Simviation Forums

I am very interested in working towards a private pilots license, and owning my own airplane.  More than likely, it would be used mainly to fly myself and my son around.. Maybe out to some remote fishing/ camping spots, things like that.  My dream is to have a nice little bush-type plane that is rugged, sturdy and somewhat affordable to operate.
  I see there are alot of LSA eligible planes that seem to fit this bill, and are quite affordable.   
   I've noticed that the licensing costs for LSA are about half that of the regular private pilots license. 
  What are  the benefits or downside to going the LSA route, then working on my license more gradually?

Depends on what you intend to do with it.  You should know that someone with a light sport license can only fly 50miles or so from their home airport.  I could see renting an LSA for basic flight training then moving over to a cessna, piper, diamond for the rest of the training for the ppl.  This would in theory save some money because LSA's are in theory cheaper to operate. 

A drawback would be having to learn to fly 2 aircraft instead of 1 during your training, possibly causing you to fly more hours and spend more money.

I myself have never flown an LSA and these are only my speculations.

I do believe you can get your private pilot license in an LSA aircraft.  Many people have in the past (Piper Cub anyone?)  It just takes a little more flight time, and covers a few more maneuvers.  You can fly and operate an LSA with a private license, with all the same priveleges.  Now if you are only going to get a LSA license, then you are restricted in when, where, and how far you can fly.  You can even use your private pilot license as an LSA license if your medical expires (and you don't have any illnesses that preclude you from being safe to fly).  As for ownership, I've looked into it myself.  The biggest drawbacks to an LSA aircraft is cost (a new LSA still cost more than an older Cessna or Piper), range (pretty limited), useful load (given my size, pretty much myself and some fuel), and speed (being limited to under 120 kts, you don't get anywhere very fast). 

Now I'm not sure just how remote your fishing spots are.  If you are talking places with a fair size grass strip, a STOL equipped 172, or maybe a Van's RV would make a nice airplane for the job.  If you are talking about a gravel bar on an Alaskan Stream, then I would be thinking Super Cub or the likes.  And just my thinking, but the LSA's I've seen don't make great bush planes, rather underpowered, and just don't seem built as tough.

If you can afford the initial outlay, learning to fly in your own plane is much cheaper in the long run.

The only way an LSA license begins to make sense, is if you plan to buy an LSA airplane... because LSAs for rent are very rare. Sure, there are a few schools that will have an LSA airplane, and rent it for training.. but insurance companies don't allow FBOs to rent ANY airplane to other than a holder of a PPL.. even if it is a LSA.

Our club is thinking about getting an LSA, for two reasons. 1) the lure of inexpensive training to bring in more members..  2) An inexpensive aircraft for our current PPL holders to enjoy.

I've been closely associated with a few clubs since this LSA deal got started. Here's the reality. You aren't going to get signed off with many fewer (if any fewer) hours of training, than if you went a traditional PPL route. Most LSA students realize this, and quickly move into a traditional training plan... if for no other reason that they don't plan to buy an LSA.. so with just an LSA license, they'll only be able to fly with an instructor. And the reality sets in, that a few years down the road.. the cost difference (which aint much) in training, is peanuts compared to what flying costs in general.

I'd advise a traditional training program, even if you do plan on buying your own LSA.

[quote]If you can afford the initial outlay, learning to fly in your own plane is much cheaper in the long run.

Whatever your flying goal, there is a point where you have to stop trying to nickel-and-dime your way to it, and just pay. If your projected budget is such that you think you can only afford to buy an LSA (they ain't cheap, BTW, unless you mean an old airplane that meets the LSA requirements and is in less-than-perfect condition)... then you can only afford to go as far as the Sport certificate... then pursue your private (which will mean that unless you're only going to use your PP privileges in your LSA, which doesn't make a lot of sense, you will have to get checked out in more-capable planes and rent like "everybody else")... somewhere along the line you're going to be challenged to meet the costs of it all, just like someone who buys a beat-up

but FWIW, if you are going to fly "in the bush", I think you'd be wise to have the full PP training

... and about 500 hours as  PIC  after that training

thanks for the advice guys. At this point, I am really just trying to get a grasp of what my goals really are and things I'd need to do to start working towards those goals.  I have always been an aviation nut, but my career and adult life have caused me to drift away from it.

If you do get an LSA, get something old, like a Champ or a Cub. That way it becomes financially attractive. Otherwise, you might as well get a used 172.

But from a purely economical standpoint.. airplane ownership is a money pit..

Once again, 'I'm hoist' on my own petard'.