Sport Pilot training in an Ercoupe
Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2021 12:55 am
My neighbor owns a few planes and flies from PA to his house in DE nearly every weekend. I also have a place in DE and was a bit envious of the ability to cut a 3.5 hour commute to an hour or less in the air. I hadn’t flown in a GA aircraft since the 80s with my friends dad in his Grumman Tiger. I really just thought flying was out of reach for me. With my neighors encouragement and some direction I recently started out training with a recommended CFI. I couldn’t ask for a better instructor and it has been going great. I’m definitely hooked.
A few flights in I discovered that I was going to run into some hurdles with obtaining my medical. Talking with a few well known AMEs and other sources, I learned that I will most likely be able to get a medical eventually but it will take a bit of time. I decided lsa is a better route for now. I won’t be commuting to our beach place every week over the summer but I will get a lot of flying experience and build hours and confidence with a possibility of eventually going the private route (depending how the lsa rules change in the coming years).
With no lsa to rent at my local airport which is 5 minutes from home in PA, I decided to buy one. After searching for a few months I found what seems like the perfect Ercoupe and it’s being ferried to PA in about two weeks. I’ve been reading everything I can about Ercoupes and lsa aircraft. I’ve joined every forum and online group I can find. I’ve already learned a ton from this forum, so thanks! I’m excited to transition to the ‘coupe from the 172 I’ve been flying.
To support my flying I am a Registered Nurse and fortunate to have a unique schedule. I make a full time salary but work just 24 hours/week - 8 hours every Saturday and 16 hours every Sunday. This means I’ve got lots of time to dedicate to flying and improving my ability. I miss out on some weekend get togethers and other things but all the free time during the week makes it worthwhile. I’m hoping to get more involved with my local airport and perhaps start a second career revolving around something to do with flying/aviation. First step is obtaining my sport pilot certificate. Wish me luck!
A few flights in I discovered that I was going to run into some hurdles with obtaining my medical. Talking with a few well known AMEs and other sources, I learned that I will most likely be able to get a medical eventually but it will take a bit of time. I decided lsa is a better route for now. I won’t be commuting to our beach place every week over the summer but I will get a lot of flying experience and build hours and confidence with a possibility of eventually going the private route (depending how the lsa rules change in the coming years).
With no lsa to rent at my local airport which is 5 minutes from home in PA, I decided to buy one. After searching for a few months I found what seems like the perfect Ercoupe and it’s being ferried to PA in about two weeks. I’ve been reading everything I can about Ercoupes and lsa aircraft. I’ve joined every forum and online group I can find. I’ve already learned a ton from this forum, so thanks! I’m excited to transition to the ‘coupe from the 172 I’ve been flying.
To support my flying I am a Registered Nurse and fortunate to have a unique schedule. I make a full time salary but work just 24 hours/week - 8 hours every Saturday and 16 hours every Sunday. This means I’ve got lots of time to dedicate to flying and improving my ability. I miss out on some weekend get togethers and other things but all the free time during the week makes it worthwhile. I’m hoping to get more involved with my local airport and perhaps start a second career revolving around something to do with flying/aviation. First step is obtaining my sport pilot certificate. Wish me luck!
