Thread: Jumping in with both feet

My dad was an avid pilot (Cessna 206, then a 182, then a Baron) and I spent a lot of my youth flying across country with him. While he was alive I never gave a thought to learning how to fly (he was a great pilot, training all the time, but the front left seat never seemed big enough for both of us). He died suddenly two years ago, and since then I've been almost obsessed with, at last, learning how to fly. I don't see myself ever getting into it to the degree he was, so the LSA route seems appealing. I know what flying is about, and I think I'd get a big kick out of learning and owning a small plane that I could use for mostly local stuff here in Central, VA...perhaps helping my kids learn as well. I might add that I now have some time to devote to learning following a recent job change (a lot less travel than before) and I have a few bucks in the bank to throw at both learning, and perhaps at a plane.

So now the question is what to do next. The local airport has a flight school, but when I went to meet with the guys about a year ago I was underwhelmed. On the other hand, it's real close to home and the field has a tower (which I think is an advantage). They will do the LSA license, using an Evektor Sportstar. I have no idea about the pluses and minuses of this plane, but just by virtue of being a low wing aircraft, I'm guessing it's a lot different plan than the CTLS. So what happens if I learn on an Evektor, but sometime down the road (and I'm not getting any younger, nor are my kids, so it could be soon) I decide that I want to own an LSA, and the CTLS is the way to go. I guess what I'm asking is whether it would make sense to try to learn on this plane (I'm clearly early in picking my plane of choice, but I think I'm asking a CTLS-friendly crowd) by searching for another flight school, or to stay local and learn on the Evektor.

Any other thoughts on moving forward here would be welcome. I know I'm jumping in quick here, but I do have some sense for the joys, challenges, and concerns inherent in flying, and I just have to do this! And the CTLS looks just perfect for what I have in mind (that BRS will get my wife on board!).

Thanks.

My first 30 hours were in a Sportstar and it is a wonderful plane. It's more forgiving than a CTSW (I have no experience with a CTLS), easier to land, easier to keep coordinated. I would have bought a Sportstar if it's performance were in the same class as a CTSW. The real question is whether or not you want to buy an airplane now to save on training expenses. If so, go for the CTLS. If you have any doubt, train in the Sportstar, get your ticket then buy a CTLS.

The Sportstar is a better trainer. I think the CTs are better airplanes to buy. Higher performance, but you'll appreciate it. Biggest reason to buy the Sport Star is if you really want a bubble canopy.

Your idea of learning in the SportStar is a good one. Get out there and fly!

Doug

Thanks for the replies.

So what's the transition strategy if you learn in a SportStar and then move over to a CTLS? Will the instructor I work with in the SportStar be able to work me into a CTLS, even if he hasn't flown one before? Or would you have to search out a CTLS guy?

One more: if the money for the full certificate isn't an issue, why else (other than perhaps time) do just the LSA, rather than full private pilot certificate? My dad was seriously into flying; I don't see myself devoting quite as much time, so the limitations of the LSA appeal to me (limited in ability to push the envelope), as does the opportunity to own a new piece of equipment for less than the cost of a nice house. On the other hand, I understand the risks inherent in flying, and I find the idea of doing less than what's available in the way of training a bit unsettling. So...PP certificate, but fly an LSA?

Oh...one more. Are there many 16-17 year olds flying LSAs? All three of my kids (16, 14, 12) are chomping at the bit.

Thanks again.

Thanks for the replies.

So what's the transition strategy if you learn in a SportStar and then move over to a CTLS? Will the instructor I work with in the SportStar be able to work me into a CTLS, even if he hasn't flown one before? Or would you have to search out a CTLS guy?

One more: if the money for the full certificate isn't an issue, why else (other than perhaps time) do just the LSA, rather than full private pilot certificate? My dad was seriously into flying; I don't see myself devoting quite as much time, so the limitations of the LSA appeal to me (limited in ability to push the envelope), as does the opportunity to own a new piece of equipment for less than the cost of a nice house. On the other hand, I understand the risks inherent in flying, and I find the idea of doing less than what's available in the way of training a bit unsettling. So...PP certificate, but fly an LSA?

Oh...one more. Are there many 16-17 year olds flying LSAs? All three of my kids (16, 14, 12) are chomping at the bit.

Thanks again.

Thanks for the replies.

