Sport Pilot Talk

psjoe · Joined: 31 Aug 2010 Posts: 12 Location: Bucks County PA

Is the only thing holding the eclipse from LAS cat. the weight?

looking for negatives to doing some SP training in it? I guess solo?

Thanks

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

Yeah, looks like it's too fast, and too heavy. Yes, you could do SP training in it, including solo (as long as you had a medical). Negatives are that you would not be able to use that plane for your Sport Pilot practical exam.

drseti · Joined: 28 Nov 2009 Posts: 1390 Location: Lock Haven PA

Along with higher weight comes higher wing loading. Yes, of course you can train in the Diamond, or any certified aircraft, and even solo it if you have a medical. All the hours can count toward SP. But the heavier wing loading means it's going to behave differently, and feel different from flying an LSA. You can still train in it, all the way up to the review hours required in preparation to the checkride. But the transition to LSA may then be more difficult than you anticipate, since you will have to unlearn some techniques that work in the Diamond but not in an LSA. It will help a lot if your instructor has LSA experience, and knows that Sport Pilot is your ultimate goal.

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

Yes, you can even do the 2 hours of review in preparation for the test in an non-LSA. You only need the LSA for the actual practical exam. (Obviously it would be stupid to try taking an exam in a plane you haven't prepped in)

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

I think you would need to do some training in the LSA because the student would need to be signed off for solo to do the check ride, and to sign them off solo you would need to do some training in the aircraft.

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

3Dreaming wrote: I think you would need to do some training in the LSA because the student would need to be signed off for solo to do the check ride, and to sign them off solo you would need to do some training in the aircraft.

Yes, under most circumstances, the person would be signed off to solo the LSA, and that would require training in the LSA. But technically, one doesn't need to be signed off for solo in the plane they will do the practical in. They must have the proper solo endorsements. Obviously, if they are not signed off to solo, you couldn't fly solo to the place where you will take your practical. Yes, this is kind of a rare thing, but possible.

psjoe · Joined: 31 Aug 2010 Posts: 12 Location: Bucks County PA

Thanks, great info.

I am only 2 hours into it, so far in a 152. The school has a few 172s, a 152, a few Pipers, and the Diamond. No LSA, but using the SP syllabus. I was thinking of the Diamond as it as a stick, like most LSA, as opposed to the 152s yoke.

I was planning on doing 5 or so hours at this school then switching to a school that has a LSA. The reason I am starting at this school as I know the CFI's mother and it's only 10 mins. from my house.