PPA and CFI-SPs

[jjfjr]

Hi;

I'm thinking of becoming a sport pilot CFI. If the pilot protection act that has recently been introduced in both houses of congress becomes law it will in part allow pilots to use a valid driver's license for "VFR operations only, at or below 14,000 feet MSL at speeds no faster than 250 knots in aircraft with no more than six seats and no more than 6,000 pounds gross takeoff weight."

If this does become law, what might happen to the light sport aspect of general aviation? Will it be worth it to continue to pursue a CFI-SP cert?

Thanks;

jjfjr

[Nomore767]

To me it depends on if any change to the 3rd class medical for PPLs is across the board or, as the FAA has indicated, affects only certain pilots in 'certain instances'.

[MovingOn]

.......

[MrMorden]

Nobody knows. It could end up just being a tiny loophole for a few pilots, or could eviscerate the 3rd class medical and render the Sport Pilot certificate irrelevant. We have to wait probably 6-12 months more at least to know what might happen. If I were you, I might wait on the CFI-SP rating if it's going to cost you any significant amount of time and money to pursue.

[mhaleem]

I think you should move forward with pursuing the rating due to the following reasoning:

(1) Though many won't admit it, the cost of the sport pilot license is significantly less than the private pilot (you could market this fact hard to prospective students)
(2) It takes a shorter time to obtain the rating, which means one can become a pilot sooner (another marketing point)
(3) You avoid a lot of red tape and incur a much greater expense going the "regular cfi" route (FAA/FSDO checkride, having to obtain a private, instrument, commercial and cfi, which costs big dough!!!)

[Merlinspop]

I think you should move forward with pursuing the rating due to the following reasoning:

(1) Though many won't admit it, the cost of the sport pilot license is significantly less than the private pilot (you could market this fact hard to prospective students)
(2) It takes a shorter time to obtain the rating, which means one can become a pilot sooner (another marketing point)
(3) You avoid a lot of red tape and incur a much greater expense going the "regular cfi" route (FAA/FSDO checkride, having to obtain a private, instrument, commercial and cfi, which costs big dough!!!)

I was going to suggest starting the process for these three reasons, plus
(4) The training you receive and things you learn, even if events down the road cause you to abandon the pursuit, will be beneficial to you anyway.

[dstclair]

5) SP is both a destination and an entry point. Many pilots will find that SP privileges allow them to achieve all their flying goals while others may find they want to achieve higher ratings. The cost to transition to a PP is relatively small going this route and has the advantage of getting your rating quicker and cheaper.

[deltafox]

6) Learning to fly an LSA is a lot more FUN than flying an old Cessna truck.

[Merlinspop]

JjfJr.... You didn't say where you're starting from. Are you already a PP? An SP? Just starting out?

[David]

6) Learning to fly an LSA is a lot more FUN than flying an old Cessna truck.

I second that!

[FrankR]

You are going to need the FOI anyway, no matter what you do.

Might as well...