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Q&A: What you’re asking

Common questions for your instructor
By Steve Krog

Q: I read and enjoyed your article about ground reference maneuvers. I’m having a hard time with them. It is hard for me to be patient in the upwind segments as these can be much slower because of the slower ground speed. The downwind segments tend to be more rapid. The brain wants equal time segments for each 90-degree arc.

A: It takes patience. Try to visualize what the airplane is doing as you practice your “S” turns. Think about where you want the airplane to be and then make it go there.

Q: I am considering taking flying lessons but am wondering about several things: 1.) Is it worth considering a sport pilot license since the cost is so much less? 2.) Where would I find a good, reputable, and certified sport pilot in my area? I live near St Paul, Minnesota, in the 55112 zip code.

A: Congratulations on your interest in learning to fly. I must warn you, it can be quite satisfying as well as addictive! Deciding to pursue a sport pilot over private pilot rating will depend on what types of flying you plan to do. While sport pilot is more economical, it’s more restrictive. If you think you’d be doing a lot of area pleasure daytime flying, then sport pilot would be the way to go. However, if you want to do cross-country flying, flying at night, or take more than one passenger at a time, you’ll want to go for your private pilot. I suggest taking about 6-10 hours of flight training and then make your decision, as the training is nearly identical for both ratings up to that point.

To locate a sport pilot instructor and/or school, visit www.sportpilot.org/instructors/index.html.

Q: I started taking flying lessons at Airtax at New Orleans Lakefront airport in 1977. I soloed and accumulated about 40 hours. I did a cross-country solo from N.O. Lakefront to Baton Rouge to Lafayette, back to Lakefront, and one from Lakefront to Gulfport to Meridian, back to Lakefront. For some reason, I never did take the FAA exam (I think I was afraid to take a written test, although I have a BA in Government, a BA in History, and a MA in History). My wife and I moved to Montgomery, Alabama, in December of 1981, and I would like to start flying again. Do you recommend any flight schools here? I am 65 years old, and in excellent health. Can I still get a license? I never took my logbook with me, and it was destroyed in Katrina. I still have the receipts for all of my flights, with times and cost.

A: Whenever someone is “bitten” by the aviation bug it can become addictive. Sometimes it remains dormant and then surfaces, such as in your case. Sixty-five is not too old to resume flight lessons. I just finished with a sport pilot student who is in his early 70’s and I’m flying with another who is 77.

The first thing to do is locate a flight school in your area. To do this, go to www.sportpilot.org. Then select “Flight Instructors” from the pull down menu. This will provide a sub menu where you select the state in which you reside (Alabama). You’ll now have a list of flight instructors and flight schools offering sport pilot training in your state. Find one or two located nearest you and contact them.

You indicated your logbook was lost but you still had the receipts from your previous flight training. Be sure to take these receipts with you when you visit the flight school. They may be able to credit you with the previous flight hours you accumulated, which would definitely shorten the time and expense to earn your rating. Welcome back to the great world of sport aviation!

Q: I am interested in learning to fly and would like to obtain a private pilot license, but I am not sure where to start. I don’t have any flight experience. I live in Oshkosh and I love to attend EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. Could you please recommend a flight school?

A: Congratulations on your interest in learning to fly. Because you live in Oshkosh, I would first suggest attending EAA AirVenture and visiting the EAA Welcome Center (previously EAA Member Village). There you will find a lot of information on learning to fly. I also recommend paying a visit to the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) tent as well as the Learn to Fly Center, where you’ll have opportunities to visit with many Certificated Flight Instructors (CFI) who volunteer their time to answer questions like yours. Check out the Yellow Pages for flight schools in or near Oshkosh. I believe there are at least two schools based on the field. Visit each and then make your decision. Finally, I encourage you to read the back issues of Reach For The Sky, which contain some recommendations about what to look for in a flight school.

Q: Can you PLEASE resend me the Reach for the Sky newsletter for April? My boss came in and messed with my computer and deleted it. I really appreciate getting this every month. I think you are doing a great job. Thank you!

A: Be glad to resend the April newsletter. Thanks, too, for your comments. And if your boss deletes your newsletter in the future, visit www.sportpilot.org/learntofly/issues/ for an online archive of Reach for the Sky.

Q: I passed my Medical Certificate and continued my student pilot training. The FAA then “recalled” my Medical Certificate until I completed a battery of rather expensive medical tests. So, I quit the training. That was over twenty years ago. What would I have to do to get back into the cockpit for a sport pilot license?

