Sport Pilot Talk

gmohr · Joined: 14 Jul 2006 Posts: 63 Location: Augusta, GA

I just took my written(twice even because of a LaserGrade screw up) and
scored a 97 and a 93. This was done using the Gleim material
supplemented with FAR/AIM and Gleim online ground school(which I
found worthless, thankfully it was a gift and not my money). I studied
and took practice exams and they helped. But as of 1 July the FAA has
changed how some of the questions are worded and they about 50% of
the questions on my SPA exam were not direct from the FAA exam prep
text. The good news is if you are prepared you will be able to use reason
to select the correct answer. I would have loved to had a nice online or
video ground school to have used or actual class room.. but I live 2.5hrs
from my flight school so mainly did this on my own and with being able to
ask my CFII questions that I had via e-mail. IMHO it would be well worth
$200-$250 for a video based course.

I am now just 5hrs from my check ride. I have the ASA prep for Oral
and Check Ride and find the book useful but the DVD again in my opinion
is worthless. Paul, I am sorry to say that.. but I showed it to two friends
who just took their check rides and they said the same. If they had seen
it before they would have been scared of the check ride more than
prepared. Again, our opinions.

Gene

Paul Hamilton · Joined: 21 May 2007 Posts: 351 Location: Reno/Tahoe Nevada

gmohr wrote:

I am now just 5hrs from my check ride. I have the ASA prep for Oral
and Check Ride and find the book useful but the DVD again in my opinion
is worthless. Paul, I am sorry to say that.. but I showed it to two friends
who just took their check rides and they said the same. If they had seen
it before they would have been scared of the check ride more than
prepared. Again, our opinions.

Gene

Opinions about the “Sport Pilot Checkride DVD” are all over the map. The biggest misunderstanding about the video is that it "shows you what to expect and how to pass with tips and insights from a sport pilot examiner". It was NEVER, is NEVER, and will NEVER be intended to provide the aeronautical knowledge for the oral, nor the specifics for the flight maneuvers. If you thought this was what you were going to get, you should have read the information about it. It is on the web site and on the video itself. Specifically it is:

This program shows you what to expect for, and how to pass your Sport Pilot checkride — with tips and insights from a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE). The Sport Pilot Checkride DVD compresses a typical four-hour practical test into an engaging 78-minute presentation. Watch and learn as five well-prepared Sport Pilot applicants fly powered parachute, weight-shift control, and airplane light-sport aircraft (LSA) through their practical exams. As the DPE, Paul Hamilton comments on each applicants’ strengths and weaknesses, and offers recommendations you can use during your own checkride. Comes with a booklet of checklists and informational tables.

Again, it never said it was the aeronautical knowledge or everything you needed to study for your check ride. If you though it was, it is not, SORRY.

If you get these three important messages from the DVD it has done it’s job.
Be prepared for the checkride.
Simple mistakes that will fail you that are easily corrected to pass.
What a checkride is actually like.

For the people who understand what the video/DVD is, the most common comment about the video is “I made sure I was not like the unprepared guy who failed.” This comedy act was scripted and exaggerated, and it is to illustrate the most important point of getting ready for a checkride that cannot be written in a book. No applicants were failed in the filming of this video.

Some other comments about the Checkride DVD are “It showed me what a checkride is really like which was a big help for me”, “I made sure I did not make the same mistakes shown in the video, this showed me what to watch out for”.

The video is an inside look at some important items the FAA tells the Designated Pilot Examiners to expect and do. Nowhere else can you find something produced my an FAA DPE to help you understand the checkride, from someone who “does it”.

Glad you like my “Sport Pilot Checkride” book. It is the Aeronautical Knowledge, questions/answers for the oral portion of the checkride, and specifics of the flight portion of the checkride. It has become the bible and standard that applicents and many DPE's use and suggest/recommend. I must be doing something right for you if this "Sport Pilot Checkride" book I wrote is something that is not “worthless” to you as all other materials appear to be.

Paul Hamilton · Joined: 21 May 2007 Posts: 351 Location: Reno/Tahoe Nevada

gmohr wrote: If they had seen
it before they would have been scared of the check ride more than
prepared. Again, our opinions.

