Started training today!

[NismoRR]

Actually, I couldn't believe they just got a 162 at my school. I was seriously thinking about the ppl at a different school/airport, F70, but when I found out KHMT just got a brand new 162, it was done deal. And I should save 3-4k. Going for the ppl at F70 was going to cost 10-11k at a minmum, figuring 50 hours.

BTW, the Skycatcher rents for $110/hr.

[bryancobb]

I feel the Sport Pilot/LSA Sails FILLING UP WITH WIND! Come on Cessna! Ramp up your deliveries.

[tu16]

FWIW I studied with Gleim and didn't have neither regrets nor problems on all things knowledge all the way to the ticket. Don't have any experience with other, no doubt, equally successful courses.

Also, fwiw, I've found this old out-of-print book of a British aviator incredibly useful and satisfying for me (YMMV), complementing my actual flight training immensely:

http://www.amazon.com/Make-Better-Landi ... 0711019525

My plan was always to sign it and to present it to my primary, "shirttail-cutting" instructor after I get the ticket. But when it finally happened I couldn't force myself to part with it... :)

Surely there's a classc "Stick and Rudder" book but I found it overall somewhat outdated to my personal taste - but not w/o enlightment in parts.

Regarding expectations of hours needed to get a certificate (you mentioned 50hrs) - surely, LSA mandated flight experience minimums are less - but you'll arrive to that point at your own pace. Keep in mind that standards for all "stick and rudder" skills for passing an SP or PPL checkride are the same, but LSA is much lighter and, hence, may require development of a finer "stick and rudder" control skills to satisfy the same test standards in the same set of enviromental factors than in a heavier plane...

Good luck - I'm sure you'll have plenty of the fun! As for me - I'm having a blast all the way from the beginning ! :)

[NismoRR]

Have been going through the Gleim online test prep and making decent progress, completed unit 9 yesterday. Units 8 and 9 (Weather services/sectionals) are definitely the most time consuming for me. I got all the books in the kit, but just going through the test prep seems like the right path, and quickest way to get past the knowledge test. I'll do further reading for the tougher info, like units 8 and 9, but mostly do sudy/test questions. BTW, are those questions essentially the same ones that will show up on the knowledge test?

Thanks! And yes, I'm having a blast too!

[drseti]

BTW, are those questions essentially the same ones that will show up on the knowledge test?

Not just essentially, they are exactly the same questions, verbatim. I'm sure you'll ace the written, using the Gleim material. Please remember, however, that your real goal is to become a safe and competent pilot (and for that, you can look forward to a lifetime of studying after you get your license).

Glad you're having fun. Stay safe, and do please keep us all posted.

[NismoRR]

That's what I thought, that the questions were exactly the same. I don't expect any problems, but still, before you take any exam, there's a little apprehension. And believe me, I am reading more now than I ever have, and the reason is I find the material very interesting, and I take learning to fly seriously, and want to be confident in all situations. This weekend I finally learned how to properly read a sectional chart, for the most part. Started to learn how to use the flight computer last night too. Interesting little 'paper gadget!'

On a whole, Everything is going well. Five lessons in, most of the maneuvers have been covered and I'm going to be focusing on the pattern for the next few lessons. In the last two lessons, we did seven landings and I'm getting better. My approaches have been pretty good, I just have to develop that feel for the level off/flare and just let the plane settle. That will come, hopefully soon. Bottom line is I can't go flying enough!! I love this! I think I'll be getting rained out of two lessons this week which is unfortunate, but I'll just focus on the written and get that done in the next 2-3 weeks.

Hey Paul, one question. Do I need my CFI's endorsement to schedule the knowledge test, or do I need to have it when I take the test? Reason I ask is I probably won't see my CFI till next week and want to take the exam 3/3. He wants me to show him three practice tests with >90% to endorse, which I'll definitely have, but I would rather schedule it this week if possible.

Thanks!

Todd

[drseti]

Bottom line is I can't go flying enough!! I love this!

That's wonderful, Todd. Glad you're enjoying the experience. That's what flying is supposed to be all about! And, it sounds as though you're making really good progress.

Do I need my CFI's endorsement to schedule the knowledge test,

Either that, or a completion certificate from a ground school or online test-prep course (I think Gleim has a way for you to print one out when you've completed their material). However, an instructor's endorsement is always best; no testing center will argue with that.

He wants me to show him three practice tests with >90% to endorse,

Good policy. If you're consistently scoring in the 90s on practice tests, then you're ready for the real deal.

which I'll definitely have, but I would rather schedule it this week if possible.

Why don't you ask your instructor to write up an endorsement, sign it, scan it into a PDF, and email it to you? You can then print it out and paste it into the back of your logbook, and everything's covered.

Best of luck on your written, Todd. Stay calm and focused, and I'm sure you'll ace it.

[NismoRR]

Thanks for all that Paul. Spoke to my CFI yesterday (was rained out of the lesson) and he told me I can schedule the test without an endorsement. I'm going to call the local CATS center today and confirm. I'm looking to take the test two weeks from today. The next day is my birthday and we're going to do a xc to Catalina. Really looking forward to that!

[drseti]

The next day is my birthday and we're going to do a xc to Catalina. Really looking forward to that!

How fun! I don't know if they still exist, but the old Airport in the Sky Cafe used to have great buffalo burgers (that was 30 years ago, but it's worth looking into.)

Enroute to Catalina, be sure to practice your ground reference maneuvers (turns about a buoy; s-turns across a wake...)

[ka7eej]

FYI..
In Mesa Az,,,Falcon Executive, Aviation at Falcon Field (KFFZ) has a C- 162.. $110 plus $50 per hour for the very light instructor.. He must weigh all of 130 lbs... A good choice!!!! Leaves a lot of useful load for the average Sport Pilot Student. He says he has 80 hours in the C-162 and loves it!!!

Brian
Taylor Az