Sport to Private

Sport aviation is growing rapidly. But the new sport pilot / light-sport aircraft rules are still a mystery to many flight schools and instructors. To locate a flight school offering sport pilot training and/or light-sport aircraft rentals, click on the "Flight School And Rental Finder" tab above. This is a great place to share ideas on learning to fly, flight schools, costs and anything else related to training.

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Half Fast
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Location: Central Florida

Sport to Private

Post by Half Fast »

Passed my PPL checkride today to upgrade from my Sport ticket! Took a while to get wx, plane, DPE, and the stars to align. My CFI signed me off 3/31 but I couldn’t get a ride scheduled until late May. We did the oral, but winds prevented the ride. Then the DPE was out of town for 3 weeks.

So this afternoon everything finally worked out. 1 hour on the Hobbs and I have a new ticket!

Time to start plane shopping. I’m thinking maybe a Grumman Traveler.
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I dream of a world where chickens can cross roads without having their motives questioned.
TimTaylor
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Re: Sport to Private

Post by TimTaylor »

Congratulations.
Retired from flying.
AGLyme
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Re: Sport to Private

Post by AGLyme »

That's a big deal and something to be proud of... see you in the air !
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FastEddieB
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Re: Sport to Private

Post by FastEddieB »

Let’s go find you that Traveler!
Fast Eddie B.
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Half Fast
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Re: Sport to Private

Post by Half Fast »

FastEddieB wrote:Let’s go find you that Traveler!

Know a CFI who has flown one? :mrgreen: I need transition training.
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ShawnM
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Re: Sport to Private

Post by ShawnM »

Congrats Half Fast, we met in Sebring this year at one of Paul's talks.

Good luck in your plane search.
Sling 2 Pilot
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Re: Sport to Private

Post by Sling 2 Pilot »

Do yourself a favor, if you can afford it, get a Tiger. I should have never sold mine...
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drseti
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Re: Sport to Private

Post by drseti »

Well done, sir. We're all proud of you.
The opinions posted are those of one CFI, and do not necessarily represent the FAA or its lawyers.
Prof H Paul Shuch
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FastEddieB
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Re: Sport to Private

Post by FastEddieB »

Sling 2 Pilot wrote:Do yourself a favor, if you can afford it, get a Tiger. I should have never sold mine...
Half Fast seems committed to the Traveler. I owned one in the 1980’s, instructing in it and using as a rental out of Opa Locka. Fine little plane.

Image

But more recently, I also owned a Tiger, purchased in 1992 and sold in 2003:

Image

I think the Traveler cruised at about 125 kts, the Tiger at about 132 kts. Not a huge difference. Where the 30 extra hp does make a difference is in climb rate. Based in FL, perhaps not a priority for Half Fast. But there are lots of airports in the mountains where the “pucker factor” on climbout in a Traveler would be a lot higher, especially on a hot day. As such, I would lean towards the Tiger.

Two asides:

1) The folding rear seat, combined with the sliding canopy, makes loading bulky objects easy. I once carried two full-sized bicycles to Cape Canaveral to ride to a better view of a shuttle launch. Very handy.

2) When I owned my Tiger I was listed as an approved instructor for the American Yankee Society. So if Half Fast does go this route, I’d love to be involved.
Fast Eddie B.
Sky Arrow 600 E-LSA • N467SA
CFI, CFII, CFIME
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FastEddieB
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Re: Sport to Private

Post by FastEddieB »

A few more Grumman points...

3) GREAT engine access compared to most planes - two latches and the whole cowling top opens up on either side.

4) There’s also the AA5A Cheetah to consider. A bit more hp (160) and a bit newer and with a couple of aerodynamic mods from the Tiger.

5) I spoke with the owner of an original AA1 - the two-seat original version - on Saturday at a fly-in and he said parts were still available from FletchAir. Good to know.
Fast Eddie B.
Sky Arrow 600 E-LSA • N467SA
CFI, CFII, CFIME
[email protected]
Type47
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Re: Sport to Private

Post by Type47 »

Fun!!
Did you use First Landings for the additional training?
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Half Fast
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Re: Sport to Private

Post by Half Fast »

Sling 2 Pilot wrote:Do yourself a favor, if you can afford it, get a Tiger. I should have never sold mine...

A Tiger would be nice but they’re going for 2.5x to 3x the price of a Traveler. I just can’t justify that right now.
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Half Fast
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Re: Sport to Private

Post by Half Fast »

Type47 wrote:Fun!!
Did you use First Landings for the additional training?

Yep! And flew the same Tecnam I did my Sport checkride in.
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Scooper
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Re: Sport to Private

Post by Scooper »

Congratulations, Half Fast!
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