Sport Pilot Talk

NismoRR · Joined: 26 Jan 2011 Posts: 71 Location: Murrieta, CA

Had a great lesson yesterday beginning pattern work. Afterwards, I asked my CFI about the Student Pilot Cert. The DPE was on site and he told me I have to register and start the application on the web at the IACRA/FAA website. I registered and was going through the application...I'm applying for a STUDENT PILOT certificate at this point. On page 2 it says the following:

1) Select the type of Certificate you are applying for STUDENT PILOT
2) Select Restricted or Standard STANDARD * Required Field
3) Select the certificate Basis CFR 61 * Required Field
4) Select the type of Issuance ORIGINAL ISSUANCE * Required Field

5) Are you applying for a Glider, Balloon, or Sport Rating? No Yes

My question is right here at #5. I just want to confirm that I would indicate yes here. I'm just not sure. Am I applying for a Sport rating HERE on the Student Pilot Certificate? Of course I will be applying for Sport Pilot Certificate when I'm ready, but do I declare it here as well.

I also looked throught the forum and didn't see any mention of IACRA. Did any of you register/apply for your student certificate in this way?

Thanks!

Todd

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

NismoRR wrote: My question is right here at #5. I just want to confirm that I would indicate yes here.

Yes, Todd, that's correct. There is a difference between a Student Pilot certificate and a Student Sport Pilot certificate. The latter does not require you to have an FAA medical certificate, just a valid drivers license.

Quote: Did any of you register/apply for your student certificate in this way?

All of my students use IACRA for their Student Pilot certificate applications. It's tedious, but it does work (most of the time). The certificate itself still needs to be issued by an FAA FSDO or DPE. The former does it for free (you need to make an appointment). The latter is allowed to charge for this service, and sets his or her own fee.

Be sure to take a hardcopy of your completed IACRA application with you, just in case, as well as the FTN (Federal Tracking Number) that IACRA issues (the DPE or FSDO person needs this to access your records). And don't lose that FTN. You'll need it again when you're ready for your checkride.

As you know, you need the Student Pilot certificate on your person when you fly solo. Good luck, and have fun.

3Dreaming · Joined: 10 Jan 2010 Posts: 301 Location: noble, IL USA

drseti wrote: NismoRR wrote: My question is right here at #5. I just want to confirm that I would indicate yes here.

Yes, Todd, that's correct. There is a difference between a Student Pilot certificate and a Student Sport Pilot certificate. The latter does not require you to have an FAA medical certificate, just a valid drivers license.

Quote: Did any of you register/apply for your student certificate in this way?

All of my students use IACRA for their Student Pilot certificate applications. It's tedious, but it does work (most of the time). The certificate itself still needs to be issued by an FAA FSDO or DPE. The former does it for free (you need to make an appointment). The latter is allowed to charge for this service, and sets his or her own fee.

Be sure to take a hardcopy of your completed IACRA application with you, just in case, as well as the FTN (Federal Tracking Number) that IACRA issues (the DPE or FSDO person needs this to access your records). And don't lose that FTN. You'll need it again when you're ready for your checkride.

As you know, you need the Student Pilot certificate on your person when you fly solo. Good luck, and have fun.

The FSDO for this area only has one person in the office that knows how to do IACRA. The others want it on paper.

zdc · Guest

IACRA is a program the FAA implemented before the field offices were ready or willing to use. I recently used IACRA for a flight instructor renewel, but when I went to the FSDO the specialist said he didn't know how to use IACRA and instructed me to fill out the paper form.

drseti

NismoRR wrote: 5) Are you applying for a Glider, Balloon, or Sport Rating? No Yes

Todd, just to clarify, the reason for that question is that those three ratings do not require a medical. I don't recall for sure, but if you answer Yes, IACRA may then ask you for your drivers license info.

drseti · Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 1:18 pm Post subject:

zdc wrote: when I went to the FSDO the specialist said he didn't know how to use IACRA and instructed me to fill out the paper form.

That's all too common. The best strategy is probably to have a filled-out paper form with you, just in case. (Or, since you're an instructor, you could tell the FSDO guy or gal, "Here, I'll teach you how to use IACRA".)

zdc · Guest

drseti wrote: zdc wrote: when I went to the FSDO the specialist said he didn't know how to use IACRA and instructed me to fill out the paper form.

That's all too common. The best strategy is probably to have a filled-out paper form with you, just in case. (Or, since you're an instructor, you could tell the FSDO guy or gal, "Here, I'll teach you how to use IACRA".)

Sorry, I don't pay taxes so I can train a govt employee on how to use a system they are telling me to use. I recieved no training on IACRA and figured it out in a relatively small amount of time. I'm sure the FSDO employees could sacrafice some of their internet surfing time and do the same.

NismoRR · Guest Joined: 26 Jan 2011 Posts: 71 Location: Murrieta, CA

Thanks guys for the quick answer. and explanation! I really appreciate it. The application is all filled out, it's actually small as you know, and submitted. I didn't need to add my drivers license #. I'll give the flight school (where the DPE is also located :) ) all the info related to this filing tomorrow after a lesson. So, the DPE is the one who issues my Student Certificate, is that right? I met him yesterday and he's a real nice guy.

As far as yesterday's lesson, I can't stop thinking about it! Did a few go-arounds to start, nine landings total, seven of which were glides from halfway through downwind. Did a few slips as well, two to a landing. The 162 definitely makes me feel good in the plane. I can't believe how this plane just wants to fly, even with no throttle. 70 kts was the glide speed, no flaps. I'm getting much more comfortable at the flare, and ensuing glide. I'm learning patience right at this point, just keeping the plane level and waiting for the speed to bleed off until I need back elevator. I had three perfect landings. Perfect!! :D , When I touched down my CFI was shouting Woohoo!!! What a feeling!!!! TOTALLY AWESOME! The others were good, maybe one or two was just ok.

