Accelerated sport pilot flight training recomenditions

[Jeff Boatright]

Hi all,

After googling sport pilot flight school and seeing the overwhelming results, I came to the forum instead. I searched here and found positive recomenditions to Lockwood, Stewarts aircraft, and Blue Ridge sport flight....
Thankyou

Dave

I just got my Sport Pilot airman's certificate working with Greg Collins at Blue Ridge Sport Flight (as in, just yesterday). I've had several false starts with other instructors, etc (not their fault - I have a weird schedule). Greg got me through the required instruction and the flight exam in less time than predicted, no muss, no fuss. I could not be happier.

Now having said that, there are some things about the Blue Ridge situation that may be good for some and not for others. I think for you, being from Alaska, it will be good. Greg instructs out of Johnson Field, which is a rough grass strip next to Hendersonville Airport. It has difficult approaches made more challenging by fluky, sometimes crazy (to me, anyway), winds. Your crosswind, short field, and soft field technique will be strong, strong, strong by the time you finish with Greg.

Your checkride will be at Knoxville-Downtown. Pull out a sectional. Yep, you will be flying across the Smokies twice in one day in a 65 hp Champ with two up. And Greg is not skinny. Though not like the peaks of Alaska, this is the real deal among the options you listed. When you get your ticket with Greg, IMO, you are much more prepared for what you might face in Alaska than if you took instruction in Florida with easy breezes on airstrips with no obstacles and miles of flat, sea level sandy scrub.

If you want to feel confident about your abilities from here on out, go with Greg at Blue Ridge in a Champ. This is obviously all just my opinion, just one data point.

[Jim Heffelfinger]

Rainbow may not offer training anymore. They are focused on the LSRM course, DAR work and other projects. Call or email to confirm

[polar]

Thanks for the help guys. Went to Lockwood, and it was so fun I forgot it was training. Just as Chick said the instructor Jeff and Romke are a well seasoned team that made it fun and changeling. If anyone reading this is trying to go through a accelerated course, Lockwood should be on your short list. Free apartment, no waiting on aircraft and both instructors are seasoned pilots not interested in building time. Thanks Jeff for the recommendation, I didn't hear anything (recomendation wise) about blue ridge till I got back from lockwood. The lockwood guys considered where I was from and did push the short takeoff and landings, soft field T.O. and ldgs. and max cross wind landings (forgot how to land in calm winds). The bonus for me was that I was in the lockwood shop and got a chance to b.s. with the engine shop guys on the in's and out's of the rotax 912, also got a ride in the aircam, too fun. The common thread I kept hearing while training was "Where your from you gotta ....etc" but I feel like I'm better off for it. thanks again to everyone who gave advice

[Chick]

Congratulations!

[Bill Greenwood]

It is great to see two guys who have gotten up and really done it. when so many can't follow through.

Polar, what airplane did you fly?

And both guys, how many hours did it take you to solo and to get the rating?

Jeff, I think you will profit down the road from learning in the Champ. One heads up as a taliwheel airplane it sort of goes part way as you sit in the front seat and can see over the nose. Wait till you try a Stearman for instance.

My a&p flew his Champ from Colo to Osh last year.

[Check 6]

Congratulations!

[polar]

Bill,
I flew the tecnam echo, tricycle gear plane. I'm finishing up on a ch-701 (similar to the echo) so it was a good fit. On hours flown I loged all duel 15hrs total (had previous training). Was planing for a longer stay but things went smoother than I could have hoped for! Having my written outta the way helped greatly.

Dave