Sport Pilot inconsistency

Cub Driver wrote in message . ..
On 4 Sep 2004 20:58:05 -0700, (Captain Wubba)
wrote:

The flying that was done did not require a plane weighing more than
1320 lbs. It was VFR day flight with none or one passenger.

It's still a very different kind of flying, if you are in a heavy
plane with a powerful engine, an adjustable-pitch propeller, and
retractable landing gear.

Absolutely. But I know plenty of PP-ASELs who ahev (literally) never
flown anything bigger than a Cessna 172. We had club members who
*owned* their share of a Cessna 206, but chose not to fly it. Plenty
of highly skilled PP-ASELs only want to fly what they want to fly. And
these people are wonderful candidates for operating sport planes.


This is precisely the notion that the Recreational Pilot cert was
supposed to address, years ago. I can't fly any of those things (250
hp, constant speed prop, retractable gear), or at night, or (until
Monday) in ATC airspace. My opportunities for getting into mischief
are much less than they would be if I had a Private Pilot cert.

With Sport Pilot rules, one has even fewer opportunities, thus more
latitude in who can fly.


Actually, the Sport Pilot has more privileges in many ways...unlimited
cross country flight (with one-time logbook endorsement), able to talk
to ATC (with endorsement). Still plenty of mischief to be had. And the
20 hours FAA minimum sems awfully low to me, as a CFI.

At the same time, the FAA has brought scads of ultra-lighters into the
certification system, presumably making them a bit safer, and making
them susceptible to disciplinary action.




all the best -- Dan Ford
email: (put Cubdriver in subject line)

The Warbird's Forum www.warbirdforum.com
Expedition sailboat charters www.expeditionsail.com

Cheers,

Cap