Sunday, January 23, 2011

You Play on Land and Water! Why Not in the Air?

Calling all Recreational Weekend Warriors! You know who you are – recreational powersports enthusiasts who spend approximately 120 hours per year recreating on weekends, including holidays and vacation days. Thinking about your next recreational fix?

Satisfy your adventurer spirit and discover the exhilarating world of Recreational Sport Flying. Recreational Sport Flying is the recreational powersports alternative. Become a Sport Pilot and fulfill that burning desire for freedom and adventure like no other.

You think quads are fun. You get a rush out of power boating. Wait until you fly a light sport airplane. Now that will thrill you!

Experience the thrill of piloting a rugged light sport airplane. Challenge the elements – land, water and air. Discover the magic of flight!

Once you learn to fly - you will never experience anything more satisfying and fulfilling. Transform your life and become a convert today. Get Hooked On Flying!

Now Affordable and Fun!

"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return."
- Leonardo da Vinci

Sport Pilot License

The Sport Pilot certificate or license is a fairly new category of pilot created by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) back in 2004. In fact, it has been called "the biggest change in aviation in 50 years." The primary purpose behind creating this new category is to promote and encourage recreational general aviation (aka Recreational Sport Flying) by dramatically reducing the cost of learning to fly.

A Sport Pilot License is much less expensive and easier to obtain than a Private Pilot's license, making it very affordable and achievable for the average person. This is possible because it requires half the time to complete. A Sport Pilot license requires only 20 hours minimum training (combined ground and flight instruction) versus 40 hours minimum training for a Private Pilot's license. However, a Sport Pilot is by no means trained to lower standards than a Private Pilot. The piloting and mastery of a recreational aircraft is fundamentally the same. The difference is - there are some slight limitations on Sport Pilots versus Private Pilots due to the nature of recreational sport flying and its lower demand on piloting and cockpit management. The age requirement remains the same as obtaining a Private Pilot's license. You can solo at age 16 (fly by yourself during training), and obtain a license at age 17 (act as PIC or Pilot-In-Command). And there is no upper age limit for the Sport Pilot license. Note: additional training hours may be required to establish proficiency in a light sport airplane type and/or model.

A Sport Pilot license allows a pilot to fly aircraft that are certified under a complementary aircraft category called Light Sport Aircraft (LSA). The LSA category comprises several sub-categories: fixed-wing airplanes including ultralights, weight-shift control trikes, powered parachutes, gyroplanes, gliders, etc. This blog focuses on fixed-wing airplanes, the most popular type – and more specifically on Special Light Sport Aircraft (SLSA).

Another benefit of the Sport Pilot license is that it allows you to use a valid U.S. driver's license as evidence of medical eligibility in order to operate an airplane SLSA. The same restrictions (i.e. wearing glasses, etc.) that apply to your driver's license also apply when you fly a light sport airplane as a Sport Pilot. In other words, your driver's license can be used in lieu of having to complete a flight medical examination (a 3rd class medical exam is required for a Private Pilot's license) to establish medical fitness. Of course, every pilot must use sound judgment before any flight, and determine if he or she is medically fit to operate an aircraft safely.

Bottom line: becoming a pilot is now more affordable and achievable – for age-ready youth, baby boomers, and recreational powersports enthusiasts alike – than ever before! What are you waiting for? Isn't it time you stopped dreaming? Join the Recreational Sport Flying Revolution and become a Sport Pilot today.

Sport Pilot Limitations

• Flying only using Visual Flight Rules (VFR) - flying by visual ground reference in good weather conditions (requires 3 statute miles flight and surface visibility, including visual contact with the ground).

• Flying only at altitudes below 10,000 feet above sea level or 2,000 feet above ground level, whichever is higher.

• Flying only during daytime hours - no night flying is allowed.

• Flying only to airports in the U.S. (with proper endorsements) - recreational sport pilots usually fly to and from non-towered airports, remote airstrips or natural terrain and/or water locations (i.e. floatplane equipped SLSA).

• Flying only in designated airspace that may require minimal communications with air traffic control.

• Cannot carry more than one passenger.

• Cannot carry passengers for compensation or hire.

• No flying in furtherance of a business.

Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) and Airplane Special Light Sport Aircraft (SLSA)

The Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) category is a fairly new category of aircraft created by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) back in 2004 that complements the Sport Pilot license in order to make owning and operating a recreational sport aircraft easier and more affordable. The LSA category comprises several sub-categories: fixed-wing airplanes including ultralights, weight-shift control trikes, powered parachutes, gyroplanes, gliders, etc. This blog focuses on fixed-wing airplanes, the most popular type - and more specifically on Special Light Sport Aircraft (SLSA).

