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I want to become a licensed pilot. I am trying to decide if I should
go for a "Light Sport" certification or a "private pilot"
certification. I know the differences between the two. Light Sport
Certification is of course much more limited in what you can fly but
it costs a lot less to get.(about $4000. vs $10,000.). You can also
get the Light Sport in about half the time. Any thoughts out there.
Is the Light Sport Certification to limiting? Is Private Pilot
worth the extra money? Thanks for your help.
-- James Johnston, August 2, 2010
Since you haven't told us what kind of flying you want to do, it is tough to answer the question. If what you want to do is take one passenger up during daylight hours and the two of you weigh less than 400 lbs. collectively, Light Sport should be a great experience.
-- Philip Greenspun, August 2, 2010
To the follow-up below... are light sport aircraft as much fun to fly as a heavier four-seater, for example? They should be more fun, in the same way that a 2000 lb. sports car is more fun to drive than a 4000 lb. sedan, which is more fun than the 7000 lb. SUV. There is less inertia so the airplane responds faster. If it is just one or two people, the only situation in which light weight is unwelcome is in windy or turbulent conditions. A heavier airplane is more stable and easier to land when the winds are gusty. If you're willing to plan your flying to occur on calm mornings, the Light Sport plane should be better in almost every way.
-- Philip Greenspun, August 2, 2010
In response to your answer to my question. What I am looking to do is have a pilots license for sport flying. I am looking to have some fun! I don't think I will be taking any passengers, certainly no more then one. Are Light Sport aircraft as much fun if not more fun to fly then larger aircraft?
-- James Johnston, August 2, 2010