You can rent those at Skyrider Ultralights in Camarillo, CA.
Posted on 12/03/2007 2:45:46 PM PST by anymouse
You're one of those people who likes airplanes and airports. You look up when an airplane goes by. Perhaps you've been to a small airport and watched the Cessnas and Pipers come and go, daring to wish that it could be you.
Well, it can be you, and even better, the U.S. government is here to help you.
"I'm from the FAA and I'm here to help"
In late 2004, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) introduced a simplified license called the sport pilot certificate, offering basic flying privileges in a new class of simplified aircraft called light sport aircraft, or LSAs.
There are five additional types of light sport aircraft such as powered parachutes, but the term is most often used for two-seat, fixed-wing aircraft powered by 80-to-100-horsepower engines. The Rotax 912 engine is very popular with LSA manufacturers.
LSAs and the sport pilot license reduce training, flying and ownership costs, making aviation more affordable in money and time for those short on both. Your sport pilot license will cost about $2,800-$3,500, about half the cost of earning a private pilot certificate.
The LSA movement is gaining traction. Some 1,000 LSAs are FAA-registered, with 5,600 registrations expected by 2010. Significantly, respected manufacturers of general-aviation aircraft such as Cessna and Cirrus plan to offer LSAs, indicating that light sport aircraft truly have come of age.
Cessna reportedly has 900 orders in hand for its newly launched SkyCatcher, with deliveries beginning in 2009. Cessna recently signed a deal to have all SkyCatcher production carried out in China by Shenyang Aircraft, to keep manufacturing costs down -- and the price of the aircraft competitive.
What is a light sport aircraft?
Light sport aircraft are exactly that -- light. Fully loaded, they must weigh 1,320 pounds or less. LSAs are limited to one engine, two occupants and cannot be flown faster than 138 mph (120 knots) or higher than 10,000 feet above sea level. Amazingly, this performance is comparable with a 160-horsepower, four-seat Cessna 172 Skyhawk!
LSAs are limited to daytime use in good weather (three miles' visibility and visual contact with the ground), and can't have fancy items such as retractable landing gear or constant-speed propellers.
In the interest of safety, LSAs must keep flying even at the low speed of 51 mph (45 knots) or less, without the benefit of lift-adding devices such as flaps or slats (although some LSAs have flaps). Many LSAs have stall speeds around 30 knots, half again better than the FAA expects.
You can buy a manufactured, fully FAA-certified LSA for around $110,000. Co-ownership can bring the cost way down, or you can rent if you prefer. You can also build one from a kit or from scratch if you like, subject to periodic FAA inspections during construction, for about $65,000.
Once you have your sport pilot license you can save money by doing preventive maintenance yourself. LSAs cannot be used for compensation or hire, but sharing of flight expenses is allowed.
Travel as far and wide as you like -- you can add a GPS unit to help you along the way and even buy an "all-glass" airline-style electronic cockpit. While there is no limitation on horsepower, ratings in the 100-horsepower range allow LSA engines to sip fuel at a very modest five gallons per hour or so.
Nearly 50 LSA manufacturers offering FAA-certificated aircraft are listed at www.sportpilot.org, a comprehensive and authoritative nonprofit Web site addressing all things LSA.
Another solid source of information is the nonprofit Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. Search on "light sport aircraft" to bring up some 1,300 articles covering all facets of LSAs.
Your sport pilot license
Beyond aircraft, there is the matter of a license. The sport pilot certificate respects the all-important need for safety while reflecting the fact that sport pilot airplanes and privileges are comparatively simple.
In brief, here are the requirements:
- You must have a valid U.S. driver's license, which doubles as your medical certificate. You must be able to affirm that you are in good general health and not using substances or medications that impede your judgment, cognition and motor skills.
- You must be at least 17 years old to be licensed, but you may have a student pilot certificate at age 16. You must be able to read, write, speak and understand English. You need not be a U.S. citizen, but your FAA certificate will be valid only in the United States. It may be transferable to another country, especially one in Europe, since so many LSAs are being made there and imported to the U.S. For example, Cirrus' SR Sport LSA will be built in Germany.
- You will need at least 15 hours in the air with an instructor, plus at least another five hours of solo -- flying by yourself!
- You must pass both a written and an oral/practical test.
Get started!
First, you need an instructor. Find one in your area at the sportpilot.org site, which also provides advice on how to choose the best instructor for your particular requirements.
Second, you need a student pilot license, which can be issued by a Designated Pilot Examiner for about $50. You can get one for free at any FAA Flight Standards District Office.
Finally, you need to make the decision. Learning to fly is a golden opportunity to grow as a person. As a pilot, you will savor experiences unique to those who truly exist in three dimensions.
Tort reform and a Republican Administration's influence on the FAA has revived the nearly morbid sport/hobby of private aviation.
Chump change.
Ya know? This is kind of exciting - one kind of “sport” I’ve never even though of.
I never considered flying a “hobby”, but I suppose if it’s reasonable enough with price and regulation, it’d become more popular.
I think Cessna’s SkyCatcher is being manufactured in China. No thanks
That’s fascinating stuff!
What is interesting about the PAL-V is that it is based off the existing "Carver" design. Kind of a neat little motorcycle/car cross-over. It'd be nice for commuter type activities.
The idea of flying one of those in and around a few thousand other folks is rather unnerving.
And stupid juries. I still can’t believe a jury (1980s) held a manufacturer liable for an accident when the idiot mounted a video camera in the pilot’s seat, and unsuccessfully piloted the plane from a passenger seat in behind the pilot’s seat.
Do you have to have a license to operate a gyrocopter or an ultralite?
Giving new meaning to the term “Airhead”
Hey! How did you know I’m blonde?
Thanks for posting that link, that looks like the most fun a person could ever have, ever...
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Why the smart money is on Duncan Hunter
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1926032/posts
Posted on 11/15/2007 3:43:17 AM PST by Kevmo
aviation ping
I wouldn't worry about crowds up there just yet.
If you go the ElSA (home built LSA) it can be pretty reasonable. Vans Aircraft does a hell of a product, at a good price..
What they don’t tell you is that you can also buy an older but very well maintained “real” airplane (ie, J-3 Piper Cub, Aeronca Chief or 7AC,Taylorcraft ,and other similar) that qualifies under these rules and several can be had in the $10k- $30k range. They also are cheap to fly. 3-4 gallons per hour for a 65hp Continental engine.
At one time they were poised to let a lot of people get into the air at a minimal cost, but like another poster pointed out, the liability considerations did them in. And, they could be dangerous. Since they were maintained by the owner and not a licensed, certified mechanic you could do all sorts of strange things to them and get yourself in big trouble really fast.
A lot of fun to fly though, probably as near what flight was in its first years as you can get these days. The instrumentation consisted of a tach, an altimeter and a crude airspeed device. Some had exhaust temp gauges, but most were very rudimentary.
Once or twice a month I think I would like to have one again, just to punch holes in the sky on a pretty fall day here in Florida.
You can rent those at Skyrider Ultralights in Camarillo, CA.
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