Airplane LSA may be sold in kit form or ready-to-fly. Kits are usually purchased by those with a passion for building. For those lacking the builder mindset, ready-to-fly airplanes, SLSA, come completely assembled by the manufacturer.

SLSA come in two fixed (non-retractable) landing gear configurations – taildragger (aka tailwheel) and tri-cycle (aka nosewheel). Most are familiar with the tri-cycle gear version which is typically easier to control - i.e. maneuver on the ground, take-off and land, etc. Tri-cycle gear SLSA also come ready-to-fly in a STOL adaptation. STOL stands for Short Take-off and Landing. STOL SLSA or rugged Light Sport Utility airplanes provide the capability of landing on remote or backcountry airstrips or natural terrain, as well as executing short take-offs and landings requiring steep ascents or descents over obstacles like trees or hills.

An ideal feature of some SLSA is foldable wings. Foldable wings allow the ability to trailer aircraft to and from an airport, airpark or airstrip, including remote natural terrain. This feature enables additional savings by eliminating the need for expensive hangar or tie-down storage. Instead, you can store your SLSA in your garage, on the side of your home, or at another less expensive storage location.

Light Sport Aircraft Defined

• Maximum gross weight of 1,320 lbs. (1,430 lbs. for floatplanes)

• Maximum 2 seat cabin (pilot and one passenger)

• Non-pressurized cabin (when equipped as a fully enclosed cockpit)

• Fixed landing gear (taildragger or tri-cycle)

• Single, reciprocating engine

• Maximum airspeed in level flight with full cruise power – 120 knots (138 mph)

• Maximum stall airspeed – 45 knots (51 mph)

Sport Pilot Flight Training

A Sport Pilot is by no means trained to lower standards than a Private Pilot. The piloting and mastery of a recreational sport aircraft or SLSA is fundamentally the same. The difference is that there are some slight limitations on Sport Pilots versus Private Pilots due to the nature of recreational sport flying and its lower demand on piloting overall.

Less training is required for the Sport Pilot license versus the Private Pilot's license because there is no requirement to train for night flying, high altitude flying, control tower operations and procedures at busy, restrictive airports, or radio navigation procedures. Therefore, flight training is in effect reduced from a 40 hour to 20 hour minimum requirement. However, actual hours may vary somewhat according to ability, frequency of lessons, weather conditions, airplane model and scheduling challenges.

Sport Pilot flight training essentially consists of two components: ground school plus flight instruction. Ground school is primarily self-study and may be conducted entirely at home through a book and/or DVD series, concluding with a knowledge written exam. Flight instruction consists of a series of flight lessons and solo flight time designed to train the student pilot on how to operate his or her chosen airplane SLSA safely and confidently. All training will culminate in a practical flight exam (better known as a checkride) conducted by a FAA examiner. If you pass the checkride and your written exam, you receive your Sport Pilot license.

Minimum 20 Hours Flight Training

• 15 hours dual flight training with a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) – includes 2 hours spent on cross country flight procedures (i.e. longer distance flights to and from pre-selected airports).

• 5 hours supervised student “solo” flight time, including completion of one cross country flight of at least 75 miles to and from 2 different pre-selected airports; when your instructor feels confident that you are ready to solo, he or she will set you off on your own (or solo) as you work toward the completion of your training.

Sport Pilot Flight Training Areas

• Pre-flight procedures

• Fundamentals of flight

• Flight operations

• Flight maneuvers

• Take-offs and landings

• Stalls

• Crosswind control

• Emergency operations

• Airport operations

• Aviation weather

• Airplane performance

• Thumb-on-the-map navigation

• Ground reference maneuvers

• Airspace and air traffic

• Radio communications

• Post-flight procedures

• And more!

Recreational Sport Flying

What is Recreational Sport Flying? Recreational Sport Flying is normally considered non-conventional general aviation flying – in other words, for recreational purposes rather than traditional transportation purposes. It focuses on recreational sport flyers who utilize airplane SLSA for recreational powersports fun and adventure. Flight plans are usually not needed, and cross-country trips are typically infrequent. In fact, flying under the radar might be considered the "Norm."

Sport pilots take-off, go fly, land, and do it all over again – enjoying the purest and simplest form of recreational flying fun – for example:

• Flying around an ocean shoreline, a lake, or airport or airpark

• Flying airport-to-airport or airpark-to-airport for a bite to eat

• Flying to a remote or backcountry landing spot and enjoying an afternoon picnic

• Shooting landings on land or water

• Taking in the sights

• Flying in formation

• Flying to recreational sport aviation events (i.e. AirVenture, Sun ‘n Fun, etc.)