A: The “recall” of your FAA Medical Certificate is considered a “denial” based on the current Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs). Before you could become a sport pilot, you would first need to get your 3rd Class Medical Certificate reinstated. Tests the FAA required over twenty years ago may have been amended or may not even apply today. Once you have a valid 3rd Class Medical you then have the option of allowing it to expire and switching to sport pilot operations and limitations, which require a valid driver’s license only. Until you clear up the denial from your record though, you will not be eligible to fly, even at the sport pilot level. You may also want to discuss your situation with a representative of EAA’s Aeromedical/Legal Advisory group for guidance on how to pursue reinstatement. Their number is 888-322-4636.

Q. Is there a list of flight schools that offer a one-week sport pilot camp or vacation that you can point me to?
A. At this time I am not aware of any flight schools that offer a one-week LSA pilot camp. I would recommend that you continue to check EAA’s sport pilot website (www.SportPilot.org) from time to time as I’m sure a camp like this would be listed on the website if it were offered by someone. Also, check EAA’s Calendar of Events website (www.EAA.org/calendar). A camp like this might be listed there as well.

There are flight schools offering weeklong, concentrated sport pilot training courses of which I am aware. Check with the flight school nearest you and see what it offers.

Q. I am 12 years old. When should I start learning to fly if I want to get my certificate when I turn 16?
A. You are to be commended for your strong interest in learning to fly. You can begin flying lessons at any age provided you can adequately reach and operate the controls of the aircraft. I’ve started training students that are your age and even younger. One avenue you might consider is pursuing a private pilot glider rating. You can solo a glider at age 14 and earn your rating at age 16. Another suggestion would be to begin taking lessons in powered aircraft on an every-other-week schedule. Flying more often than that would prepare you for soloing well before your 16th birthday. Waiting around for a long period of time until you’re old enough to solo may be boring!

Q. I am — or was — a private pilot but haven’t flown in more than 10 years. At that time I was flying a Cessna 172. What would I have to do to get current and fly as a sport pilot?
A. First, I assume that you were never denied on a flight physical and just let your third-class medical certificate expire when you discontinued flying. If that is indeed the case, you won’t have to obtain another medical certificate to fly as a sport pilot provided you have a valid driver’s license.

That said, it will take about six to 10 hours of dual instruction to get you current in a light-sport aircraft, depending upon your experience. You can expect to spend an equal amount of time in ground school getting current and up to speed on regulations and airspace requirements/limitations.

Q. I was reading last month’s Q & A and saw the question about the 12-year-old son learning to fly. My son is 13 and has been counting the days until he’s 16 and can solo since we started his “flight school fund” two years ago. I had assumed that we wouldn’t start his lessons until he was 15 (and saved enough to pay for the training!) but from your response, it seems that there are other options that we should consider.

We live in Duluth, Georgia, and I know there’s an EAA chapter in Lawrenceville, which is just a few miles away, but I’m not sure how to begin the process/discussion. Do I just show up and start talking to someone? Can anyone train an under-age pilot wannabe or do they have to have special training or certification(s)? And is flight school pay-as-you-go or do you have to pay for it all upfront?

A. EAA Chapter 690 is located near Lawrenceville. The President of the chapter is Deb Huffman and her phone number is 770.483.0245. Give her a call. I’m sure she will be able to help you out. As I recall, this chapter is quite active in promoting aviation to young individuals.

Flight training can begin at an earlier age. One option you and your son might explore is glider flying. One can solo a glider at age 15 and obtain a glider private pilot license at 16. Glider flying is also excellent training in preparation for flying powered aircraft.

I have started students as young as 12 but I slow the progress of flight training so that they reach the skill level for solo to coincide with their 16^th birthday.

Q. How does one remember all of the different classes of airspace?
A. First, refer back to the Q & A section of the February issue of Reach For The Sky. Additionally, Bob Arthurs offered this suggestion. When addressing Class B, think of busy; Class C, of crowded; Class D, think of dense; Class E, think of enroute; and Class G, go for it. With those I have instructed over the years, this provides a little more “sticking” power for the memory.

Q. I am very interested in flying. But the cost is so much and I don’t know how to earn it. How did you earn enough money to get your private pilot license?
A. I have worked with a number of young students in the past. Currently, I am working with two who are in a financial position similar to yours. What we have arranged is this: After school and on weekends they work for me at the airport in exchange for flight time. They wash and wax airplanes, keep the hangar clean and organized, and assist me with any number of other tasks that are required at the airport. One of the two students also cuts my lawn during the summer to help with his flight costs. Trading labor for flight training has worked out very well. If you are truly interested in learning to fly, I’m sure you’ll be able to work out a plan to make it happen. It comes down to how bad you really want it!

Q. I have just begun flight training (for fun—I hope) and am wondering about insurance. Should I get some sort of liability insurance? What coverage do I have when I am with an instructor—do I need more? Any help will be appreciated.
A. Virtually every flight school carries liability insurance covering flight training operations. However, for additional peace of mind, you might check into “Renter’s Insurance.” Ask your flight instructor or the flight operations manager for information and recommendations.

