Sport Pilot Talk

kaputt · Joined: 26 Apr 2009 Posts: 1 Location: Virginia

Hey all,

So I've got a quick question. I originally started PPL flight training back when I was a senior in high school, and got all the way to solo and a little bit beyond and ended up with about 21 hours. Due to finance situations in my family though I had to suspend my training.

I'm now a Freshman in college and I'm really looking at getting back into flying, and I'm strongly considering sport pilot training, mostly because it seems much more affordable for a college student. However I haven't flown since May 4th, 2008, and I'm just wondering how long other sport pilots think it would take for me to be able to earn my hours (I'm guessing my previous experience would help) and what kind of costs I would look at?

The aircraft rents for $99 and the instructor is $40.

Thanks in advance
David

scottj

The regulations say you need 15 hours of dual and 5 hours of solo flight to be minimally qualified to take your practical exam. How do you feel? Do you think you could safely handle the airplane in various weather conditions at this time? What if you had your little brother with you, do you feel qualified to give him a safe ride?

If you are reasonably intelligent and physically coordinated, you should be able to get it done in 10~20 additional hours of flight training (since you already have 20+ hours). I suggest trying to fly at least 4 days per week to get rapid currency regained.

How are your book skills? Have you taken the Knowledge Test yet? Are you ready to pass the oral exam? Do you have current charts in your kit?
:-)

Go for it, and good luck!
Scott Johnson
Chief Pilot
LSA North, Stick-n-Rudder Flight Training

PS What kind of airplane does your school use?

tadel001 · Joined: 12 Mar 2007 Posts: 251

David,

The length of training is really dependent on your ability to get through the ground school portion and regularly fly. The fact that you have some fundamental knowledge background will make it easier for you. However, it depends on how well you retained that information and whether the training you received was adequate (likely was).

We had a recent college grad (with no prior flight experience) finish in less than 4 months and was ready for his checkride in under 20 hours. I think after playing around with soloing a bit, he took his ride at 23 hours. We have students ready before 20 hours and we have students take over a year. The "over a year" group are generally retired individuals in no hurry to get a license and really enjoy flying with someone else (an instructor).

You will save money if you make it a priority. Try to fly at least twice a week. Do the ground school. I am not talking about the written exam as much as I am about the book learning necessary for the checkride. These planes (not sure which one you will be learning on) are fairly easy to fly.

Good luck

jlong16 · Joined: 04 Jul 2006 Posts: 103

David,
As a CFI Sport, I get folks with training like yours fairly often and can tell you to plan on minimum 15 - 20 hours split between dual and solo work. You are no doubt, going to "remember" almost everything you learned but need time to get comfortable and proficient before even thinking about the practical.
Have fun and let us know how it goes.