Eliacim - Thanks for your kind words. I still carry a Commercial certificate, rated for airplanes, single and multi engine, helicopters, and gliders. I also keep my CFII, instruments, single and multi engine up to date.
Of course, now all I can fly as PIC is either an LSA or a glider. I'll read the NPRM also - I'm curious about what cross country changes they made for students seeking a SP certificate. I think requirement category and class ratings, and getting additional ratings from a DPE is a good idea. Jerry -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of heavensounds Sent: Sunday, April 13, 2008 4:04 PM To: Jerry Eichenberger Cc: [email protected] Subject: Re: [ercoupe-tech] FAA making changes to Sport Pilot and LSA rules Jerry I just printed the 80 pages of the NPRM and read it top to bottom. As far as I can see, you are safe. They are not touching that. I am happy for you all. I can't imagine the grief and loss a PP gets when his / her medical is denied. I would go crazy. Best regards Eliacim ----- Original Message ----- From: Jerry Eichenberger To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ; Percy Cc: [email protected] Sent: Sunday, April 13, 2008 3:01 PM Subject: RE: [ercoupe-tech] FAA making changes to Sport Pilot and LSA rules Is there a link somewhere to the EAA article. Any changes coming to restrict those of us who let our medicals just lapse rather than trying for a special issuance? Jerry E. -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, April 13, 2008 3:38 PM To: Percy Cc: [email protected] Subject: Re: [ercoupe-tech] FAA making changes to Sport Pilot and LSA rules Percy, Its not funny, its pathetic. I am a sport pilot because all that I want to do is fly daytime VFR with my wife, not because of any physical disability. I own an Ercoupe that I have completely restored under the eye of an AP/AI. I have gone over every inch of that plane in the last eleven months, and know all there is to know about a 1946 Ercoupe. BUT.... becuase I am a sport pilot and not a private or recreational, I cannot even legally change the oil in my plane. What sense does that make? Does a private pilot (most of whom rent planes) get some type of specialized training in airplane maintenance that sport pilots do not get? NO, they don't. Further, if I owned a brand new 100,000 dollar sport plane that is WAY MORE complex than the Ercoupe I could take a short class, and I would be allowed to do just about any maintenance or repair to the plane. The rule lmakes no sense and it really (obivously) ticks me off. Funny? No. Unfortunaetly this rule will not change until there are more true sport pilots out there (not private flying as sport) and enough people raise their voices. Private pilots couldn't care less about the rule or whether it is fair or not, unless its something that affects THEM. One thing that other 415C, Luscombe, Piper Cub and Aeronca owners need to think about is who is the potential buyer of their light sport eligible plane? Franlky, knowing what I now know about this rule, I probably would have opted for a new LSA or a kit. I would save a small fortune in repairs and annuals. JMHO. Fred ---- Percy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: ============= Replacing the "10,000-foot MSL" limit for sport pilots with "10,000 MSL or 2,000 above ground level (AGL), whichever is higher." Hot Sox! The Lid's off!! I hit over 11,000 in my `coupe just going part way across the state. Percy in NM, USA (home field elevation 3,666) Regarding taking care of your Classic Sport Pilot Aircraft (like the Ercoupe). It is another anomaiy in the regs. Preventive maintenance can be done by a Private Pilot or higher to a Certificated Aircraft. Sport pilot is out, unless you built the plane then you get the repairmans certificate for that particular airframe only. Most Sport Pilots now are transitioning from Private Pilots and greater. Just because they FLY under Sport Pilot, they can FIX their plane under Private Pilot. Funny, I know... :-)
