice people, yet they're very commited to private not sport; my supposed instructor claimed that he's not a big fan of SP and that wanted to talk me up.

The plane is another factor, we all know it's landing issue; because of it, the school will put me on 172 and then move back CT, this approach is a little ridiculous to me: at very beggining of flight training, I have to do tranisition.

I'll probably make a tour to Tecnam school coming weekend, do the same stuff as I did with CT school.

Paul Hamilton · Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2010 8:21 am Post subject:

ming1000 wrote:

I'll probably make a tour to Tecnam school coming weekend, do the same stuff as I did with CT school.
Thanks for the update. What some of the schools who have more experience with sport pilot are doing is getting you started as a Sport Pilot in a LSA and than talking you into private once you get some flight hours. In your initial training it does not matter, the sport and private are the same (as long as the instructor is qualified to teach private). You can solo your little heart out in a LSA with no medical and have it all go to private. The CTLS is a fine airplane to train in (yes maybe stay away from the CTSW). After they loose a number of students they will eventually figure it out. Please let us know how it goes at the Tecnam school.