Go Flying!

Light Sport Aircraft fly at Chesapeake Sport Pilot on Chesapeake Bay at Bay Bridge Airport, Maryland. The man giving the thumbs up had just soloed for the first time! His proud instructor is to the left.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• learn to fly
• chesapeake sport pilot
• sport pilot
• Tecnam
• flying
• light sport aircraft
• aircraft
• flying lessons
• Bay Bridge Airport
• LSA
• small airplanes
• flight school
• AOPA video
• AOPA Pilot
• Al Marsh
• Alton K. Marsh
• Alton Marsh

[airste172]

Most LSAs being produced right now do use the Rotax. The classics such as Ercoup, Taylorcraft, Aeronca, Piper Cub, etc. do fall into the new LS category, but they are certificated aircraft and meet standards that do not apply to the current crop of overpriced shortcuts to the sky powered by "cement mixer" engines.

Although I may not be an authority on the subject, be assured, I do have a clue. ;)

[altonmarsh]

You are correct that most LSAs use the Rotax. Already noted is SkyCatcher with the Continental, which I have flown. Jabiru is another engine getting good comments and is used in some LSAs, like, well, the Jabiru and others.

[altonmarsh]

Thanks UPS463. I understand what you mean. I know that analog instruments may be easier to learn, while a glass cockpit can be like learning a sophisticated software program.

[airste172]

Aha! Seems like we've reached a point of agreement! LOL

I don't have any personal experience with the Jabiru, but I too have heard good things about that engine. It also seems to have a nice, reassuring, business-like tone as I've noticed in some videos.

There are bound to be some gems out of the pile of tin now hitting the markets, but time will tell. ;)

[AceLockCo]

Why do you automatically assume that the LSA has to be new? How about an Aeronca champ, which cost about $25k?? You are not being realistic or you don't fully understand what LSA is.

I understand what you were trying to say about Rotax, and now I know you are just misinformed. You assume that all LSA's use Rotax engines, when nothing could be further from the truth.

Maybe you need to do some research before you open your mouth. You obviously don't have a clue on what you are talking about.

[airste172]

I never realized that people who wanted to get into the air (that were not previously able due to costs) always demand new aircraft to get into the air with. It is only in comparison to BRAND NEW GA aircraft that an LSA shows any cost saving.

I care about what it says in the Rotax manual for the same reason that I do a preflight on an aircraft and I plead guilty to having flown a Rotax without being aware of the warnings. I will no longer fly one of these things outside the airport vicinity.

[AceLockCo]

It is not a few more bucks, it is double! And I think that people should make their own decision on what they can afford. Thank you very much.

The reason the FAA made the Sport Pilot certification is the allow more people to get into the air that were not previously able due to costs.

[AceLockCo]

Where are you going with this? By the way, who really cares about what Rotax says in their manual if you are using a Continental engine?

On top of that the Skycatchers are still not currently available, except for pre-order.

[airste172]

AND if a few more bucks means the difference between being able to fly and not, then I suggest that one cannot afford either.

I concede however, on the issue of medical exams being that big a deal to some, in which case safety would not be of paramount importance to those individuals.

[airste172]

Cessna Skycatcher uses an O-200 Continental engine. Rotax says this in their manual on page 14-6: "WARNING! This is not a certificated aircraft engine. It has not received any safety or durability testing and conforms to no aircraft standards. It is for use in experimental, uncertificated aircraft and vehicles only in which an engine failure will not compromise safety. User assumes all risk of use and acknowledges by his use that he knows this engine is subject to sudden stoppage."

[AceLockCo]

This is not a debate about the benefits of Sport Pilot vs. Private Pilot. The point is the video IS about an LSA and in that aspect the Cessna's are not in the same category and therefore can not be compared.

By the way, "a few more bucks" to some people may mean the difference between being able to fly and not. Also many aircraft that fit into the LSA category are less expensive.

And the lack of a medical exam is a very big deal to some of us.