Why flight schools hate sport pilot certificate?

[Waterobert]

I am sure that I can get my medical today, my concern is that by the time I build my plane, it won't be that easy. With my limited $ it will be 5-6 years, a lot can change by that time. Anyway, so far I went to 3 schools and none off them have plane light enough for sport licence. It must be a new thing, so PPL is my only option. I am just surprised that school with 20 airplanes doesn't have one for sport licence. LOL

[Nihon_Ni]

Every pilot has a path they chose to navigate their way through a variety of certificates, experience, and qualifications. Many of these folks feel as their path was the best path, and everyone should do just as they did and they consider everything else folly. Add to that the fact that a lot of CFIs are on a track to take them to the airlines, so someone with a drastically different aviation goal just doesn't compute.

To compound the problem, most pilots and instructors don't understand the Sport rating and they shun it out of ignorance. I even had a FSDO inspector tell me I shouldn't be allowed to fly with a Sport rating because it wasn't enough training. Mind you, I was a 2,000 hr commercial pilot, CFI, MEI, etc. when I stopped at the Honolulu FSDO to ask about getting a Sport Glider rating. In reality, the only difference in training was 3 solo landings for the Sport, and 20 solo landings for the Commercial. Each pilot certificate has a different level of privileges and limitations. Pick the one that lines up with your aviation goals and find someone to help you attain that rating.

It's true that finding Light Sport Aircraft can be a challenge, but they are around. I have flown a Champ out of Brown Field that fits the bill. It's the most fun you can have on 65 hp! LSA options are limited, but they're out there if you search for them. You could also build a RV-12 as an ELSA, and that will solve your problem.

A point to remember is that a disqualifying medical condition for a 3rd class medical will also disqualify you to fly with a Sport Rating. (See 60.23.c.2.iv. Not know or have reason to know of any medical condition that would make that person unable to operate a light-sport aircraft in a safe manner.) The difference is that you can self-certify for a Sport rating, but with a 3rd class medical you have to go see your local AME every few years.

I recently had a 2nd class medical exam, and as others have said it's little more than the AME reviewing the visits I made to a doctor in the past two years, checking my vision, and peeing in a cup. If you take any medication that's another item the doc has to review with you. (The FAA has a list of disqualifying meds you can search for yourself.) The FAA's obsession with sleep apnea is a challenge to work through, but I know several guys who have gotten their medicals in spite of that diagnosis.

If I were in your shoes I'd go see an AME for my own peace of mind. If you're concerned about being able to pass an FAA medical, you will want to know for certain that you don't have a medical condition that could effect you in flight. You may want to find a local AME and get some advice from an expert. He can counsel you on what to do with regard to applying for an FAA medical or not once he knows your details. It just might be the best $100 you ever spent!

[E. D. Eliot]

I know that it not a short drive for you but there is the SLING flight club at Torrance. They have two Slings for flight training and for rent. Also, I believe that a flight school is operating out of Santa Ana John Wayne which features Light Sport Aircraft. Hope that this helps you - I know the people at TOA and they are top notch people.

[N395V]

my instructor got almost angry with me for considering sport pilot certificate ? I am not sure why he was so emotional about it.

For this reason you should fire him and get a new instructor. You are paying the bills. It is his job to get you what you want. Not what he wants.
You can always upgrade to a PPL in the future.

Having said that I think at your age your health worries 5-6 years down the road are unwarranted. There are plenty of people in their 70s flying with 3rd class medicals.

Obtaining a private pilot certificate will offer you more options in the future if your flying needs or desires change. Also unless I am mistaken you can always fly as a sport pilot on a Private Pilot certificate.

[jjconstant]

As I understand it you are talking about future possibilities of not being able to pass, which is not the current situation. It sounds like a lot of thought has been put into what your goals are and what the future may hold. You've done a great job in preparing yourself as an informed consumer.

A critical part of intensive learning, which is what you're going to be engaged in no matter what flavor of rating you go for, is that not every instructor is right for every student. There are lots of reasons but it sounds like you have identified an undesirable combination with this instructor.

