Sport Pilot Talk

Paul,

Thanks for taking the time to answer our sometimes boring questions.

I asked this question before the board was hijacked, hacked and destroyed but never got to the answer and thought I would post it up again.

I am trying to locate an examiner who will give PPL / Comm / Instrument etc. exams in an LSA anywhere near Central Florida. Seems like no one wants to be bothered flying something different.

Without examiners, it is hard to get the exam unless you spend a lot of wasted money renting 152's for the express purpose of taking a test, even though you will never fly one again.

Thanks.

Until Paul chimes in ... you can get name, address and phone number of all the Designated Examiners in your area direct from the FAA:

http://av-info.faa.gov/DesigneeSearch.asp

Are you just asking why you can't find a DE that wants to do the exams in an LSA? Isn't it up to the examiner which types of aircraft he/she wants to fly?

I'd think that's like opening a flight school and buying only DC-3's. And then wondering why you can't find a DE to use them for Instrument exams.

Man - if only the 150/152 could be flown by certificated sport pilots ....

Tom

For A PPL checkride there is no reason a DPE can not use a LSA if it is property equipped to do the test, specifically "Basic Instrument Maneuvers". There is no requirement for a Sport Pilot DPE time in make/model, there might be some requirement for private airplane. This would have to be discussed with the private DPE.

Whether we like it or not, it is up to the DPE what aircraft they will do the test in. I have refused to do tests in experimental because it just looked like an aircraft I did not want to get into. Maybe with Cessna promising a LSA, the DPE's might realize it is just another brand of airplane.

As CTflyer comments, go to the FAA web site and bug the DPE's until you find someone.

Best,
Paul