Can anyone help me figure out how the transition from sport pilot to private pilot in the same category/class of aircraft (e.g. ASEL) is handled?
I may have an opportunity to go to Oshkosh (not the fly-in, but the city) for EAA's Sport Pilot Academy and, in theory, return three weeks later with my Sport Pilot ASEL. The only challenge for me (and one reason why this is not my only plan) is that the only flight schools near me do not have light sport aircraft.
So, does anyone know if or how having a Sport Pilot certificate would benefit me as opposed to going straight for a Private directly given that my end goal is CFI either way? (No intention toward ATP - I'm a university professor and simply like to be able to teach things that I know.) I know there would be two sets of written and practical exams if I did sport first, so I want to know if obtaining a sport certificate would benefit me in any way that would offset needing to take one more set of exams.
@Glyn Gowing
I know of no benefit to doing the Sport Pilot as preparation for Private, and a number of drawbacks including added cost, training time, and the two extra tests you mentioned. While Recreational Pilots have a shorter “transition” knowledge test (code PAT), Sport Pilots must take the regular PP knowledge test (code PAR).
@Ronald Levy
OK. I was hoping there was some benefit with it, but I guess given that a C172 carries (in theory) four people, it wouldn't make much sense that a sport pilot cert would benefit me much.
@Glyn Gowing
Neither Sport nor Rec would help you much towards a PP-Airplane, just add time, cost, and training.
@Glyn Gowing
I seem to remember that you had an issue with obtaining a Medical certificate. If you have resolved that issue and now have a Medical, go for the Private.
If you do not have a Medical certificate, your training would halt at the point where you would be ready to solo an airplane. If this is the case, I would go get the training for the Sport pilot certificate and take the tests.
61.51(e) allows you to log PIC time with a Sport pilot certificate. You could accrue time and experience as a Sport pilot that could be applied to the requirements for a Private pilot certificate.
The benefit is for you to decide. Is it worth the cost of an extra knowledge and practical test to be able to live your dream now, rather than later?
As i recall, Glyn applied for and were denied a medical certificate last year. If that is true, then Sport Pilot is not currently an option. To use a driver's license as your medical qualification, your most recent medical application (if any) must have resulted in issuance. Had he not applied, then he could have gone Sport Pilot on a driver's license, but application resulting in denial closes that door.
But if my memory is correct, and Glyn applied and was denied, then he will have to obtain a medical certificate before he can go the Sport Pilot route. Absent that, his only options are gliders or balloons.
@Ronald Levy
There have been a few people on here with medical issues. I don't remember if Glyn had applied or was contemplating applying because of a condition. Hard to tell the players without a scorecard.
If he applied and was not found eligible, then he is out of luck.
He would not be able to do the Sport route or the Private.