Sport Pilot Talk

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

This forum is just too quiet...

Had my second solo yesterday. Took off with my CFI, did five landings and he got out of the plane. Did five landings solo for 0.5 hrs. It was awesome. Landings were pretty good. Can't believe how fast the SkyCatcher climbed w/o a passenger. One thing I was aware of is my vision, and how much more focused I am at scanning the sky for traffic, etc. Traffic was fairly heavy with a new plane entering the 45/downwind almost every pattern. Was a good learning experience.

The biggest realization at this point is that I'm going to be a pilot. At ~21 hours, the landings are really getting more consistent, and everything seems to be coming together. I am cleared to take the plane to solo now which is the best part and is a great accomplishment. My CFI goes out of town 7/6 and he (and I!!) would like to see me get the checkride done before that. A wonderful feeling when your CFI shows real confidence in your ability/progress. 6.5 hours to go, then three hours of review before the checkride. Very excited...

piclsa08 · Joined: 31 May 2011 Posts: 8

Yes I agree, not much seems to go on here. Very quiet.

That is great that you are coming along so well. I was a slow learner when it came to landing. I didn't get my license until about 52 hours, but after the fact I found out that I was the very first person to do a checkride under my CFI. So maybe he was a bit overzealous. But I passed first time out. I've had my license now since 2008. I only wished I could find some rental aircraft closer to where I live. I rent the one my CFI has but its been down now for 5 weeks with issues and annual. But hey again i go back to you. That is the greatest thing in the world. You should be very proud. Flying is something that not many people do or can do. I don't know you but I'm very proud for you. Soon another will join the ranks.

Congrats!

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

Thank you so much for the kind words!

I've done two 'full' solos since, where I've taken the plane by myself with no CFI. Preflighting and the ensuing taxi/runup/takeoff by myself was the best milestone yet. First was pattern work and was terrific. Second was maneuvers, and some landings. The maneuvers were great, the landings weren't as good as I'd have liked, but always looking to get better. Nothing terrible, just no greasers, and I felt slightly off. Tomorrow is the first xC.

As far as this forum, it's a fantastic place for information. I like hearing peoples stories and experiences, and not many post about them. I'd love to hear more about actual flights, be it training or other. Where people are going, etc.

I'm very lucky about the plane. At the end of December, the only SkyCatcher in California landed at a flight school 20 minutes from my house. I would love to see many more LSA's all over the country. In a recent trip to Florida where there are many airports, LSA's are still not readily available. Where do you live and what are you fyling? When training is over, I'd love to partner up with 2-3 guys on a plane. Move out here and we'll get a plane!! :P

zaitcev · Joined: 05 Jan 2010 Posts: 258 Location: Albuquerque, NM

It's no surprise that LSAs take their time to penetrate. I am shopping for a Cessna 150 right now, and reasonable examples can be had for as low as $15,000. In other words I can buy either EIGHT 150s for the price of one 162, or I can buy a 150 and a lifetime suppliy of aviation gasoline differential between the two. Of course 162 exceeds 150 in every performance category, and its high-and-hot performance is much better due to the same 100 hp hauling 1320 lbs instead of 1600 lbs. But the price quickly puts it back into perspective.

piclsa08 · Joined: 31 May 2011 Posts: 8

NismoRR wrote: Thank you so much for the kind words!

I've done two 'full' solos since, where I've taken the plane by myself with no CFI. Preflighting and the ensuing taxi/runup/takeoff by myself was the best milestone yet. First was pattern work and was terrific. Second was maneuvers, and some landings. The maneuvers were great, the landings weren't as good as I'd have liked, but always looking to get better. Nothing terrible, just no greasers, and I felt slightly off. Tomorrow is the first xC.

As far as this forum, it's a fantastic place for information. I like hearing peoples stories and experiences, and not many post about them. I'd love to hear more about actual flights, be it training or other. Where people are going, etc.

I'm very lucky about the plane. At the end of December, the only SkyCatcher in California landed at a flight school 20 minutes from my house. I would love to see many more LSA's all over the country. In a recent trip to Florida where there are many airports, LSA's are still not readily available. Where do you live and what are you fyling? When training is over, I'd love to partner up with 2-3 guys on a plane. Move out here and we'll get a plane!! :P

Well I am outside of Dallas TX. I live in Alameda CA for a bit but I'm going to stay out here for a while. LSA are hard to come by for sure. There are more available here now than there used to be. I trained in and rent a 1946 Ercoupe 415-C. You can find those for between $15K and $35K depending on shape and equipment. I really hate that they stuck the Gross at 1320, I know why they did it. To spark growth in the market but for those of us who can't drop $130K on a plane, it would have been nice to pick up a used 150 or something. I do think that at some point they will consider raising the Gross but it won't be any time soon. They want to see more growth and hey, they may never do it. I personally have started studying for Private but its not something that I HAVE to do so who knows when I'll finish that.

SSDriver · Joined: 15 Apr 2011 Posts: 31 Location: NJ

Nismo,
Congrats on your progress!! Thanks for sharing your experience as well. I'm early on with only 9hrs so far. I'm curious if you dont mind, it's well established the climb out is going to be greatly increased but how was it on approach/final to land w/o your CFI? #1 were you nervous? #2 How much difference was there with your landing configuration without the added weight?

Best of luck to you!

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

zaitcev wrote: It's no surprise that LSAs take their time to penetrate. I am shopping for a Cessna 150 right now, and reasonable examples can be had for as low as $15,000. In other words I can buy either EIGHT 150s for the price of one 162, or I can buy a 150 and a lifetime suppliy of aviation gasoline differential between the two. Of course 162 exceeds 150 in every performance category, and its high-and-hot performance is much better due to the same 100 hp hauling 1320 lbs instead of 1600 lbs. But the price quickly puts it back into perspective.

I've been thinking a little about a 150 for all the reasons you mention. The only thing, and it's a big one, as you mention, performance (and comfort!) wise, the 162 is just in a different class. And the one I fly now has a whopping 250 hours on her. There's something to be said for flying a new airplane. :D

For the time being, I'm going to concentrate on the SP ticket, pick up the airspace endorsement, and fly! In a few months, the PPL, if I decide to go that route, will be only a few hours away (night and instrument) and then I could consider 150's if I think it would be a fit, OR find two other LSA pilots to partner up on something.

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

SSDriver wrote: Nismo,
Congrats on your progress!! Thanks for sharing your experience as well. I'm early on with only 9hrs so far. I'm curious if you dont mind, it's well established the climb out is going to be greatly increased but how was it on approach/final to land w/o your CFI? #1 were you nervous? #2 How much difference was there with your landing configuration without the added weight?

Best of luck to you!

Hey SSD, thanks for the encouragement.

1. I think everyone gets nervous to some degree. Some get VERY nervous. I don't think it was too bad. When my CFI got out of the plane, a few butterflies krept into my stomach, but I kept thinking that I've done 80+ landings up to that point, so just one more good approach and landing and I'm home free.

2. There's a difference, and since my first solo I've done about two hours of solo landing practice so I'm getting more comfortable with it. I would not put much concern there, but that's just my opinion.

Good luck to you. At 9 hrs, you have a lot of milestones quickly coming up.