Sport Pilot International Flights

[rsteele]

When I was trying to determine how this works (and I agree with the opinion that only one endorsement is needed) I was trying to determine if there are any class B airports where a SP can land. As far as I can tell, the endorsement lets the SP fly in B space, but all class B airports fall are in the list where we aren't allowed to land.

Did I miss something? Are there any B airports a SP where an SP can land? I've no desire at all to do this BTW, just curious if I missed something.

Ron

[dstclair]

Sure. A Sport Pilot may NOT land/take-off from:

Pursuant to §91.131(b)(2), solo student, sport, and recreational pilot operations are not permitted at any of the following airports.

Atlanta, GA (The William B. Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport)

Boston, MA (General Edward Lawrence Logan International Airport)

Chicago, IL (Chicago-O'Hare International Airport)

Dallas, TX (Dallas/Fort Worth Regional Airport)

Los Angeles, CA (Los Angeles International Airport)

Miami, FL (Miami International Airport)

Newark, NJ (Newark International Airport)

New York, NY (John F. Kennedy International Airport)

New York, NY (LaGuardia Airport)

San Francisco, CA (San Francisco International Airport)

Washington, DC (Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport)

Andrews Air Force Base, MD

Every place else is fair game.

[ArionAv8or]

YEA, that opens up Orlando and Tampa. Well don't hold your breath waiting for me to land at either one of them. I will transition their airspace but there is no way in h@77 I want to land there.

BTW - Thanks for the list.

[KSCessnaDriver]

YEA, that opens up Orlando and Tampa. Well don't hold your breath waiting for me to land at either one of them. I will transition their airspace but there is no way in h@77 I want to land there.

Tampa wouldn't be half bad. I probably wouldn't do MCO in an LSA. I didn't like the feeling of flying the pattern with a 737 behind me in the Remos I flew at a class C airport.

Otherwise, I don't mind flying small planes at the big airports. More often than not, its easier to get services at weird hours there than at smaller airports.

[dstclair]

You have MSP, MCI and CVG as well. Can't remember the other Class Bs.

As Ron said, I don't think you'd WANT to land at the prohibited Class B airports or even busy Class Cs. They just aren't geared to handle small general aviation and landing/ramp fees are atrocious. You generally have many other options at landing at the reliever airports. I like KISM for Orlando.

There are lot's of Class C airports that have minimal commercial traffic and welcome us little guys, though.

Which brings us back to original endorsement question. Definately, worth the effort since it opens up more cross country places.

[KSCessnaDriver]

You have MSP, MCI and CVG as well. Can't remember the other Class Bs.

MCI is by far the most pleasant class B I've ever been to/through. They'll let you do pattern work any time you want it. Heck, even when they were down to one runway for North/South operations, they would still work out patten work for the light GA guys if it wasn't too busy.

[N918KT]

I learned that most airports in the Bahamas I think are uncontrolled. I don't understand why the Bahamas government want SPs to get an airspace endorsement, not that I'm not planning to get that endorsement.

[ibgarrett]

See, my thought is if/when I head down there I'm going to call ahead and see if I can schedule some dual-time with an instructor, just to say I've flown in and out of there. I'm hoping by the time I make it down there (October of next year) I'll have gotten my Private Pilot license and the point will be moot, but being a slow learner, one never knows how long it might take me.

This has been a great and enlightening discussion.

[ArionAv8or]

Just to ensure I didn't have a brain fart and forget something, please chime in and let me know if there is anything else needed for flight into the Bahamas.

1) Passport
2) Driver's License or 3rd Class Medical
3) Logbook w/ Class B, C and D Endorsement
4) eAPIS Manifest and VFR Flight Plan
5) Customs Decal, although this can be gotten at your arriving AOE.
6) Radio Station License for aircraft
7) Radio Telephone Operator's License
8( Aircraft Documentation (A.R.R.O.W.)
9) Lifevest for each occupant
10) 12" N Numbers

Once everything is in order I will be planning a flight if anyone else is interested in joining the group. I already have 2 more Lightnings that will be participating in the flight.

[Pawlander]

With respect to the Class B/C/D endorsement, the FAR's don't specify that you need to fly in each of those to receive the endorsement. You must receive training from an authorized instructor (and logbook endorsement) that certifies

"you are proficient in the following aeronautical knowledge areas and areas of operation:

(a) the use of radios, communications, navigation systems/facilities, and radar services.

(b) Operations at airports with an operating control tower to include three takeoffs and landings to a full stop, with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern, at an airport with an operating control tower.

(c) Applicable flight rules of part 91 of this chapter for operations in Class B, C, and D airspace and air traffic control clearances."


So, you do need to have instruction about the various types of airspace, and you do need to have actual flight time at a controlled field, but you do not have to have landings at all three types to get the endorsement. You can do your landings at a C or D, so long as your instructor makes sure you understand the obligations at a B, too, and specifies in the endorsement that you are qualified.

I highly recommend you make sure your endorsement specifies all three. While I've not landed an LSA at a Class B main airport, I have frequently sought (and always received) clearance to fly through Bravo airspace at various locations (PIT, CLT, MCO, TPA, etc. plus the DC SFRA for which you must also take the FAA's online training)

If you travel in an area that has Class B airspace, get the endorsement.

[ArionAv8or]

I highly recommend you make sure your endorsement specifies all three.

After looking at all the endorsements available for Sport Pilots I don't believe you have an option. The only airspace endorsement I have seen listed is the Class B, C and D Endorsement.

"Class B, C, Or D Airspace, at an Airport Located in Class B, C, Or D Airspace, or To, From, Through, or On an Airport Having an Operational Control Tower:§61.325
I certify that (First name, MI, Last name) has received the required training of § 61.325. I have determined he/she is proficient to conduct operations in Class B, C, or D airspace, at an airport located in Class B, C, or D airspace, or to, from, through, or on an airport having an operational control tower."

This information can be found in the CFI Handbook for Sport Pilots

http://www.sportpilot.org/learn/cfi_guide.pdf

[3Dreaming]

I think the point he was trying to make was that you did not have to go fly at a class B airport. The training could be done on the ground with landings at only a class C or D airport. The endorsement for sure should cover all 3 types of airspace. Tom

[ArionAv8or]

I think the point he was trying to make was that you did not have to go fly at a class B airport. The training could be done on the ground with landings at only a class C or D airport. The endorsement for sure should cover all 3 types of airspace. Tom

If you go back and read all the posts you will see there was much discussion surrounding a single airspace endorsement or if an endorsement was needed for all three. My response answered these questions as they were never clearly defined. Please try and keep up with the entire thread.

[3Dreaming]

I think the point he was trying to make was that you did not have to go fly at a class B airport. The training could be done on the ground with landings at only a class C or D airport. The endorsement for sure should cover all 3 types of airspace. Tom

If you go back and read all the posts you will see there was much discussion surrounding a single airspace endorsement or if an endorsement was needed for all three. My response answered these questions as they were never clearly defined. Please try and keep up with the entire thread.

I'm sorry! I have read every post in the thread, but I read them when they were new. The thread started a month and a half ago. My memory for everything I read is not that good, and I didn't have time to go back and re-read everything. I do remember that you talked about getting additional endorsements for class C and B airspace. The endorsement covered by 61.325 requires training for all 3 classes of airspace, and should be signed off for all 3 classes. If you do it for one you have to do it for all. However the flight training is not airspace class specific. It just has to be done at an airport with an operating control tower.

[ArionAv8or]

If you are interested in flying to the Bahamas I found a good video on flight procedures, Customs and Border Patrol, island hopping, etc...

http://www.bahamasaviator.com/video1.html