Gene

What is there to be scared about?

gmohr · Joined: 14 Jul 2006 Posts: 63 Location: Augusta, GA

Paul,

Sorry if I offended you. But since this is about the Gleim material I will
just say your Oral and Check Ride Prep book is well written and I only wish
I had gotten more from the dvd. If you would like please feel free to
contact me via PM.

Again, for the record I did get lots from the Gleim written material along
with other sources of knowledge. But as far as the Gleim online ground
school, had I purchased it myself I would have been disappointed. In all I
still passed my written with a high score and with the material and training I
have now I feel I will be succesfull in completing my oral and check ride.

Gene

ibgarrett · Joined: 04 Dec 2008 Posts: 147 Location: Westminster, CO

What's there to be scared about? Like my CFI said right before I went and took my checkride - "don't worry, the fate of the entire free world rests on you passing" While obviously tongue and check that did help put things a bit into perspective. Nevertheless - I think having worked extra-long on everything (for me - I set the high bar at 100+hrs and 14 months to get to that point), I was anxious and worried that I could do what I needed to do. In the end, I passed.

Of course the real work began at that point... :D

Paul Hamilton · Joined: 21 May 2007 Posts: 351 Location: Reno/Tahoe Nevada

Everyone has an opinion of what the best sport pilot training system is. Everyone drives different cars and flies different airplanes. I have noticed that in MOST cases, whatever training system someone is first introduced to, is what they use and think is the best. Few people look at all the light-sport aircraft systems designed for sport and private pilots systems objectively and choose from there.

When the sport pilot initiative was first announced, 2 years before the rule came out, I could not find any LSA training system I liked. So I looked at all the other systems, of which they were all private pilot systems, and made my own I think is the best. Why is it the best? Because it is designed specifically as a sport and private system designed for Light-Sport Aircraft. It is continually evolving based on actual usage and feedback from the top schools in the country. I personally talk with instructors daily plus train myself. I have made numerous updates from input received here. What you say matters.

The system was originally criticized for being the most expensive (because it has DVD’s you watch, books, and CD’s for knowledge tests). It is simply more material in different formats for different people. We have been able to reduce the costs of the complete “Learn to Fly” student kit and the Test Prep kit. The FAA knowledge test prep is now less expensive than most similar products. $29.95 for a CD we send to you that additionally provides the endorsement for the knowledge test.

Our “Sport Pilot Checkride” book is the only book that covers all the knowledge typical questions an examiner would ask for the oral portion of the checkride plus the flight maneuvers tips and tricks. As a sport pilot examiner, I incorporated what you need to successfully “fly through” your checkride.

Check out the store at www.ap-stores.com and compare the products. The important part of comparing my system against the others is that is is a complete "Learn to fly" plus pass the FAA knowledge tests, not just test prep.

If you have any questions, call me directly on my mobile phone 775 772 8232.

Sincerely,
Paul Hamilton

gmohr · Joined: 14 Jul 2006 Posts: 63 Location: Augusta, GA

Paul, I went back and watched your video numerous times as well as using your excellent check ride guide. Today, I passed my check ride and received my Temporary Airmens Certificate. I want to thank you for all you do for The Sport Pilot Community. If there was one thing I did learn was to expect anything and clearing turns...

Gene Mohr
New Sport Pilot

drseti · Joined: 28 Nov 2009 Posts: 1387 Location: Lock Haven PA

Congratulations, Gene, and welcome to the fraternity. Now, the real learning can begin!

I'm glad to hear you found Paul Hamilton's material helpful. He has contributed more than you can imagine to the Sport Pilot movement.

gmohr · Joined: 14 Jul 2006 Posts: 63 Location: Augusta, GA

Paul,

Thank you. While I may not always agree with Mr. Hamilton, I am big
enough to admit when I am wrong. I was wrong for not thinking broad
enough. I would definitely recommend Paul's book and DVD to any and all
who are getting ready for their check ride.

I flew 3hrs today. From KGNV to KAGS. We have to vector around the
MOA's as they were hot. Flew right past a group of 3 C-130s near
Brunswick, GA. Looked cool. But to say the least I have now flow over
15hrs in 6 days. I am tired.