So what's the transition strategy if you learn in a SportStar and then move over to a CTLS? Will the instructor I work with in the SportStar be able to work me into a CTLS, even if he hasn't flown one before? Or would you have to search out a CTLS guy?

One more: if the money for the full certificate isn't an issue, why else (other than perhaps time) do just the LSA, rather than full private pilot certificate? My dad was seriously into flying; I don't see myself devoting quite as much time, so the limitations of the LSA appeal to me (limited in ability to push the envelope), as does the opportunity to own a new piece of equipment for less than the cost of a nice house. On the other hand, I understand the risks inherent in flying, and I find the idea of doing less than what's available in the way of training a bit unsettling. So...PP certificate, but fly an LSA?

Oh...one more. Are there many 16-17 year olds flying LSAs? All three of my kids (16, 14, 12) are chomping at the bit.

Thanks again.

Originally Posted by msa6

Thanks for the replies.

So what's the transition strategy if you learn in a SportStar and then move over to a CTLS? Will the instructor I work with in the SportStar be able to work me into a CTLS, even if he hasn't flown one before? Or would you have to search out a CTLS guy?

One more: if the money for the full certificate isn't an issue, why else (other than perhaps time) do just the LSA, rather than full private pilot certificate? My dad was seriously into flying; I don't see myself devoting quite as much time, so the limitations of the LSA appeal to me (limited in ability to push the envelope), as does the opportunity to own a new piece of equipment for less than the cost of a nice house. On the other hand, I understand the risks inherent in flying, and I find the idea of doing less than what's available in the way of training a bit unsettling. So...PP certificate, but fly an LSA?

Oh...one more. Are there many 16-17 year olds flying LSAs? All three of my kids (16, 14, 12) are chomping at the bit.

Thanks again.

My takes:

#1 - I'd stay with the Sport Star through your checkride. It's hard to switch horses midstream as a student. Once you get your checkride done and have a feel for the sportstar, try the CT with an instructor. If you like it, buy one. Another reason to stick with a rented airplane while training is because, well, accidents happen, and you'd rather have one in a rented airplane than yours. I highly recommend renters insurance through AOPA or EAA, it could save you Big Bucks.

You'll want to find an instructor who has experience in the CT. They don't fly quite the same as 172s, particularly when landing. I don't know of any in your area, but there should be plenty around your area. If not, post to the board and someone will get you hooked up.

This also allows you to compare the CT and SportStar. They are both good airplanes and have their pluses and minuses. We all like the CT, but I also like the SportStar. In particular, I like the visibility afforded by the canopy, highly effective flaps, good control harmony and docile landings. Downsides are low useful load (newest versions have solved this problem), touchy directional control on the runway, and only modest speed for a LSA.

#2 - I see SP as a way to try flying to see if (1) you like it and (2) you're any good at it. Start simple with Day VFR-only aircraft and go from there. If, in a year, you still like it and want to get rid of limitations like day VFR only, then get your private. You won't need that much extra instruction, but for a low-time pilot, getting your private in a year will be like having an extended flight review - it will allow you to focus on keeping your goog habits and kicking your bad ones.

#3 - Consider getting your kids - all of them - into gliders. Kids can solo at 14 and take their checkride at 16. Gilders take teamwork to get them in the air and have a forced delayed gratification that might teach your kids good non-flying lessons and skills as well. We involve kids in our club and they can trade work hours for flight time.

Doug

the sportstar and the ct have similarities, all slsa are similar in that they are very light weight, tend to be short coupled and rudder dominent, light wing loading, light control forces etc.

with less mass and therefore less kinetic energy, energy management is a bigger issue in slsa. in general they are a bit harder to learn to fly well and to land. the ct's are more demanding then most other slsa.

if you bought a ct now and trained in it, as long as you had a good instructer that was proficcient in the ct i would expect everything to work out well.

if you trained in the sportstar until a ct was available i would expect that to work out well too. certainly it is harder for a student to transition but it isn't that big a deal. it likely would only through you for a couple of hours.

its all good. with 3 kids champing at the bit you might be short on seats from time to time.

Not sure where you are in VA but have you checked out Chesapeake Sport Pilot www.chesapeakesportpilot.com The pretty much specialize in Sport Pilot training.

The neat thing about a PP ticket is being able to fly at night if your CT is so equipped.