• Exploring remote or backcountry locations or airstrips – satisfying the adventurer spirit

• Camping with your airplane (i.e. fishing, hiking, etc.)

• Doing fly-ins and fly-outs

• Engaging in short “air rover” flights just for fun – while building proficiency and flight time

• Simply enjoying the freedom and adventure of Recreational Sport Flying

One unique feature of Recreational Sport Flying is the ability for rugged airplane SLSA to land and take-off from remote or backcountry locations or airstrips that would otherwise be off-limits to high-end luxury models. STOL SLSA or rugged Light Sport Utility airplanes provide the capability to land on short airstrips or natural terrain, as well as execute short take-offs and landings requiring steep ascents or descents over obstacles like trees or hills. These airplanes are literally like quads or jeeps that fly! Now how cool is that?

Recreational Sport Flying is truly the recreational powersports alternative. Become a Sport Pilot and fulfill that burning desire for freedom and adventure like no other!

Sport Pilot and SLSA Costs

Flight Training

The cost of obtaining your Sport Pilot license in an airplane SLSA will run anywhere from $3,500 to $4,500. In contrast, a Private Pilot's license will run anywhere from $8,500 to $9,500 or more. As you can see, the Sport Pilot license is much less expensive and more affordable for the average person who wants to learn to fly and join the Recreational Sport Flying revolution!

Pilot Gear

Sport Pilots will need at best the following pilot gear - headset, kneeboard, VFR sectional map, electronic flight computer, fuel tester, timer, wind meter and tire chocks. A headset is the most expensive item of all, and a good one will run around $200 to $300. All items in total should cost under $750 new.

Annual Operating Cost

Based on flying 120 hours a year (an average of 10 hours a month) in a rugged airplane SLSA (equipped with a 100-horsepower Rotax 912 ULS engine), the annual operating cost will run approximately $350 per month. Operating cost normally comprises engine cost (i.e. oil, overhaul reserve), fuel cost, inspection cost (an FAA requirement), and insurance cost.

To illustrate savings utilizing an airplane SLSA vs. a conventional piston single-engine airplane – a conventional piston single-engine powerplant will consume fuel at 9.5 gallons per hour vs. an SLSA piston single-engine powerplant (i.e. Rotax 912 ULS engine) at only 4 gallons per hour. This dramatic reduction in fuel consumption results in a significant savings for the Sport Pilot owner/operator.

Preventive Maintenance

SLSA must be maintained by a FAA certified mechanic. However, a Sport Pilot may perform some preventive maintenance on his or her aircraft – such as adding oil or cooling fluid, adding air to tires, and performing other minor maintenance. This helps to reduce overall costs.

Airplane SLSA Financing

The price tag for a new, standard equipped rugged airplane SLSA will run approximately $70,000 to $100,000, depending on the manufacturer. Standard equipped models typically include a portable GPS system for enhanced navigation and weather information. Financed over a 10-year period or 120 months, the monthly cost breaks down as follows:

1) Aircraft Price Tag = $70,000

15% Down = $10,500

85% Financed = $59,500

Interest Rate = 7%

Monthly Payment for a Sole Owner = $692


2) Aircraft Price Tag = $100,000

15% Down = $15,000

85% Financed = $85,000

Interest Rate = 7%

Monthly Payment for a Sole Owner = $987

Shared Ownership

When it comes to Recreational Sport Flying, shared ownership is the prudent way to go. Since most recreational powersports enthusiasts spend approximately 120 hours a year on recreational weekend bliss, it doesn't make sense to be the sole owner of an airplane SLSA. Instead, it makes perfect sense to own an SLSA under a shared ownership or partnership arrangement. When you divide the monthly financing cost by 4 shared owners and then add operating cost based on each owner flying 120 hours a year, the cost is much more affordable.

Each of 4 shared owners' out-of-pocket monthly cost would be as follows:

1) $692 + $350 = $1,042/mo. for a sole owner

vs.

$692/4 shared owners + $350 ea. = $523/mo. per each shared owner


2) $987 + $350 = $1,337/mo. for a sole owner

vs.

$987/4 shared owners + $350 ea. = $597/mo. per each owner

Each of the 4 shared owners would also pay 1/4 of the down payment or acquisition cost. And, of course, a longer financing term would further reduce one's overall monthly outlay.

As you can see, one should strongly consider shared ownership as the sensible choice!


Note: All estimates are based on general data derived from various online resources. The GetHookedOnFlying.com blog is not responsible for cost accuracy.