Re: Light-Sport Aircraft Yahoo group Re: Weight problems, was: is everyone here to bash Skycatchers?

Rick,

I think I have mentioned this before..

I took my first dual lessons in a Cessna 182, with the plan of obtaining a private
pilots license.

That plan got crunched when the doc indicated that he would not sign me off for the
third class medical. (note: not a failed medical, I simplly checked its' availability
for me first).

To be truthful, I was perfectly happy to fly under the FAR part 103 exemptions, until
they were eliminated by SP/LSA.

In today's environment of FAA/FAR rules, the only suitable option open to me is SP.
I do need to find a cooperative CFI and DPE.

BTW:
I'm not going to fly in someone else's trike.
I have landed on the front wheel way too many times by flying someone else's trike.

R. Williams

---------- Original Message -----------
From: "Rick Pitcher" <lightflyer@adelphia.net>
To: Sport_Aircraft@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Mon, 09 Aug 2010 05:24:20 -0000
Subject: Light-Sport Aircraft Yahoo group Re: Weight problems, was: is everyone here to
bash Skycatchers?

> Richard, it seems like you have had this same problem for years, maybe
> SP isn't the way to go for you.
>
> Since no instructor wants to fly with you in your trike, can you take
> Jim's advice and get your pilot's license in a Cessna 172 that can
> handle your weight? Or do you need a weight-shift endorsement to fly a
> trike, even if you are a private-pilot?
>
> --- In Sport_Aircraft@yahoogroups.com, "Richard Williams" <rkwill@...> wrote:
> >
> > Jim,
> >
> > I have my dual time already accomplished.
> > I have my ground school already accomplished.
> >
> > What is needed is an CFI to go through the SP maneuvers with me and sign me off to
> > visit a DPE for the oral and checkride.
> > unfortunately, most seem to think that having steering controls in the back seat
is a
> > big deal. Maybe so for a new student, but not needed with me.
> >
> > Now, if both would be willing to do the air time in my trike (setup to handle my
> > weight, but does not have dual controls) Then the SP license would soon be mine.
> >
> >
> > BTW:
> > regarding the willingness to fly with not enough fuel....
> > one of the axioms of flight is there is nothing more useless than runway behind you
or
> > air above you and you never have too much fuel unless the aircraft is on fire.
> >
> > R. Williams
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ---------- Original Message -----------
> > From: UltraJohn <japrice@...>
> > To: Sport_Aircraft@yahoogroups.com
> > Sent: Sun, 8 Aug 2010 16:35:41 -0400
> > Subject: Re: Light-Sport Aircraft Yahoo group Is everyone here to bash Skycatchers?
> >
> > > Thank your Jim!
> > > Best response on this thread so far.
> > > John
> > >
> > > On Sunday 08 August 2010 03:55:49 pm Jim Bair wrote:
> > > > Richard,
> > > > Others have already pointed out the math error making the situation even
> > > > worse than you thought. The point I would like to toss out is this. In
> > > > aircraft design, manufacturers and engineers have to design around a
> > > > target, very typically a percentile of the population. For example, the
> > > > military has very stringent physical standards (for a few reasons, but I
> > > > digress) and you will notice there are no 300 pound fighter pilots.
> > > > Ejection seats aren't built to handle that, the cockpits aren't sized for
> > > > them. Someone who doesn't meet the physical size requirements may feel
> > > > that it "isn't fair", but to build a system to handle everyone is building
> > > > in design factors for a very small percentage of the population and
> > > > denying the other 95% of the population performance that could be had if
> > > > they weren't wasting space and weight designing around a huge cockpit. As
> > > > a result, I don't think you're going to find a LSA built for 300# guys and
> > > > their instructors. Personally, I would recommend getting over it and
> > > > accepting it and moving on.
> > > >
> > > > Another recurring theme I see on this and other light aircraft lists is the
> > > > belief that fuel tanks must be filled all the time. People are constantly
> > > > grousing that they can't fill their tanks and all the seats in the airplane
> > > > at the same time. My question is this.... Would they be happier if the
> > > > tanks were half as big so they could fill them? Then they could say, "I
> > > > can fill my tanks and my seats." I would say to that, "I wish my tanks
> > > > were twice as big so when I want to go cross country by myself, I can fill
> > > > the tanks and get decent range." Having large tanks gives more options.
> > > > That concept is quite routine in large airplanes. You can't fill a 747
> > > > with people, cargo, and fuel, and go to Hong Kong from Chicago. To make
> > > > it to HK requires lots of fuel, and not being full of people or cargo. To
> > > > be full of people and cargo, one may only make it Tokyo. Having large
> > > > tanks increases options. So, when you do the math of what you can haul,
> > > > don't always fill the tanks. In my helicopter, I just accept the fact
> > > > that 2 people and half gas is about right on most days. If I wanted to
> > > > take you up, It would be for a short ride when we are low on gas and on a
> > > > cool morning or evening. That isn't a bad thing, it just is what it is.
> > > > If I wanted to take you and I farther and in the middle of the day, then
> > > > we need a bigger helicopter than an R-22. My advice (if you were asking)
> > > > would be to get your dual in a C-172 or even larger.
> > > >
> > > > Jim
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > From: Richard Williams
> > > > Sent: Saturday, August 07, 2010 7:09 PM
> > > > To: Sport_Aircraft@yahoogroups.com
> > > > Subject: Re: Light-Sport Aircraft Yahoo group Is everyone here to bash
> > > > Skycatchers?
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Anyway, 490 total payload.
> > > > 24 gal fuel.
> > > > (24*6=144)
> > > > 490-144=346 for passengers..
> > > > I'm 300 in my birthday suit.
> > > > so 146 for a co-pilot/instructor.
> > > > Hummmmm
> > > > I'm not sure of any instructors who are that light.
> > > > (Now, a nice lady co-pilot would be real nice.)
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > R. Williams
> > > >
> > >
> > > ------------------------------------
> > >
> > > Yahoo! Groups Links
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
------- End of Original Message -------

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