Sport Pilot Talk

Jim Stewart · Joined: 12 Oct 2006 Posts: 259

I have a pp license and have done almost all of my hours and my pp checkride in my CTSW. I also have all the flight time requirements for sport pilot CFI. It looks like the first thing is to study and pass the FOI and knowledge test. Can a CFI sign me off for that?

What about the oral and checkride? My experience with my pp DPI is that he knows nothing about light sport. He kept referring to it as "experimental" during my oral. I'm guessing that I should set up a meeting with Bryan Carpenter to talk about training. Any other ideas?

comperini · Joined: 24 Feb 2008 Posts: 152 Location: California

Jim Stewart wrote: Can a CFI sign me off for that?

Yes, your CFI can sign you off to take the FOI. Expect to spend ground time with the CFI, before he'll put his name to a piece of paper saying "You're ready for the test".

Gleim might even have an online test prep thingy, where they'll issue the endorsement to take the test, too.

Quote:
What about the oral and checkride? My experience with my pp DPI is that he knows nothing about light sport. He kept referring to it as "experimental" during my oral.

Sad, but I've seen that way too many times. Many of the "old school" examiners and CFIs still don't understand Sport.

Basically, yes, get the knowledge tests out of the way. Then, take whatever flight/ground training your instructor wants, so you know what to teach, and how to teach it. After all that, comes the practical exam.

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

We train sport pilot CFI's (CFIS) here in a LSA.
http://sportaviationcenter.com/

We have a complete training system for CFIS applicents and the the CFI to train sport pilots in LSA.
http://www.ap-stores.com/p-181-sport-pilot-cfi-applicant-kit-fixed-wing-aircraft.aspx
This kit has the both test prep, training syllabus, checkride prep and a complete "cookbook" for getting through the CFIS.

Additionally, what, how and basic questions are answered at:
http://sport-pilot-training.com/sport-pilot-cfis-applicant/
and
http://lsapilot.beasportpilot.com/airplane-lsa-pilot/sport-flight-instructors/sport-flight-instructor/

Hopefully this should answer most questions, call me personally about becoming a CFIS, or come here and we have everything to become a CFIS.

Aerco · Joined: 26 Aug 2009 Posts: 68 Location: Corona CA

I was all set to do the Sport Pilot CFI. There is a DPE in Hemet,CA, about half an hour's flight away. My plan was to fly down there for the required instruction and do the test with them. In a J3 by the way!

Finding anyone to sign you for this locally is almost impossible. My regular CFI did not have a clue about Sport Pilot - "why would anyone want a SP license? You can only go 50 miles" - that kind of misinformation.

I decided in the end to go for the full CFI, even though I really just want to teach basic stick&rudder flying. In the end it gives you more flexibility a better chance of actually making a couple of dimes now and then, than if you limited yourself to SP only.

But it's a long hard road; Instrument , Commercial, and CFI. Almost done with the instrument (hate it!). I'll probably hardly ever use again - no interest in flying when I can't enjoy the view! And the CFI checkride has an enormous failure rate; no DPE for those, only FAA-types. I have not heard one good thing about that checkride from anyone who took it, more the 50% or so fail first time, usually over ridiculously small, petty things.

I'd encourage anyone to go for the SP-CFI - if you like it, you can always go the whole way in the future.

Jim Stewart · Joined: 12 Oct 2006 Posts: 259

I certainly understand your reasoning. I started out with the goal of an SP license and ended up with a PP for about the same reasons. OTOH, CFI and me just isn't going to happen. Don't have the time or energy and possibly not the talent for all it takes.