Sport Pilot Talk

A friend is using my P 92 Eaglet to train for his Light Sport license. He currently has 16 hours in the plane, but previously trained in an Ercoupe that can be flown as light sport (an unmodified 415c). He has 37 total hours of training (including solo time) and feels he is ready to take his practic...

In answer to Paul's question, the DPE understood he will have to submit the 8710-11 manually, and I paid accordingly - happily! I am enjoying a whole new re-birth in my flying enjoyment. Now if my daughter will just let me have the plane back --

Well, I am happy to report that I was finally able to get a check ride to remove my rudder pedal(less) Ercoupe license limitation. An intrepid DPE in MD was willing to risk 4 or 5 landings with me with a few forward slips allowing me to demonstrate my rudder prowess. Log book endorsed, waiting for t...

Paul, that is a very attractive and welcome offer which I will keep in reserve. I did just get an encouraging response from a LSE DPE who is "researching the issue" and is close to where my plane is now (Northern VA). If that should fall through, I may be in contact. To answer your questio...

I would be delighted to pay an extra $100 to find someone that would help me banish this curse. I have already been out hundreds in travel (the plane is 450 miles away from home and I can't fly it home) and torn out most of my hair trying to cram the thing into IACRA. (So did my CFI) After my post, ...

I bought my Ercoupe 415C about 7 years ago, tested in it as a Sport Pilot and have been flying it ever since. It has no rudder pedals. I now have over 400 hours in my log book with all but 100 in the coupe. Previously, I had trained in conventional control LSAs (Eaglets & Remos GX). Recently, I ...

Thanks for all the replies and additional info on this subject. Your references help clear up the area for me - although I have a lot more study to do.

I have been working with a fellow Ercoupe owner who is currently a Powered Parachute pilot and holds a Sport Pilot license. The local CFIs are confused about what endorsements he will need to transition to fly his new LSA qualified 'Coupe. I have been researching the 2018 FAR regarding Sport Pilot e...

I have owned one since late 2012. Got my LSA license in it. Bought it for under 20K, but have invested another $15K+ (mostly for engine overhaul- which I am now doubtful it needed). Yes, the cockpit is small by today's standards, but works for me. I'm 180, 70". A similar size person will fit in...

I have owned one since late 2012. Got my LSA license in it. Bought it for under 20K, but have invested another $15K+ (mostly for engine overhaul- which I am now doubtful it needed). Yes, the cockpit is small by today's standards, but works for me. I'm 180, 70". A similar size person will fit in...

Mine has no rudder pedals. You steer with the yoke like a car. As for cross wind landings, the plane worries about those - up to about 21 kts. Some 'coupers claim it will handle more, but I have never pushed it that far. I find this feature particularly comforting when you have gusty or variable win...

You still have the possibility of buying a "Legacy" LSA - such as one of the older tail draggers or an Ercoupe (the choice I ultimately settled on). They are all getting harder to find and some (such as the Cub) are pretty slow and often pricey. Also, most of them are fabric covered. I fin...

I was reading an article in December AOPA Pilot magazine by Pres Mark baker lamenting the dwindling numbers of GA pilots ("Blue Skies Ahead", p6). According to the article, the number of Pilots flying in the US in 1980 (827,071) has today dropped to 590,038. Moreover, the number of private...

I just saw your reply. I haven't been very active all summer (too hot!) but plan to get in some serious flying practice soon - hopefully this week. I have flown quite a few different LS planes, but finally settled on the Ercoupe. Mine has been upgraded a lot and I am very happy with it for my uses. ...

I am planning to put the split tail on mine soon to bring it up to the 1320 gross weight for an LSA. I will post a picture as soon as I dig one out and figure out how to post. Are you a member of a local EOC chapter? where do you hanger? I flew mine quite a bit when I first got it. Down to clearwate...