Sport Pilot Talk

Hi, folks. I've been lurking for a couple of weeks while I sorted out flight training options and decided what I wanted to do. I finally made up my mind, so here I am. I'm looking forward to learning from the folks on this forum.

I've signed up for sport pilot training with First Landings Aviation in Apopka, FL. I'm starting to work through the ground school materials now, and I'll have my first flight on 5/28. Any help and advice regarding studying for the written test will be greatly appreciated.

By way of personal introduction, I'm a 54 year old electrical engineer. I'm with Lockheed Martin in Orlando, where I've been for 31 years now. Most of my work has been designing fire control systems and night vision avionics for military aircraft, but I've also done some design work on missiles. I'm working on the development of a new cruise missile presently.

God & 401k willing, I hope to retire in about 3 years, so I'm lining up my life toward that goal. Flying seems like something my wife and I would enjoy doing together after I retire since we both love to travel. Between now and then, I'd like to do local sightseeing, $100 hamburger trips, and occasional longer weekend trips to the Keys or the mountains. After I retire, I hope we can do some longer cross-country trips.

Happy to be here!

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My wife and I enjoy car trips, taking back roads and seeing the countryside and small towns. I think we'll like low and slow flying, looking at scenery, and seeing little air fields and interesting places.

I also looked at First Landings. I looked at so many I can't recall what I liked about each. A few questions:

- Are you doing accelerated? Or 2-3 times a week?
- What aircraft will you be training in? I see they have the P92 echo at First Landings.
- Is your plan to purchase or rent an aircraft?


As to the ground school, I'm guessing you'll follow the syllabus they recommend. I purchased Gleim, and was able to get that done prior to flight training.

Holler if you have any questions. It's a very exciting ride!

Did we perchance meet at Sun 'n' Fun?

Certainly we did, Eddie! I'll be in your neck of the woods in a week. Plan to ride some with Russ, and I'd love to take you up on your offer of a ride in the Sky Arrow, too, if you're willing and able.

Cluemeister, I plan to fly their Tecnam Bravo. They have 3, so if one goes down I should still be able to fly.

Not doing accelerated, but I'm hoping to fly 2x every Friday and Saturday. I'm scheduled to fly all 3 days of the Memorial Day weekend, for 6 lessons, as a bit of a quick start.

I'm using the ASA books, but I'd like to augment them with a few videos. I'd also like to find a good source for online tests. Any suggestions?

Plan to rent for at least the first year, then decide whether it makes sense to buy.

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Asa Prepware has an online test. I took it many times.

http://www.asa2fly.com/Prepware-Online-P1958.aspx

Half Fast wrote:Certainly we did, Eddie! I'll be in your neck of the woods in a week. Plan to ride some with Russ, and I'd love to take you up on your offer of a ride in the Sky Arrow, too, if you're willing and able.

Sounds good. The Sky Arrow is fresh out of an annual and itching for an excuse to fly! Russ actually lent me hand on the annual for a few hours and was a big help and good company.

I know you'll get a kick out of seeing some of our favorite motorcycling roads from the air - especially TN 68 and the Cherohala.

I'll try to keep my busy social calendar free for flying and riding!

Outstanding, Eddie! I'll be looking forward to it. Let's hope for good weather.

SportPilot wrote:Generally, it makes sense to buy when you are spending $1,000 per month or more to rent, IMHO. Of course, there are non-financial considerations also.

I suspect that once I start wanting to do trips of more than 2 or 3 days several times a year, renting will make less sense. Of course, there's a big variable in what plane is being considered for purchase. Renting versus buying an Icon might make a lot more sense than renting versus buying a Luscombe.

Cluemeister wrote:Asa Prepware has an online test. I took it many times.

http://www.asa2fly.com/Prepware-Online-P1958.aspx

Thanks!! I'll check it out. Did the question database change recently?

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Budget?

Hmmmmm.....

Budget.

Well, there's a thought.

Maybe I should start saving up my money to get one of those budget things.

SportPilot wrote:. I don't really want to deal with finding parts, etc. for a vintage aircraft.

There are companies that specialize in supplying parts for vintage aircraft like the Luscombe. Univair comes to mind.