best IFR LSA

[zdc]

Have Americans really come to this where average weight is 200 lbs? Let's say the two weigh 180 lbs average which would give you another hours worth of fuel which would be enough for some flights. You only have to have enough fuel to fly to the alternate if one is required, if you get to your destination and it is below mins you don't have to waste fuel flying an approach.

Most IFR flight training is probably going to be conducted near home base and most of the time in VFR wx so the Zodiac would be fine for that. If your looking to own an airplane and plan on doing a lot of IFR flying, a sport plane is not what your looking for anyway, at least not for me. If two 200 lb guys want to go flying together in a sport plane, regardless of useful load, have fun!

[[email protected]]

anyone remember 6 and 2 and 8 and 2? the requirements that we learn in instrument training for requiring an alternate? Im not going to recite FAR's here but i believe if memory serves me correct it's 91.169 and it basically says that if you are based at an airport with instrument airport(not to include rnav approaches) it is safe to say that you can 9 times out of 10 do the flight without needing to file an alternate. On the other hand Helen does bring up a good point which is that with fuel requirements for IFR flight, the size of the pilots could limit how much training you can do. I think that I have come to the conclusion that there are better ways to get hours. I will simply keep applying for jobs at schools and eventually one of them will actually be hiring. Patience is a virtue that skipped my generation.

[Helen]

Have Americans really come to this where average weight is 200 lbs?

I'd say the average weight of my customers is between 200 and 230lbs. I am being conservative in my calculations by using 200lbs.

Helen

[zdc]

Wow. With customers that size, I guess weight could be the deciding factor in selection of a sport plane. Funny how the govt works isn't it? They finally relent on unnecesary medical requirements, but then turn around and tell the people who most need the exemption that they have to fly in planes that may be, well, a bit too small for them. Perhaps AOPA could start a new lobbying campaign to delete the medical requirements for the recreational pilot certificate, which with proper training and endorsements would have identical privileges to sport pilot with the exception that you wouldn't be restricted to sport planes.

[rfane]

Perhaps AOPA could start a new lobbying campaign to delete the medical requirements for the recreational pilot certificate, which with proper training and endorsements would have identical privileges to sport pilot with the exception that you wouldn't be restricted to sport planes.

Not quite. Recreational Pilot Cert holders are limited to 25 NM. That's why only 40 or so of them have ever been issued. Sport Pilot allows alot more freedom, except for choice of aircraft.

[zdc]

Check out FAR 61.101 paragraphs c and d. Compliance with those paragraphs will give a recreational pilot unlimited x cntry and class B, C and D privileges. When the FAA created this catagory they should have dropped the medical requirements.

[Bill]

Check out FAR 61.101 paragraphs c and d. Compliance with those paragraphs will give a recreational pilot unlimited x cntry and class B, C and D privileges. When the FAA created this catagory they should have dropped the medical requirements.

But they didn't and they won't.

[zdc]

Bill, regulations can be changed. There is really no logic for a recreational pilot to have a medical and sport pilot not to.

By the way, keep the Ercoupe, it's a tremendous value. I keep wondering why some of the LSA manufactures don't design a canopy like the Ercoupe so you could have that open cockpit feeling and keep from frying in the summer.

[drseti]

I keep wondering why some of the LSA manufactures don't design a canopy like the Ercoupe so you could have that open cockpit feeling and keep from frying in the summer.

You've just described the Tecnam Sierra!

[drseti]

If you are interested, I have a new IFR Sierra for sale. Equipped with Garmin 530, Dual Advanced Flight Systems, Garmin 496, Garmin SL30, Garmin 327, and much much more.

I realize this was posted over a year ago, but can't resist asking: is this Tecnam still on the market? If so, what's the asking price? If not, what did it sell for?

[Bill]

I keep wondering why some of the LSA manufactures don't design a canopy like the Ercoupe so you could have that open cockpit feeling and keep from frying in the summer.

You've just described the Tecnam Sierra!

Slight difference being that the PIC must decide before takeoff to have the buble open or closed. With the 'Coupe I can lower the side windows in flight - or open them part way on warm, but not hot, days.

I did see the Tecnam Sierra IFR at Bay Bridge Airport. By coincidence I was there the day it was flown away by the new owner and his CFI. IIRC the "asking" price was about 170K - but have no idea for how much it actually sold.