Sport Pilot Talk

It would be nice to see how many SP we have that hold no other Certificate. How about CFI, who holds only a SP CFI and nothing else?

It seems to me almost 95% of those claiming to be a SP are in fact a PP with a SP indorsment.

Chime in here if you are only a Student SP or a Certificated SP or a SP CFI and not a PP CFI with a SP CFI Indorsment.

Tony

Sport pilot, that's it. Probably will be my last and only rating. I'm not interested in flying in bad weather or at night, and certified aircraft aren't of much interest to me. Nice not ever having to worry about a medical. The sport pilot rule, along with the Evektor Sportstar were a combo I just had to explore.

I have only a sport pilot rating. It has been all I need to have a good time. A little biger airplane would be nice and flying at night would be fun but I doubt I will get to that level at least for now. SP has been a lot of fun but with work and family I dont think I can take that attention away from them to get the next level. Maby on down the road I may get the PP when I have the time.

I have a Sport pilot with the needed endorsements. I chose got get the sp based on what type of plane and the type of missions I wanted to fly. No regrets or thoughts to get more, but it also hasn't stopped additional lessons to learn new skills.

David wrote:I have a Sport pilot with the needed endorsements. I chose got get the sp based on what type of plane and the type of missions I wanted to fly. No regrets or thoughts to get more, but it also hasn't stopped additional lessons to learn new skills.

Did you start in a single seater? This is the kind of info I am looking for. How did you find a CFI and was that CFI just a SP CFI or a PP CFI with a SP CFI Indorsement?

AS you can see from how many have looked at this thread and how many have posted. There are not many of us.

Tony

Torque wrote:was that CFI just a SP CFI or a PP CFI with a SP CFI Indorsement?

First off, some terminology. The traditional CFI is licensed under FAR Part 91 Subpart H. He or she must hold a commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating, and take both knowledge and practical tests to be certified. Then, the CFI must renew his or her certificate every 24 calendar months.

The so-called SP CFI is licensed under FAR Part 91 Subpart K. He or she need not hold a Commercial (or even a Private) pilot certificate, and need not have an instrument rating. There are still written and flight tests, and a two-year renewal, just like there are under Subpart H.

Both the Subpart H and the Subpart K instructors are entitled to be called CFIs. Both can give instruction toward the Sport Pilot license. Both are real CFIs, although in the minds of most pilots, only the Subpart H instructor is referred to by that title.

Finally, there is no such thing as an SP CFI "endorsement." A Subpart H CFI can instruct Sport Pilots with no special additional training or endorsements. Sadly, the vast majority of Subpart H instructors choose not to exercise that privilege.

(OTOH, maybe that's a good thing. Do we really want folks training Sport Pilots, if they haven't bothered to learn the Sport Pilot practical test standards, endorsements, privileges, and limitations?)

Torque wrote: It seems to me almost 95% of those claiming to be a SP are in fact a PP with a SP indorsment.

In a like vein to my previous post, I should point out that there is no "SP endorsement" for Private Pilots. Any person holding a PP rating (or higher) can legally exercise Sport Pilot privileges with no additional training or endorsements. Of course, for safety, anyone transitioning from one type of aircraft to another should seek appropriate training from a qualified instructor, and many insurance companies require this, but the FAA doesn't.

Now, as for your statistic, my experience differs. In my small flight school, I have licensed 8 Sport Pilots who held no previous license. I have only transitioned 3 Private Pilots or above to flying LSAs.That comes to 73% Sport Pilots, and 27% PP and above operating under SP rules.

I guess I should answer your original question. I hold a Commercial Pilot certificate with instrument, CFI (subpart H), and CFII ratings. I also currently fly Ercoupes and Evektor SportStars under Sport Pilot rules. I have let my medical lapse, sold my complex aircraft (a Beechcraft which I owned for 30 years), and am perfectly happy to fly in, and instruct in, LSAs. So, I guess I'm part of the 95% you cited (though I still dispute your number.)

Now, as for your statistic, my experience differs. In my small flight school, I have licensed 8 Sport Pilots who held no previous license. I have only transitioned 3 Private Pilots or above to flying LSAs.That comes to 73% Sport Pilots, and 27% PP and above operating under SP rules.[/quote]


I was talking on this website. From the few whom has posted on this thread they understand what I mean. When I logged into this site I thought I would be talking to SP not PP who want to act like a SP. So I thought I would ask this question and find out whom my other SP are. I see they are few.

Does this bother you me asking this question, if so why?


Tony

I had just returned from a great flight at the LSA Fly-in and was standing in the lobby of the hotel waiting to talk with someone about the lack of hot water. Other pilots were engaged in hangar talk and I noticed a guy standing off to the side. So I asked him about his flight. He had flown alone out to Monument Valley. "I'm only a Sport Pilot, not a professional pilot."

What?

It seems he was intimated by the high number of hours, multiple ratings and general background of many of the others pilots at this event. We have all worked hard, spent lot's of time and money and effort to get those little letters on that plastic card in our wallets. We should take pride in that...but not to the point that we intimate others. When we start 'looking down our noses' at others with less accomplishments we are doing something wrong. Unfortunately there are some flight schools like that.

deltafox wrote:I had just returned from a great flight at the LSA Fly-in and was standing in the lobby of the hotel waiting to talk with someone about the lack of hot water. Other pilots were engaged in hangar talk and I noticed a guy standing off to the side. So I asked him about his flight. He had flown alone out to Monument Valley. "I'm only a Sport Pilot, not a professional pilot."

What?

It seems he was intimated by the high number of hours, multiple ratings and general background of many of the others pilots at this event. We have all worked hard, spent lot's of time and money and effort to get those little letters on that plastic card in our wallets. We should take pride in that...but not to the point that we intimate others. When we start 'looking down our noses' at others with less accomplishments we are doing something wrong. Unfortunately there are some flight schools like that.

Every year here in Illinois the FAA holds a Saftey seminar. I have a couple friends who attain this. I have not of yet, I seem to be in the hospital every year this comes around, maybe this year will be my year to attained.
One of my friends took video for me last year. As I was watching this I noticed they where off by themselfs. I asked why. He said we are only SP and not PP.


Tony

It could be its not the certificate that one holds but what one flies. When someone whom flies a Bonaza or even one of these new LSA that go for 100,000 bucks, asks what do you fly and you say a quicksilver or trike or wieght shift most look as these as toys. Even the single seat hi-drag low powered plane.
I had an FAA inspector come look at my bird last winter. Guess what he said......Nice toy....I just stood there with this stupid smile...Thanks......I felt about 4 feet tall.

Tony

Torque wrote:Does this bother you me asking this question

Oh, not at all, Tony! Questions like yours are exactly what this forum is for, and the discussions that ensue are beneficial and informative for all of us. Keep asking!

Torque wrote:He said we are only SP and not PP.

Hey, a pilot is a pilot. From a distance, you can't even read the fine print on the plastic card!

Torque wrote:Guess what he said......Nice toy....I just stood there with this stupid smile...Thanks......I felt about 4 feet tall.

Tony, you should have felt ten feet tall. When I say "nice toy" (and I sometimes do), it's definitely a compliment -- and I'm wishing I had more time to play with toys like yours. Best response is to smile, and say "thank you. It's tons of fun! You should try it."