Enough for now. Excited to get up tomorrow. Off to study for the knowledge test, next Thursday.

Thanks again for the IACRA info.

drseti · Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 5:03 pm Post subject:

zdc wrote: I recieved no training on IACRA and figured it out in a relatively small amount of time.

Ah, but you're a CFI, thus obviously of above-average intelligence. Do you think the same can be said of government employees? :wink:

drseti · Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 5:10 pm Post subject:

NismoRR wrote: So, the DPE is the one who issues my Student Certificate, is that right?

Correct.

Quote: I met him yesterday and he's a real nice guy.

Most of them are. They are all CFIs who love to teach, and you'll probably learn something every time you fly with one.

Quote: Did a few go-arounds to start,

Good for you! Remember, every approach to landing is actually an approach to a go-around. If things don't look exactly right to you on final, a go-around is always the best choice.

Quote: I can't believe how this plane just wants to fly, even with no throttle. 70 kts was the glide speed, no flaps.

Unless your CFI says otherwise, you might also want to see how well it glides at 60 kts with one notch of flaps. I think you'll find this a very useful technique for smooth landings (but your CFI is the final authority).

Quote: What a feeling!!!! TOTALLY AWESOME!

Sounds like you're in the groove. Congratulations, and keep up the good work.

NismoRR · Guest Joined: 26 Jan 2011 Posts: 71 Location: Murrieta, CA

drseti wrote:
Good for you! Remember, every approach to landing is actually an approach to a go-around. If things don't look exactly right to you on final, a go-around is always the best choice.

That's an interesting way to look at it. On two of my approaches the other day, I was a bit high on approach. I said to my CFI I was a little high and he suggested I try a slip. I did, and I have to say, the first time I did it on final, full right aileron/FULL left rudder, it felt good, though the plane was in a diagonal position on final, somewhat, if you know what I'm trying to say. Magically, :P when I was coming out of the slip before the runway, I was in a great position to land, right on the centerline. That was very cool! The second time, I decided to do a go-around, first because I was a little high, and second for practice. I could have gotten the plane down safely, but as we discussed before the flight, if the approach isn't right, there's no need to ever force a landing. That said, it was nice to land the first time using a slip.

Quote: Unless your CFI says otherwise, you might also want to see how well it glides at 60 kts with one notch of flaps. I think you'll find this a very useful technique for smooth landings (but your CFI is the final authority).

The lesson previous to this last one, we were landing with full flaps. Speed was 56-58 kts, and I was cutting the throttle to idle anywhere from the turn to base or final. And like I said with a glide, this plane just wants to fly. It seems all the approaches were pretty stable. I've been trimming the plane for approach, and have even taken my hand off the stick for a second on final, and the plane just continues it's decent to the aiming point, to the top of the numbers. I did this because on the first landing of this day, my CFI had said how the plane will want to decend on a stable approach if the configuration is correct. He was right. :D

What I'm learning here is that the better the approach, the better landing should be. I have another lesson today. It'll be more pattern work so I'll see what he has in store for today. I have to tell you Paul, it's great talking to about all these things. Hope you don't mind.

And lastly, I just figured out how to do quotes here!!! LOL

NismoRR · Guest Joined: 26 Jan 2011 Posts: 71 Location: Murrieta, CA

Just wanted to thank you guys for the info. I now have my Student Certificate.

So let me ask, I have eight hours and have been doing pattern work the last two lessons with 22 landings, and I have not been making the radio calls yet. I assume that once I start on the radio, that the first solo can't be too far away. :shock: The Gleim Syllabus suggests that the first solo is around flight lesson 10. I know this is a general guideline. So the question, when do people generally start to solo?

Thanks!

bryancobb · Posted: Tue Mar 01, 2011 10:36 am Post subject: Nissmo

You didn't say how much you and your instructor had been practicing emergencies that could happen in the pattern...

Being OK (not GREAT but OK/Adequate) with the following to be ready to solo:

* You should feel comfortable with power-off gliding maneuvers (as in simulated engine failures).
* You should feel comfortable on the radio making position calls or following ATC instructions if at a towered field.
* You should be comfortable at making a quick decision to go around if needed without retracting flaps in a way that could be dangerous.
* You should be comfortable with landing with changing wind conditions up to 5 or 10 knots, including crosswinds.
* You should be relatively consistent with your landings.

3Dreaming · Posted: Tue Mar 01, 2011 10:44 am Post subject:

NismoRR wrote: Just wanted to thank you guys for the info. I now have my Student Certificate.

So let me ask, I have eight hours and have been doing pattern work the last two lessons with 22 landings, and I have not been making the radio calls yet. I assume that once I start on the radio, that the first solo can't be too far away. :shock: The Gleim Syllabus suggests that the first solo is around flight lesson 10. I know this is a general guideline. So the question, when do people generally start to solo?

Thanks!

IMO your instructor should have started with you doing radio calls from the begining. He already knows how to make the calls, your the one who needs to learn to make them.

drseti · Posted: Tue Mar 01, 2011 11:15 am Post subject:

NismoRR wrote: The Gleim Syllabus suggests that the first solo is around flight lesson 10. I know this is a general guideline. So the question, when do people generally start to solo?

My students have been averaging 12 to 13 hours to first solo in the SportStar. (Many of them are actually ready earlier, in my opinion, based on skills -- but don't feel confident yet. I let them kick me out of the plane when they feel ready.)