Hi Norm, I Have a Question

 By:                   Norm Goyer

             The following questions were compiled from readers’ emails, Facebook comments and blogs. We picked out the queries we believed would have the most interest. NG

Hi Norm, My Dad has a Cirrus SR-22 which he uses for business and personal travel. I just graduated from High School this year and am now 18 years old. Is it possible to learn to fly in a complex aircraft such as this Cirrus with a glass cockpit and its high powered engine? Or should I learn in a C-172 or a Piper Warrior at the local airport?

Ed, via Facebook, Hadley, Massachusetts

Ed, absolutely! The military flying schools have taught flying using both methods, starting off in smaller Cessna 172-type aircraft and in new Diamond DA20s. They also taught primary flying in Texans and T-28s.  Some students even learned in small two-passenger jet trainers. They found it to be a trade off. The smaller aircraft did serve very well, weeding out those without pilot potential. A few years ago, I sold my Cessna 195 to a fellow RC model aircraft builder who was a heavy-duty equipment operator. He had no flight experience other than RC flying. He soloed the 195 in about 25 hours, and went on to fly it for over a 1,000 trouble-free hours. Remember, the 195 is not an easy plane in which to learn to fly, or even to fly, even if you are an experienced pilot. It is necessary to find an instructor who is insured to fly in this type of aircraft and is very familiar with the Cirrus. You also might have a problem with your dad’s insurance carrier, who may not want to cover your flight training, or, it could cost your dad addition premiums. If you are going to eventually fly CR22s, learning to fly in one does make sense. However, it will take you longer to solo,  and to learn the complex systems. Personally, I think this is a great idea. NG

Many new pilots received their licenses flying the Cirrus SR22. It is expected to  take a few hours more to learn the glass panel systems and to handle the higher-horsepower engine

 Norm, should I buy an LSA (Light Sport Aircraft) learn to fly it, and then use if for personal transportation? The Sport Pilot Certificate looks easier and quicker to complete than that for the Private Certificate? Bryan, via email, Amherst, NY.

Bryan, I would advise you to go very slowly with this idea. It sounds good, but, there are some “sand traps” on this course. Insurance firms report that the accident rate is quite high on LSAs being flown by Sport Pilot certified pilots. These airplanes are quite light, and some are definitely “slippery” when it comes to landing. Others are easy to fly and one these will make a good trainer. But, do you want to fly around “forever” in a two-place trainer? I wouldn’t. It is also reported that the highest usage of the Sport Pilot privileges are by older private and commercial pilots who no longer want to take a physical and are happy to retain their flying, even though it means shorter trips and fewer passengers. Of course, you can only fly aircraft that are LSA-legal. Currently, all you need to fly an LSA certified aircraft is a current driver’s license from any state, and be in good health. If you have been turned down for a medical for any reason, you are not eligible to fly an LSA. Learning to fly at a flight school using standard certified and FAA CFII instructors is okay because any flight time logged (this is a recent change in FAA policy) is applicable to higher certificates. In other words, you can switch to the Private or Commercial Certificate course by simply obtaining a Second or Third Class FAA medical. Cessna is moving ahead with their own LSA, which appears to be a smaller, more modern C-152. This program and this aircraft could turn the whole LSA program around. Currently LSAs are not taken too seriously by many in the aviation industry.

Flight Star based in Connecticut, flew this electric powered ultralight at AirVenture this year. There should be more electric- powered LSAs available in a few years. Electric power has many advantages.

      Norm, I am an outdoor-type person and have no desire to become a military, business or airline pilot; all I want to do is be able to fly off the water at our family’s summer home in up state New York. I love off-road motorcycles, jet skis and wind surfing.

      Ron, via email, Erieville, NY

       Ron, my favorite plane of all time is a small ultralight on Full Lotus fabric, inflatable floats. I particularly like the Flight Star or the Drifter; and of course there are many others that are equally fun to fly. I can fly any aircraft I desire, but I happen to love ultralight seaplanes. With the advent of LSA programs, the FAA is monitoring the ultralight industry and enforcing the rules. The current rules eliminate the use of two-passenger ultralights for private use. There are some exceptions, but basically a modern ultralight will be a single passenger. Some, such as the Flight Star, are still being manufactured,. Be super careful about buying a used ultralight unless it is of current manufacture and is being used regularly. Real bargains stored in a barn are only good for the scrap heap in my opinion. Two-stroke engines do not store well; sail cloth fabric rots with age and the cheap steel fittings rust out. Don’t go there! Join the Ultralight Association and learn all about their programs before exchanging money. Ultralights are super fun, very inexpensive, and are more like an off-road bike than a BMW touring motorcycle. If you’ve got the bucks, buy new, and learn from a Ultralight Certified flight instructor. Ultralights are not toys.

A Flight Star, on Full Lotus floats, makes an ideal small seaplane for use at one’s summer waterfront home.

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