Could Sport Pilots Use More Positive PR?

[CTLSi]

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[Wm.Ince]

Again, you give an example that supports my contention. If you have a medical condition that you believe will prevent you from getting the medical cert in any of the three classes you have a simple choice to make...go and flunk, go and pass, or fly as a sport pilot.

The word mincing comes from the logical fallacy known as 'distinction without a difference.'

Unless one has the full set of qualifications (including medical certification), one is NOT able to exercise the privileges of anything other than a sport pilot.

This rhetoric is really getting boring.

[3Dreaming]

I know of several people who can get a medical that choose not to. For example someone who has had a heart attack, bypass surgery, or even just a stint put in will have to get a special issue medical the first few times after the incident. After a while it goes back to the normal issue process. The cost of the testing if it has to be paid out of pocket can be quite expensive. Some choose not to go through the process because of the expense. In one case I know of a pilot who had a angioplasty that his cardiologist said he didn't need, because the stress test showed one artery closed up .5mm more than the FAA would allow. The angioplasty and stint that followed will require an other waiting period and stress test to satisfy the FAA.
It is things like this that cause people who could get a FAA medical to choose not to get one.

Again, you give an example that supports my contention. If you have a medical condition that you believe will prevent you from getting the medical cert in any of the three classes you have a simple choice to make...go and flunk, go and pass, or fly as a sport pilot.

The word mincing comes from the logical fallacy known as 'distinction without a difference.'

Unless one has the full set of qualifications (including medical certification), one is NOT able to exercise the privileges of anything other than a sport pilot.

Actually it counters your contention, but your so set on making your incorrect point you can't see it. These conditions will not prevent you from getting a medical. There have been people who have gotten a medical after a heart transplant. It is not the fact that they can't get a medical, but rather the simple fact is the cost for the required testing is more than some can afford for a recreational activity.

Also your contention that one can NOT exercise anything other than sport pilot privileges without a medical is also wrong.

[Wm.Ince]

Actually it counters your contention, but your so set on making your incorrect point you can't see it. These conditions will not prevent you from getting a medical. There have been people who have gotten a medical after a heart transplant. It is not the fact that they can't get a medical, but rather the simple fact is the cost for the required testing is more than some can afford for a recreational activity.

Also your contention that one can NOT exercise anything other than sport pilot privileges without a medical is also wrong.

He doesn't get it . . . and he never will get it.
I suggest we move on past his BS and stale rhetoric.

[Merlinspop]

Motor gliders are the Rodney Dangerfield of aviation. I believe you can even be denied a medical and still fly them, no? (Assuming you're otherwise qualified)

[mcurcio1989]

I agree that there is definitely a stigma towards sport pilots however I don't have a problem with the limitations. The way I see it they allow us to fly without as strict of pilot requirements on the conditions that we may not fly in areas of heightened risk to the public and our passenger. That just makes sense as far as I am concerned.

No, there is not a switch that goes off and makes you no longer safe to fly in those conditions but you have waived their right to determine if you are and therefore it would be reckless to allow you to.

[deltafox]

I was helping out with crowd control during a recent Young Eagles event at the airport. A pilot from a neighboring airport had flown his Beechcraft in to give some rides and noticed the sign advertising Light Sport. "Can you go anywhere in one of those 'things'?" I swallowed hard and patiently explained LSA rules and limitations and some of Sally's performance numbers. After busting some of the "but you can't..." myths he started in on the "unreliable snowmobile engine". Once again I corrected him and stressed the low fuel burn and the ability to use Mogas. "Piper and Cessna got out of the business, they must not be profitable." ...or they weren't marketed properly I said. After awhile he shook my hand and left for home. Later two other pilots asked about getting a Discovery Flight.

Be patient and be willing to discuss that facts. There is a lot of misinformation out there.

[MrMorden]

I was helping out with crowd control during a recent Young Eagles event at the airport. A pilot from a neighboring airport had flown his Beechcraft in to give some rides and noticed the sign advertising Light Sport. "Can you go anywhere in one of those 'things'?" I swallowed hard and patiently explained LSA rules and limitations and some of Sally's performance numbers. After busting some of the "but you can't..." myths he started in on the "unreliable snowmobile engine". Once again I corrected him and stressed the low fuel burn and the ability to use Mogas. "Piper and Cessna got out of the business, they must not be profitable." ...or they weren't marketed properly I said. After awhile he shook my hand and left for home. Later two other pilots asked about getting a Discovery Flight.

Be patient and be willing to discuss that facts. There is a lot of misinformation out there.

Definitely!

As to the engine thing, the 912 was built from the ground up as an airplane engine. Sure Rotax makes engines for ultralights, snowmobiles, and lots of other stuff. But to say a 912 is a snowmobile engine is like saying a Corvette engine is a farm tractor engine because GM makes those too.

If you really want to see a Lycoming/Continental bigot's head explode, tell them the (true) statistic that over 80% of new aircraft engines worldwide are built by Rotax...

[drseti]

If the Rotax 912/914 series were so terrible, the Predator A would have been Lycoming powered.

[CTLSi]

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[MrMorden]

If the Rotax 912/914 series were so terrible, the Predator A would have been Lycoming powered.

And have 1/2 the range...

[SportPilot]

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[Merlinspop]

Flying is flying... Anyone looking down on one type of craft versus another is just an unevolved goof.

Wooo boy! You sure said a mouthful with that one! And those folks who disparage every other type of airplane except for the one that they fly... Man, they're the worst.

[CTLSi]

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[SportPilot]

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