"Gary G" wrote in
:
I started my PP training about 1 1/2 years ago, but due to some
unfortunate medical problems in my family, have had to postpone it
until this summer.
Now that the Sport Pilot license is available, I inquired with my
school. The manager basically said "it's useless" and couldn't really
see why anyone would want it. Later in his conversation he says,
"...unless someone just wants to fly around their airport - you can't
really go anywhere..." - which is only partially true if one gets an
endorsement on ADIZ, Class B, and Cross Country. However, I see a
great opportunity in this program, and would like it as a stepping
stone to my Private.
I will note that they don't have any planes that qualify - I don't
know how close a 152 is, but I think it's a bit over the limit.
I've seen a lot of excitement generated about this license, but I am a
little frustrated by the fact that they would be so opposed to it.
I can see them not going out of their way to get a plane that
qualifies - no big deal. That's a business decision.
But a harsh opposition based on "his view" concerns me.
Maybe if he had justification on safety or other substantive issues,
ok. But such an obtuse statement makes no effort to understand the
student.
Does anyone know of places in Maryland that will offer the Sport
License? Frederick?
Laurel?
Tipton?
Bay Bridge?
Thank you!
Gary
He doesn't have a CLUE as to what sport pilot is! Either that, or he
simply knows he can't accomidate you with his current fleet, and therefore
must sh*t on the whole concept if he wants you as a student. He will come
around eventually though.
It may be awhile, the infrastructure for Sport Pilot is coming into place,
and will be well represented by the end of 2005. Right now, there are only
8 sport pilot examiners (only 2 of which are SEL), but there will be at
least 100 by the end of the year.
Sport pilot is for all of us who want to just fly. Yeah you can get signed
off to fly to C and B airspace etc., but you don't need to do that right
away. At the base level sport pilot is PPL minus night flight, minus VOR's
, minus towered radio work (or any radio work at all depending on equipment
in the trainer); minus hood work. That's where the 20 hrs base training
comes in. I intend to get my basic Sport Pilot lic., then take training in
flight into C and B airspace etc. later. The endorsement is added to your
logbook by the CFI only at that point. This will also make the checkride
much more straightforward, as the examiner basically just has to test you
on flying the plane! again, no hood work, no VOR's, no towered radio work,
etc.
Later, if you decide you want to get your PPL, you just go back and get
some training in the above areas (bringing total training hours up to min
40 as well), get your medical, get your checkride and go!
We will see more flight schools offering Sport Pilot as more potential
students look around for leaseback options and decide that a $70,000 brand
new Zodiac 601XL SLSA, is a better idea for leaseback than a 40 year old
152 or 172 which is very likely to cost $5K - $25K plus for every annual in
addition to higher fuel consumption etc.
Here is a link to a Maryland CC that is offering sport pilot ground school,
I bet they know exactly where you can take flight training or they would be
unlikely to offer the ground school.
http://www.carrollcc.edu/assets/publ...e/pdf/2005/Non
creditwinter2005extracts/occupationalpreparation&development_winter05.pdf
the above might take some cutting and pasting, as an alternative try:
http://makeashorterlink.com/?Z2491247A
Post back here and tell us what they say!
-ET