Getting Started Again

[HEMBRANT12]

Hello,
I am new here and just wanted to ask a couple of questions and get some opinions. I am 47 years old and I am looking to get back into flying. When I was 19, I took lessons towards my PPL, soloed, got my cx country endorsement, earned about 22 hours and then I quit (I still have my log book). At the time I wanted to fly as a career but I am color blind and couldn’t get a night time medical. I guess I got frustrated with that and decided to give up. Almost thirty years later I am a High School history teacher and am intrigued with earning my sport pilot certificate. I don’t want to bother with the medical and only want to fly VFR in good weather so I would like to take the sport pilot route. My daughter wants to be a commercial pilot and she just started working on her PPL and is about to solo. This as really got me wanting to fly again! Over the years I have gained quiet a bit of weight and know I’ve got to get that down before I can start training. I’m on a program and have already lost 25lbs in the past two months. I am motivated to get this done, but it is a slow process losing a couple of lbs. a week. My first question is, what is a practical weight to strive for to train in an LSA? I have read the new MOSAIC rules that have been proposed. It appears that when they go into effect I could possibly train in a 172 or similar for an SPL? That would definitely help a bit with the weight. Does anyone have an estimate of how long it will take for that to go into effect? I see that the comment period is in process now. There also doesn’t seem to be many LSA around my area which is Dallas? I will just keep on working my weight loss program until I get back down to a weight where I can make this happen! Thanks for the advice!

[CHICAGORANDY]

Congrats on the weight loss program. Under 200# wouldn't restrict any sport plane I'm thinking. IMHO the MOST important part of the decision (assuming finance isn't an issue) is whether or not there are any SP instructors and schools anywhere near you. Next is how far away is an LSA available to rent. Here in the Chicago area there aren't many at all. Buying your own LSA is of course always an option if you have an abundance of cash available.

MOSAIC could still take a looooong time to be enacted, and I do agree that having the fleet of 150s and 172s available would eliminate the unavailable rental LSA reality.

[gmatejcek]

Congrats on both the weight loss program and getting the aviation fire lit again!
With regard to the colorblindness issue, have you tested for a Statement of Demonstrated Ability (SODA)? Forty years ago or so I had a student who could not pass the FAA color vision test. Longer story shorter, one night he went to a tower controlled field with a fed in the cockpit with him. While at the end of the runway, the tower went through a pre-planned series of light gun signals with the student calling out the colors as he saw them. Despite his issues with the standard office test, he scored perfect in the real world of official aviation colors and was granted a medical with the SODA.
FWIW-

[N4YDQ]

I took flying lessons including ground school in 1996. Subsequently, the FAA rescinded my medical certificate because they did not like one of my medicines for BP control. I did not contest the decision at the time because usually the government agencies win.


I know now that some changes have been made and the Sport Pilot Category allows use of a State drivers license as OK for medical purposes. At age 74 is there any way, you know of, I can get back to flying again. I am in good health with BP under control with diet and meds.


I could not find any of my old records in the FAA database. For what it’s worth my student pilot certificate was EE-1648148 dated 07-15-1996. I have approximately 12.6 total hours flight time and 26 takeoffs and landings in a Cessna 172 from Maxwell AFB.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions you have to offer.
Roland in Montgomery,Alabama

[CHICAGORANDY]

IMHO find a flight school near you that has a Sport Pilot program - many places don't - and enroll. Your experiences from 28 years ago should make doing the full Sport Pilot course easier. And also unless you can afford to buy one, see if there are any LSA rentals within a reasonable distance from home. Many places don't have any near enough to matter.... ask me how I know -lol

If you come up positive on both counts? There is nothing to prevent you from getting back into the air. Failing that there is always a Part103 Ultralight to consider. No license required.

[N4YDQ]

Thanks for the response. Found two EAA chapter within 15 miles of me. So, most likely instructors as well. I will confirm. Also, I'm aware of the Sport Pilot Academy at Oshkosh as an option.

Regards,
Roland

[CHICAGORANDY]

Best of luck - hopefully an available LSA is also local. Please report back.

[Celt902]

I took flying lessons including ground school in 1996. Subsequently, the FAA rescinded my medical certificate because they did not like one of my medicines for BP control. I did not contest the decision at the time because usually the government agencies win.


I know now that some changes have been made and the Sport Pilot Category allows use of a State drivers license as OK for medical purposes. At age 74 is there any way, you know of, I can get back to flying again. I am in good health with BP under control with diet and meds.


I could not find any of my old records in the FAA database. For what it’s worth my student pilot certificate was EE-1648148 dated 07-15-1996. I have approximately 12.6 total hours flight time and 26 takeoffs and landings in a Cessna 172 from Maxwell AFB.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions you have to offer.
Roland in Montgomery,Alabama

Unfortunately, the 1 caveat to the driver’s license “medical” for Sport Pilot is that your FAA medical must not have been denied or revoked previously. I’m thinking your best bet is to purchase a part 103 ultralight which will still give you the gift of flight. There is no harm in trying but the FAA would probably deny your Sport Pilot license based on the previous revocation. Talk to an Aviation Medical Examiner to see what their thoughts are on your situation. Maybe that medication is no longer on the “bad list.”

[rwanttaja]

Unfortunately, the 1 caveat to the driver’s license “medical” for Sport Pilot is that your FAA medical must not have been denied or revoked previously. I’m thinking your best bet is to purchase a part 103 ultralight which will still give you the gift of flight. There is no harm in trying but the FAA would probably deny your Sport Pilot license based on the previous revocation. Talk to an Aviation Medical Examiner to see what their thoughts are on your situation. Maybe that medication is no longer on the “bad list.”

I suggest asking this question on the "Medical Topics" section of the Pilots of America forum page:

https://www.pilotsofamerica.com/community/

Doctor Bruce Chien hangs out on that page, and has helped a lot of folks with medical issues.

Ron Wanttaja

[Dana]

As @Celt902 said you can't fly as a Sport Pilot if your most recent medical was denied or revoked, and your medication might be allowed... are you even on the same medication nearly 30 years later?