From: Sport_Aircraft@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Sport_Aircraft@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of medicbill@aol.com
Sent: Friday, April 13, 2012 12:26 PM
To: Sport_Aircraft@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: Light-Sport Aircraft Yahoo group LSA for rent without renters, or renters...
Yes, a lot of the LSA's out there are expensive. Mainly because most come equipped with the high price glass cockpits that manufacturers seem to think is what the market wants but you can find LSA's out there that make good trainers for under 100k. Plus as more LSA's come onto the used market the cost difference will start to even out. But you forget the one big advantage that LSA's have over those cheap 152's and 172's is fuel burn.
IMO the biggest problem with LSA having difficulty is the FBO's owners not having any vision and CFI's not having any vision thinking that they are going to get cheated out of money because they do not get paid as many dual hours as a PPL. Instead of thinking about general aviation and getting someone flying and then later on they come back to upgrade to PPL and beyond they seem to have a bad attitude about LSA.
I started as a SPL thinking it would save me money. Found an FBO nearby that offered LSA but only had one LSA. So when I was ready to take my check ride unfortunately someone crashed and destroyed the aircraft. With an instructor on board caused by fuel starvation. Luckily no one was hurt. But now I was stuck because it was the only LSA they had. Since there were no other FBO's with an LSA within a hundred miles I had to wait 4 months till they got another LSA on line. So once again As I am ready to take my check ride after getting use to the new aircraft some one damages that one due to a bounced landing and crushed nose gear. Once again with an instructor on board. Both times was not the instructor I was using. But the plane was down for 2 months for repair. So after that I had enough figuring this FBO is a joke. Plus my instructor was hired by an airline and left so I figured it was time to move on. I was approaching 60 hours of logged time so obviously was not saving any money. I found a very good instructor who was retired and instructing was his retirement job and switched to PPL and finally was able to get my ticket. Plus my former FBO is now focused on training pilots from India and China then worrying about what goes on here in the US.
Even though I have a PPL I still support SPL as a way to save GA here in the US especially as fuel prices continue to climb. I just wish there were more people out there with vision that brings more people into flying and GA.
Bill
Very well stated Bill. I agree.
Gary
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