new 'Sport Pilot' rule

[Octavius]

Just read an article in the paper about a 67 year old ultralight instructor.  The article mentioned a new "sport pilot" certificate for light aircraft are taking effect on September 1st.  Basically it's making introduction to flight a helluva lot easier.  The total cost and amount of hours required are just about halved.  For those of us who have nil experience in real aviation aside from Aces High and other flight sims, this is awesome news.  I can see myself getting into this.

http://www.sportpilot.org

Gonna check it out and get a shiatload more info when I head to Oshkosh this Saturday.

rock on

[CyranoAH]

I believe that's good news for aviation, but I fear that reducing instruction hours can result in an increase of accidents...

Time will tell.

Daniel

[mora]

Most of the casualties in accidents happen to the occupants in the aircraft involved. I don't care if they kill themselves but a passenger rating like in gliders could be usefull.

[X2Lee]

Originally posted by mora
Most of the casualties in accidents happen to the occupants in the aircraft involved. I don't care if they kill themselves but a passenger rating like in gliders could be usefull.

Maybe I am misunderstanding(no time this morn to read the link)

but you were not required to have a licence to operate ultra lights and such before

sounds like more regulation not less....

[CyranoAH]

Ah I see, a sensible precaution then. There's already a license for UltraLight Aircraft here in Spain (and in most of Europe if I'm not mistaken).

I believe France has a third rating that falls between ULM rating and PPL, but I'm sure our french posters will confirm that point.

Daniel

[Dago]

Just what we need, a bunch of half trained pilots flying around to dodge.


dago

[straffo]

Originally posted by CyranoAH
Ah I see, a sensible precaution then. There's already a license for UltraLight Aircraft here in Spain (and in most of Europe if I'm not mistaken).

I believe France has a third rating that falls between ULM rating and PPL, but I'm sure our french posters will confirm that point.

Daniel

I'm not sure , the only thing I know for sure is there is different theoric for ULM and with a valid PPL you can have the ULM licence.

But well I'm not good concerning regulations

[mars01]

FAA UNVEILS SPORT PILOT RULE
FAA Administrator Marion Blakey on Tuesday released the Sport Pilot and Light-Sport Aircraft rule in an effort to enhance the fun of aviation, help shatter cost barriers, and allow already certificated pilots to fly once again using a driver's license in lieu of a medical certificate.

When it goes into effect on September 1, it will introduce a new level of pilot certificate and category of low-performance aircraft with takeoff weights of up to 1,320 pounds and maximum airspeeds of 120 knots.

While it could take some time for the industry to fully gear up to produce new airplanes and the FAA to train pilot examiners and draft written tests, the really good news for many AOPA members is that they can be back in the air in a matter of weeks, thanks in large part to AOPA's efforts.

"It was important to AOPA that our members who love and support general aviation, but no longer have a current medical, be able to fly again," said AOPA President Phil Boyer.

"That's why we asked the FAA to make the rule effective quickly, and they responded." For more information and to read a story about an 83-year-old pilot who will be taking full advantage of the initiative,

[slimm50]

Originally posted by Dago
Just what we need, a bunch of half trained pilots flying around to dodge.


dago

"Dodge"? No no no, think "target-rich environment".

[Dago]

It's only "target rich" when you get to shoot at them, it's another story when bozos are doing things like entering a pattern any old way they choose, without bothering to make them pesky radio calls.

And lets not forget extending your downwind say about 3 miles away from the airport before turning base, just to see how bad they can screw up a traffic pattern.

And that is with fully qualified PPLs.  

Lets also  not forget about the fighter pilot wannabees zipping around in yellow homebuilts,  Lord, they are scariest of all!




dago

[CyranoAH]

Or doing aerobatics in airplanes that were not designed to do so... couple of deaths around here lately due to that...

Daniel

[SunTracker]

AIRPLANES ARE NOTHING MORE THAN A TUBE WITH WINGS.  THATS ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW.

Actually, its the gung-ho civilian pilots who think they are so experienced that get themselves killed.  My pops was in the airforce auxillary and searched for crashed civilian planes.  He said many planes would simply fly into mountains at night.

[CyranoAH]

SunTracker, the problem is that some people who fly ultralight aircraft think they are more than prepared for anything AND that the sky belongs to them.

Had a couple of scares because of a ULM flying at non-authorized altitude IN a CTR (Almost bordering the ATZ). Of course, he didn't have a trasponder nor a radio.

It obviously comes with the pilot, but the perspective of losing one's license if he does something terribly wrong is a good deterrent. Result? Less daredevil PPLs. At least here.

Daniel

[LLv34 Jarsci]

Originally posted by Dago
It's only "target rich" when you get to shoot at them, it's another story when bozos are doing things like entering a pattern any old way they choose, without bothering to make them pesky radio calls.

And lets not forget extending your downwind say about 3 miles away from the airport before turning base, just to see how bad they can screw up a traffic pattern.

And that is with fully qualified PPLs.  

Lets also  not forget about the fighter pilot wannabees zipping around in yellow homebuilts,  Lord, they are scariest of all!




dago

Dago, you´re ATC right? Sounds so familiar ...

[Dago]

Nope, just a guy who flies from time to time.


dago