Sport Pilot Training

Becoming a pilot takes time, effort, and commitment.  That has always been the case.  But with Sport Pilot the time, effort, and commitment is only half of what it used to be (a minimum of 20 hours of flight training versus 40 for Private Pilot).

But can you call learning to fly "work"?  How can something so fun be work? Here at Precision Windsports we work hard to make sure the training is fun too.  After all, flying trikes is a recreational activity -- the training should be recreational too. So don't let the requirements discourage you.  Just take them one step at a time and have fun.

Remember you are a real pilot when you get your solo endorsement, which can come in as little as a week.  As a solo/student pilot you are pilot in command of your own aircraft -- you are flying!

Priveleges of a Sport Pilot

• You can Light Sport Weight-Shift aircraft (trikes) by yourself or with a friend.
• You can share expenses with your passenger.
• You can fly during day (including 30 minutes before sunrise and 30 minutes after sunset) provided you can see at least 3 miles and stay clear of the clouds
• You can fly up to 10,000 feet

Requirements

To become a Sport Pilot the FAA requires you:

• Be 17 or older
• Hold a valid US driver's license or FAA 3rd Class Medical certificate
• Have a minimum of 15 hours of dual flight instruction
• Have a minimum of 5 hours of solo flight instructions (you must have your own aircraft for this portion of your training).
• Complete a solo cross country trip of at least 50 miles (this requirement is so much fun to satisfy :-).
• Pass a written knowledge test
• Pass a practical test/checkride (oral test followed by flight test)

Typical Student

The typical student takes the following path to his or her Sport Pilot certificate:

• Comes to Lynchburg for 3-5 days of training.  By the end of 5 days you should be at or very close to solo qualification.
• Orders his trike.  Precision Windsports assembles and registers the plane and readies it for the students next visit.
• Student returns to Lynchburg for 3 days to:
  • Finish training in his plane and get his solo endorsement.  This allows him to fly on his own.
  • Takes the FAA knowledge exam (written test).
• Student returns home with his trike and continues flying on his own (this is the really fun part) and preparing for his practical test.
• Student either returns to Lynchburg for the practical test or makes arrangements with a local examiner.

Already a Pilot?

If your are already a pilot you can get your trike (weight-shift) Sport Pilot endorsement in a single trip.  For you the requirements look like this:

• See two instructors (we have three here in Lynchburg)
• First instructor trains you.  There are no minimum number of hours and no solo requirements.
• Second Instructor gives you the practical test.  You do not have to take the FAA knowledge test.

We have had pilots complete the requirements for the Sport Pilot weight-shift endorsement in 7 days.  The average GA pilot requires 10-15 hours to complete the training and the proficiency flight.  For more information on GA transition to Sport Pilot check out the article our article "GA Transtion to Trikes."

Syllabus

Phase One -- Basic Airwork

• Level flight and shallow turns
• Altitude control and steep turns
• Normal takeoffs, climbs, and descents

Phase Two -- Advanced Airwork

• Airspeed Control and Stalls
• Ground reference maneuvers

Phase Three -- Landing

• Stabilized approaches, airport operations, and normal landings
• Takeoffs and landings in crosswind and turbulence
• Emergency procedures

Phase Four -- Cross Country

• Dual cross country trip

Phase Four -- Solo*

• First solo flight here at Lynchburg
• Solo flying at home airport in preparation for practical test
• Solo cross country trip

Ground School

• Self-study using King Schools computer-based ground school.  Additional resources are available here ...
• Topics covered during flight training:
  • Flight preparation
    • Weather and pre-flight information gathering
    • Aircraft pre-flight
  • Sectional charts and cross country flight planning
  • Radio procedures
  • Aircraft assembly/disassembly, tie-down, and storage
  • Examinations
    • Pre-solo
    • Practical test prep

*Note -- to solo student must have his/her own aircraft.