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Thread: Reality check for a (somewhat) noob

  1. #1

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    Default Reality check for a (somewhat) noob

    They say a "mid-life crisis" is really just the realization that the Universe is telling you that you DO have an "expiration date" and that it isn't screwing around, so you better get a move on towards those lifelong dreams.

    Since I graduated high school back in the mid-80's I've had two loves; (1) old British cars (MG's Triumphs, Jaguars) and (2) I always wanted an Avid or a Kitfox. Right as I graduated college back in '89 I got married, but was able to convince the wife to help me go back to school and got my A&P at ERAU (Daytona Beach campus), but only got about 30 hours flight training before life and bills ended my flying. Then the downturn in the aviation industry in '92 forced a career change. Got my "aviation fix" by semi-annual pilgrimages to Sun & Fun or OSH as funds and schedule allowed, and kept my wrenching skills up by restoring old British cars as a hobby and working as a volunteer restoration technician at the National Air & Space Museum for a while.

    So here I am nearly 28 years later, kids now grown, got a garage full of British cars but I'm still wanting that Kitfox, so I have a few questions I'd like your opinions on.

    1) Private Pilot or Sport? In the DC/MD/VA area, can you really do anything with a sport pilot license?

    2) Do many owners build their Kitfoxes and then use it for their flight training, or get training, rent as needed to build time and then build their Kitfoxes?

    I've got a million other questions but figured I'd start easy. ;^)

  2. #2
    Senior Member jiott's Avatar
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    Default Re: Reality check for a (somewhat) noob

    I fly with a Sport Pilot ticket and am happy with it. You can go into any airspace (providing you have the endorsements) with it except class A. The only things you cannot do with it:

    -Fly at night
    -Fly above cloud layers where you have no reference to the ground.
    -Fly in IFR conditions (VFR or MVFR is ok)
    -Fly above 10,000'
    -Can only fly "Light Sport" aircraft
    -Fly in less than 3 mile visibility
    -Canada does not recognize it, so no flying in Canada
    Jim Ott
    Portland, OR
    Kitfox SS7 flying
    Rotax 912ULS

  3. #3
    Senior Member jiott's Avatar
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    Default Re: Reality check for a (somewhat) noob

    Its pretty tough to build a Kitfox and then get flight training in it. Before you can train in it someone (not you) has to fly off the 40 hours Phase I test.
    Jim Ott
    Portland, OR
    Kitfox SS7 flying
    Rotax 912ULS

  4. #4
    Senior Member aviator79's Avatar
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    Default Re: Reality check for a (somewhat) noob

    If you can qualify for a Private, I'd say get a Private. As a Private Pilot, you can fly under Sport Pilot privileges/limitations if you choose, so you don't give anything up by getting a Private certificate, except paying for a little bit more training.

    As Jim points out, it's not really practical to get training in the airplane you build unless you know someone who's willing to do your phase I flight testing for you. You can get your Sport or Private training anywhere, and then get some Kitfox-specific transition with Stick and Rudder in Idaho when you finish your build.

    This forum has an enormous amount of information for you, so browse, search, and ask. You'll find this group to be a friendly and helpful bunch.
    --Brian
    Flying - S7SS

  5. #5
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    Default Re: Reality check for a (somewhat) noob

    A friend of mine built an Avid while taking lessons for sport pilot in a Champ. Once he was cleared to solo, the instructor signed him off to solo in the Avid. It did save him something in aircraft rental that way. Was it legal? I'm not sure, but I know it happened. Eventually, he did the flight test for sport pilot in the Champ. JImChuk

  6. #6
    Senior Member efwd's Avatar
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    Default Re: Reality check for a (somewhat) noob

    Some people have big ba... or no brain, maybe both. I have a commercial with instrument rating. Just got my tailwheel endorsement and currency ride done. I still contemplate having someone else do my first flight. Who feels bold enough to get soloed and then go fly their brand new airplane for the first flight before rated? Man. I met a guy here by me who built his plane, then him and his flight instructor flew the first flight together. He is getting his private pilot license in his airplane before its finished phase one. Not legal. Its his butt I suppose but it doesnt reflect well on the experimental community if he balls it up and the FAA discovers that people take advantage of the privilege to build and fly our own stuff.
    Eddie

  7. #7

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    Default Re: Reality check for a (somewhat) noob

    Thanks guys, I forgot about the issues around the 40 hour flight requirement on new builds and I'm definitely keeping it legal. I'm applying for my medical (shouldn't have any problems there) then proceeding with checking out training options in my area. My goal is private single engine with IFR and then get some taildragger time out in ID. Plan, prep and proceed....

    -David

  8. #8
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    Default Re: Reality check for a (somewhat) noob

    I should have clarified a little more about my friend. He wasn't a complete newbe to flying. He had built and flew ultralight gyrocopters before for quite a while. That may also explain why he walked slightly bow legged.... ;-) I wouldn't fly one of those things ever. JImChuk

  9. #9
    Senior Member aviator79's Avatar
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    Default Re: Reality check for a (somewhat) noob

    Quote Originally Posted by avidflyer View Post
    A friend of mine built an Avid while taking lessons for sport pilot in a Champ. Once he was cleared to solo, the instructor signed him off to solo in the Avid. It did save him something in aircraft rental that way. Was it legal? I'm not sure, but I know it happened. Eventually, he did the flight test for sport pilot in the Champ. JImChuk
    Interestingly it's sort of legal for the instructor to make that sign-off. You're allowed to sign someone off to fly solo as long as you gave him the required instruction in a similar make and model. While I don't believe there are many grey areas in the regulations, what constitutes similar certainly seems to be one. I would bet that if there were an incident, the ruling on the field would be that the aircraft were not similar enough.

    I also (shockingly) cannot find anything either in the regulations or standard operating limitations that would prohibit a student pilot from flying an E-AB solo during phase 1.

    So as near as I can tell, this arrangement is probably legal at least until there's an incident. I will say that as an instructor, I wouldn't make this endorsement myself.
    --Brian
    Flying - S7SS

  10. #10
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    Default Re: Reality check for a (somewhat) noob

    We must think alike. Both about the same age, an MGB and a mod IV both being SLOWLY restored.
    jay

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