Q. Can I take sport pilot lessons in aircraft other than light sport aircraft?
A. Yes you can. However, all of your solo flights must be in light sport aircraft and your flight checkride must be done in a light sport aircraft.

Q. I have limited time and training in a Piper Tomahawk and a Cessna 172, a total of about 45 hours over an extended period of time. Rather than pursue the private pilot license, I’d rather pursue the sport pilot rating. Where do I go to get a student license and take the sport pilot written exam?
A. You will need to visit the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) serving the area where you are located. Provide them with a photo ID and they can issue you a student license. The sport pilot written exam can be taken at any of the locations offering FAA written tests. However, before you can take the written exam you will need the signature of your flight instructor stating that you have studied and are prepared for the exam. Or, you can complete one of the sport pilot DVD courses. Upon satisfactory completion you will be issued a document stating that you are prepared for the written exam.

Q. I have a problem with parallax when landing. When I think I’m lined up with the centerline of the runway, my instructor tells me I’m pointing left. When I follow his instructions I feel I’m heading to the right of the runway. He is, of course, always right. Any advice?
A. Another student pilot answered the question as follows: I, too, was having a lot of trouble lining up wit the centerline of the runway. When my instructor said I was lined up correctly, I felt I was way off to the right. One day when there was no one in the traffic pattern we lined the airplane up with the centerline and just sat there for a period of time. I took note of where the runway centerline was in relation to a reference point on the airplane. From then on I had no trouble getting lined up with the centerline either taking off or landing.

Q. I am a private pilot helicopter pilot. Do I need to take the written test and checkride to become a sport pilot?
A. First, I am making the assumption that you want to fly fixed wing light sport aircraft as a sport pilot. If that is the question, you need not take the FAA written test because the helicopter private pilot written test included “powered aircraft” questions. You will, however, have to obtain dual instruction in fixed wing aircraft, preferably light sport aircraft, and then take a proficiency checkride with a Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI) in a light sport aircraft to add the sport pilot rating making you legal to fly light sport aircraft.

Q. Does my non-light sport aircraft flight training count toward obtaining a sport pilot license?
A. When you were training in non-light sport powered aircraft were you obtaining your training from a Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI)? If so, the dual flight time logged can be credited toward the sport pilot rating. And if you had an FAA Third Class flight physical and accrued solo flight time from a CFI, all of the solo flight time can be counted. You will need a minimum 15 hours of logged dual instruction (in either non- or light sport aircraft) and a minimum of five (5) solo flight hours in a light sport aircraft to meet the minimum requirements for taking the sport pilot checkride. In addition, you are also required to obtain at least three (3) hours of dual instruction in light sport aircraft in the preceding 60 days in preparation for the flight test.

Q: I received my first issue of your newsletter and am very excited about finding out more about learning to fly. I've always thought about taking lessons but I've held back because of my fear of heights. Is this an obstacle?
A. I, too, had a fear of heights when I first began flight lessons. However, within about three hours I came to have a better understanding about lift and how the wing provided it. I also had a very good instructor who was willing to work with me at my own comfortable pace. To this day I still have a fear of heights when I'm standing on a ladder but it does not affect me in any way when I'm in an airplane. Don't let your perceived fear of heights prevent you from enjoying the great pleasure of flying.

Q. I have received several estimates from instructors stating that the cost to get a sport pilot license would run about $2,800-$3,500 or so. Is there a cheaper alternate to this procedure? I realize airtime is probably a given, but I'm looking for a price break if at all possible. Any ideas?
A. Congratulations on your interest in learning to fly! The price range you were quoted is about average. The sport pilot students that I've taught have been ready to take the sport pilot checkride somewhere in the range of 30-35 hours (depending on frequency of flight). Add to that the books and materials needed to study and take the FAA written test (about $75) and the cost of the checkride ($175) and you fall about in the middle of the price range you were quoted. The average cost for obtaining a private pilot license is about another $2,000 more because of the additional training required.

We'd all like to see flight training offered at a much less cost. However, with fuel, insurance, etc., it's hard to do it much more economically. At least the sport pilot option offers a new student an economical route to experience flight.

Q. I began my training in March 2007, received my sport pilot license in June 2007 and am currently pursuing my private pilot license and I'm taking instrument ground school. Does "Reach for the Sky" have value for me?
A. Wow, you are to be congratulated for your aggressive pursuit of your flight ratings. "Reach for the Sky" was designed, developed and targeted toward individuals young and old, male or female, who have an interest in learning to fly but haven't yet pursued that interest. I think you'll still find the e-newsletter content interesting and informative.