I love the idea of going for the sport pilot rating in an old school tail dragger...many would argue that you're actually getting trained to be a better pilot than those with a PPL in a nose-wheel equipped aircraft. I just don't know enough about the nuances of the rating requirements to be much help but it sounds like you are very qualified to self-educate on the requirements and then find someone who will be a good match.

Don't get discouraged. Just continue your research and I'm sure you will find a great instructor, willing to listen to what you want and supply it professionally. Part of the art of teaching anything is to help expand a student's awareness of the possibilities while not pushing beyond the point of frustration. It's also important to embrace the student's self imposed limits/guidelines/goals. This initial instructor immediately went too far.

Perhaps an avenue of exploration would be to find a place that specializes in tail draggers, talk to a bunch of their instructors and find one who, if he or she doesn't know the ins and outs of the rating, is interested in learning them for themselves as well as you. Some of the best instructors are the ones who love learning as much as teaching.

[skylor]

Originally Posted by Waterobert

I am sure that I can get my medical today, my concern is that by the time I build my plane, it won't be that easy. With my limited $ it will be 5-6 years, a lot can change by that time. Anyway, so far I went to 3 schools and none off them have plane light enough for sport licence. It must be a new thing, so PPL is my only option. I am just surprised that school with 20 airplanes doesn't have one for sport licence. LOL

Sunrise Aviation at John Wayne has several Evektor LSA's that they use for training.

Skylor

[jtrusso]

Originally Posted by E. D. Eliot

I know that it not a short drive for you but there is the SLING flight club at Torrance. They have two Slings for flight training and for rent. Also, I believe that a flight school is operating out of Santa Ana John Wayne which features Light Sport Aircraft. Hope that this helps you - I know the people at TOA and they are top notch people.

There are also 2 Sport Cruiser LSA's for rent in Santa Monica.

I have to say I agree with your instructor's opinion, if not his approach. Go for the PPL. Having the private certificate gives you many more options, especially here in SoCal where LSA rental options are slim. In actuality the cost difference between the Sport Pilot and PPL probably isn't that much, you'll need to master the skills required and for most people that takes more than the FAR minimum hours. If you're worried about passing the medical in the future a PPL can always operate as a Sport Pilot by letting his medical expire and flying an LSA within the Sport Pilot rules.

[N15JB]

[quote=

If I were in your shoes I'd go see an AME for my own peace of mind. If you're concerned about being able to pass an FAA medical, you will want to know for certain that you don't have a medical condition that could effect you in flight. You may want to find a local AME and get some advice from an expert. He can counsel you on what to do with regard to applying for an FAA medical or not once he knows your details. It just might be the best $100 you ever spent![/QUOTE]

Be careful with this one. If you schedule a 3rd class physical with an AME, thinking you can just walk out the door if he finds something disqualifying, that wont work. Once he starts his exam, he is obligated to submit his findings to the FAA, even if you don't complete the exam.

A possible work around is to schedule a physical with a primary care doc who happens to be an AME. Do not start the FAA paper work(now done online) or even mention flying until he completes his exam. Once he is finished, ask if he found anything that would be disqualifying for a 3rd class exam. If he did, go straight to sport pilot. Of course this strategy means you get to pay for 2 exams, but would be preferable to getting disqualified from all flying.

On the third hand, if you know you are in poor health, or have good reason to think your health will deteriorate in the next few years, go sport pilot from the start. And start taking care of yourself.

[Waterobert]

I am in good health and should be able to pass third class medical,however I don't think that I like my instructor after what he said or how he said it. He completely made it sound as if it was up to you and you have complet control over your health. Middle age man should expect that his health will not last forever and plan his life accordingly. Even young people get sick out of the blue.

[Waterobert]

Exactly my point Joe ! I just want to have fun! When I did my scuba certification I had to do night dive. It was fun with trained instructor next to me,however I never did it with my dive bodies! Why? Just to risky to be fun. Flying at night while it is raining can be done if you have PPL. Do I want to do it? No! I can wait for sunny day.