Van's New SLSA

[NASA515]

One place I DEFINITELY want to go in my LSA - is Canada! My wife is Canadian, I lived in Canada for a number of years (where we met), and I live only 40 miles from the Canadian border. I have several dozen Canadian friends and relatives on my destination list.

The Canadians allow LSA AIRPLANES, but not LSA PILOTS. They are still in love with Medicals.

In the Q&A after last year's Northwest Aviation show, I asked Craig Fuller - Prez of AOPA - if AOPA would lobby the Canadians (like they did in the Bahamas) to get that restriction lifted. He took some notes and told a subordinate to check it out. This year - he was back - and I asked the same question again. Then I followed up with an email to him directly. He promptly announced his resignation - No! - I didn't do it!

This would "appear" fairly straightforward, since the Canadian AOPA is on scene as a home-grown lobbying organization.

With Fuller (and Hightower of EAA) gone, I plan to keep pushing this wet noodle - an army of One. In the meantime, I'm starting to read about flying to the Bahamas (where we also have friends.) There have been several mass LSA fly-ins to the islands. They have better beaches too.......

Bob Bogash
N737G

[Tony_T]

Originally Posted by pietermk

Another point I still hear after almost 8 years of sport pilot license; you can't go any where with a sport license, no more than 50 miles form your home field. .......

Peter

Peter, you should have pointed out that there is no 50 mile restriction for sport pilots in FAR 61.315, Privileges And Limits of My Sport Pilot Certificate, so as to alleviate this misconception.

However, even private pilots with an instrument rating must obey the limitations of 61.315 if they are operating under sport pilot privileges, so note that flying without visual reference to the surface, i.e. above a cloud deck is not allowed. This is the one thing I have found in 61.315 that is a serious limitation when going cross country. There are many areas along the coast and even inland that have low lying cloud or mist formations during the day.

Tony

[DonFromTX]

That bothers me as well. I have not read up, but like myself, I have a private pilot license and of course use my drivers license instead of a medical. So I am technically NOT an LSA pilot, or a sport pilot. Does Canada still dislike me just as much?

Originally Posted by NASA515

One place I DEFINITELY want to go in my LSA - is Canada! My wife is Canadian, I lived in Canada for a number of years (where we met), and I live only 40 miles from the Canadian border. I have several dozen Canadian friends and relatives on my destination list.

The Canadians allow LSA AIRPLANES, but not LSA PILOTS. They are still in love with Medicals.

In the Q&A after last year's Northwest Aviation show, I asked Craig Fuller - Prez of AOPA - if AOPA would lobby the Canadians (like they did in the Bahamas) to get that restriction lifted. He took some notes and told a subordinate to check it out. This year - he was back - and I asked the same question again. Then I followed up with an email to him directly. He promptly announced his resignation - No! - I didn't do it!

This would "appear" fairly straightforward, since the Canadian AOPA is on scene as a home-grown lobbying organization.

With Fuller (and Hightower of EAA) gone, I plan to keep pushing this wet noodle - an army of One. In the meantime, I'm starting to read about flying to the Bahamas (where we also have friends.) There have been several mass LSA fly-ins to the islands. They have better beaches too.......

Bob Bogash
N737G

[NASA515]

of course use my drivers license instead of a medical. So I am technically NOT an LSA pilot, or a sport pilot. Does Canada still dislike me just as much?

I think the operative words are "exercising the privileges of....", Don. If you are a PP (or even an ATP), and are flying an LSA while exercising the privileges of a Light Sport Pilot, you are a Light Sport Pilot in the eyes of the Canadians.

In other words, what you need are a current and valid Third Class Medical Certificate on your person. If you don't have one, you are persona non grata.

Bob Bogash
N737G

[RFSchaller]

Reading the back and forth on the future of LSA made me realize that we all have different goals and needs in our flying and that colors our opinions. I am lucky enough to have a Cherokee and a 12. When mamma wants to haul the suitcases to Las Vegas the Cherokee wins hands down, but when it's just two of us on a day jaunt (or just me on an RON) the RV-12 wins the contest.

[pietermk]

Originally Posted by Tony_T

Peter, you should have pointed out that there is no 50 mile restriction for sport pilots in FAR 61.315, Privileges And Limits of My Sport Pilot Certificate, so as to alleviate this misconception.

Tony

I always point that out Tony, recently it was with a CFI

[Driftdown]

Bob,

Thanks for your post.

Another consideration, regarding American LSA pilots flying in Canada, is that it would allow flights to Alaska, through Canadian airspace, with fuel and hotel stops enroute.

I plan on staying with the LSA privilege. Flight into Canada would be awesome. Plenty to see and do up there.

Keep plugging away. Maybe someday it will happen.


Bill I.

[NASA515]

Roger that, on the Alaska flights, Bill. I have a lot of friends up there as well. That has more than entered my thought stream. Actually, as I've day-dreamed while trying to finish my airplane, I've run DUATs flight plans that circumvent the "problem."

Bellingham or Port Angeles direct to Ketchikan would circumvent the problem, while creating challenges of their own. Bad weather would be the main concern. Hostile terrain is another. There IS the problem of range - but that could be dealt with by using a ferry tank.

From: BLI -- Bellingham WA
To: PAKT -- Ketchikan AK
Alt.: 8,500 ft. Profile: RV12
Time: Tue Mar 19 02:26 (UTC)

No-wind option selected.
Routing options selected: Automatic low altitude airway.
Flight plan route:
Direct
Flight totals: fuel: 22 gallons, time: 4:36, distance 518.2 nm.

If you had an emergency and had to land in Canada, I don't know what they'd do. Maybe take the wings off and ship her home by boat? Lock you up till you passed a Third Class???

Bob Bogash
N737G

[pierre smith]

Bob, Vic Syracuse and his wife, Carol, have done the Alaska trip in their -10 and as I understand, he is now one of www.flyalaska.com escorts for loose multi-plane trips up there.

He's a sorta regular on here and I have his contact info if it's needed. The aircraft are divided up by cruise speeds to be compatible with each other as well.

Best,

[Limey]

Originally Posted by NASA515

...Lock you up till you passed a Third Class???

Now THAT is funny!