Q. Does being a girl make a difference with some flight schools and instructors? Are there any suggestions a girl would find useful to get into this field? Is AeroScholars a good idea for high school students to take if they are interested in this field? Are there any disadvantages from taking this course?
A. Being a girl and taking flight training should make NO difference, regardless of where you do the training. I personally like to train and fly with female students because they are usually better pilots than the males. If you plan on attending EAA AirVenture 2008, make a concerted effort to visit the various university flight school exhibits. I think you'll find each of them to be quite helpful and informative.

The AeroScholars program offered by EAA is an excellent program and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is self-motivated and has a keen interest in aviation.

Q. My son is now twelve and eager to try and learn how to fly. He has already gone up on one Young Eagle flight. I would consider lessons for him but do not know how to gauge the quality of flight schools. He is not interested in the Civil Air Patrol, and I am trying to figure out how to get him more opportunities to gain knowledge that would ultimately help him learn to fly.
A. I think it’s wonderful that your 12-year old son has a keen interest in flying. Where are you located? I’d like to help you and your son connect with an EAA mentor and locate a flight school near you that will meet your needs.

I have been giving instruction for over 30 years and have worked with a number of 12-year olds. Because they cannot solo an airplane until their 16th birthday, I usually set them up on a more relaxed schedule, flying 2-4 times per month. I find that most 12-year olds adapt very well and are quite capable of flying solo well before turning 16. I don’t want the young student to get bored, so I just slow down the progress.

Another option might be glider flight training. Once we know where you are located we might be able to put you in contact with a local glider flight operation. Your son could solo at age 14 and get his private pilot glider rating at 16.

Q. Should I have any ground school training completed before I start lessons in the air?
A. Having some ground school completed before beginning your flying lessons will help but it is not necessary to have the ground school completed before flying. One thing I will caution you on though, it is sometimes very easy to put off the ground school until after you begin flying. Then, all of a sudden, it seems you are well into completing your flight training but haven’t yet studied and taken the written test. Now you’re playing catch up. Ideally, you would want to be taking flight lessons while working on the ground school.

Q. Are there any online “ground schools” available for Sport Pilot students? If so, may I have the web site addresses?
A. Currently, I am unaware of any online ground schools. However, the next best thing would be the ground school DVD sets available from several different sources (i.e. Sporty’s Pilot Shop). You can study at your own speed. Each segment runs about 15-20 minutes with Q & A at the end. The DVDs are interactive should you answer a question incorrectly.

Q. I hold a private pilot certificate but haven't flown in a number of years. Can I become a sport pilot without a written test and FAA checkride?
A. Your private pilot certificate never expires. So unless the FAA has rescinded it for some previous Federal Aviation Regulation violation, you are still considered a licensed pilot. If you've never been denied a 3rd Class Medical certificate when you were flying, but it has expired, you can fly as a sport pilot provided you hold a valid driver's license and fly according to all sport pilot rules and regulations. Before you would be legal and safe though, several hours of dual instruction followed by a Biennial Flight Review would be required. A Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI) or a sport pilot instructor can administer this. You will not need to re-take a written test or an FAA checkride.

Q. I'm interested in becoming a sport pilot. How long does it take to solo?
A. The number of flight hours before solo depends on several things. How often you fly? How quickly do you become adept at safely handling the airplane? What are the wind conditions you're experiencing while training? At what type of airport are you training? If you schedule and fly 2-3 times per week, are reasonably well coordinated, the wind is not a factor, and you're flying at a non-towered, not-so-busy airport, you can expect to solo in 9-12 hours. When flying only once each week or flying at a busy airport, it will probably take 1-3 additional hours.

Q. Can I take lessons in a non-light sport aircraft, such as a Cessna 152, and log those hours toward the required sport pilot training?
A. Yes, the flight training you may have taken in non-LSA can be counted toward meeting the requirements for the sport pilot certificate, depending on what was accomplished during that training. You must take a sport pilot written exam, be current in an LSA, and do your checkride in an LSA.

Q. I’m interested in flying. How long does it take to earn a Sport Pilot license?
A. The time it takes to earn the Sport Pilot license is dependent upon how often you’re able to fly. If your work/school schedule permits you to fly two or three times per week, you can complete the flight training in about two and one-half months.

Q. If I obtain a Sport Pilot license can I fly anywhere in the United States?
A. There are two answers to this question. With a Sport Pilot license you can fly in any Class E or G airspace within the United States. If you want or need to fly in Class B, C, or D airspace (airspace with control towers), you will need additional instruction and a logbook endorsement from your flight instructor before flying in Class B, C, and D airspace.

Q. Can I take a passenger with me once I have a Sport Pilot license?
A. Yes you can, but the Sport Pilot license limits your flight to aircraft with only two seats, one for you and one for a passenger.