Pilot Training In A Modern Airplane Vs Old Cessnas 

All my training was light sport. Its simply the smartest route. Love light sport!

I got my PPL in a SportCruiser, I love flying that plane. Getting into a 172 seems like going from a sports car to minivan. That's fine when you need a minivan, but the SpotCruiser is light and highly maneuverable, it doesn't use as much fuel, and it uses MOGAS. It does get hot under that canopy in the Texas summer though, even with the sun screen. Also, I love the stick, it's a lot more natural feeling than a yoke.

Congratulations on the new house. Thank you for sharing what’s going on with you and being so responsive to the community.

Aww, that little girl's face when the aircraft lifted off was priceless... my goal is to begin flying in July this year, can't wait to someday be able to take my two daughters with me on a flight.

great job mike, very well done video

I was a "rusty pilot." I did my "time" in beaten up C's with steam gauges and then made the rounds looking at the alternatives. I wasn't going to spend 400-500 for a 172. The Sportcruiser fit all of my requirements for a plane that had proven reliability, had a decent safety record, could be serviced, had modern flight systems and avionics and met my definition of reasonable. I haven't regretted the SC acquisition for a single moment. A word about the word "twitchy..." with this airplane. This is not your father's Cessna.... It has large control surfaces and a very low Vfe. It likes to fly. It's light in crosswinds. So the solution isn't to blame the airplane but to train the pilot. You've got to be patient and let it bleed off energy. You have to keep the upwind wing down. You have to make slight corrections. If you do those things, it's surprising how quickly the "twitch" disappears.... This airplane loves to fly...when you fly it, you need to think of it differently than many of the more traditional aircraft in existence. Fly it or cruise it...it'll do both, very well. If I owned a flight school, I'd use these, any day, over even a refurbished Cessna. Cost of operation, ease of maintenance, use of MOGAS, all line up to keep operating costs low and the fun quotient very high.

Man unlike other genres the aviation group is passionate… You can learn a lot from these comments, love the opposing views… I’ve done both as far as training. I only have 20 hours so I’m no expert by any means of the word… I started favoring the 172s over the CTLS. My reasoning was more landings and a little bit more training because the plane is faster. Cessna was a lot easier to land. I started out in the low wing GOBOSH. Every plane that I train In, I considered to be great! Personally I like the lower RPMs during run up and a stronger engine in the Cessna. I also like the easier landings in the Cessna. I love the room in the cockpit. I was intimidated by the fuel mixture plunger, because I was paranoid about accidentally knocking it in( I know that’s dumb) but it was just one of my hang ups. I also like the simplicity of the LSA. I liked both break systems, but I think I preferred the toe breaks , However that was never a dealbreaker for me. All I can say is I remember getting back to the airport quicker whether it was touch n goes or just getting from the training area back to the airport. I also loved having the parachute in the CTLS. The GOBOSH was amazing it felt like I was on a magic carpet ride( I’m sure the Sport Cruiser feels the same. ) I would bet that once you get up there in the Sports Cruiser, if you’ve never flown in one before and you’re starting out I bet you will be smiling the whole time, there’s just something that comes over you and you can’t help but smile. I would say to anyone if you’re not sure try both at least maybe take a demo ride in each. Great comments from everyone! Great video the Sport Cruiser is amazing if you can afford it! You can certainly afford to train in it. My 2 cents:)

Great explanation for the potential new buyer

Excellent video, Mike! This is exactly where I'm at. I'm 67 years old and preparing for the knowledge test. I want to initially train light sport, build hours, and then on to a PPL if I know I'll be able to pass the physical. I'll be searching for a nearby school in TN with nicely equipped LS aircraft like Sportcruisers. I really enjoy your work. Keep it up! BTW, if you're going to Sun n' Fun, I look forward to seeing you.

Love this Mike. It's about time flight schools are able to offer a fun desirable plane to learn in. Back in the 70's when I did it, it was a boring. 150.

Thank You. So Cool.

This looks like an excellent training aircraft. I do like the way the yoke on the 172 is but it’s a small factor really.

My school charges around 180 an hour for a glass cockpit 172 lmao

Something beautiful about learning in a cessna in my opinion though. You can always progress and change later.

He Should have talked about the electric pitch AND roll trim, wing lockers and all digital full coupled 2 axis auto pilot with the ability to climb and decent via VS or Airspeed while respecting Vmo and Vs1 envelope limits Got my Commercial AND did my instrument time building in these. I also did my CFI-S in them. Awesome aircraft.

excellent

LS "SportCruiser" is the best. Ultimate trainer for modern times. Great job guys!

I'm returning to flight after 30 years since I got my PPL and getting back up to speed in the Sport Cruiser at $90/hr. Definitely different than the 172 I originally learned in but great nonetheless. Used SCs are half what they are new. I haven't seen used 172s for less unless in need of overhauls or significant upgrades. SC outperforms C150 all day long up here at altitude in Colorado. No comparison.

Bruh, the sf25c I'm training in costs 80€ per hour

06:25 -- The look on that little face is priceless! :-D

I still love steam guages , if I was to get my license I would want to train with steam guages first.

Nice video.. Only issue I have is finding a school that offers LSA. All of the FBO's in my neck of the woods in Central NH have nothing but beat up 172's and an old Archer or two.

Hmm, so with speed and usable load being similar to a C150, which I can have IFR certified for $20k, why would I choose to spend $150k for this plane? so I can work on multiple certifications? This might be eye candy for a flight school but if I had the $68k needed for ATP school I would just do that. Also, I can still get into a 152 rental at under $80 and I know a place where I can rent a 172 for under $99. So, let's just call it what it is: a Sunday afternoon joyride; for those who already have a hangar full of daily commuters; the guy downgrading from an intercontinental Mooney (can't believe that was actually mentioned); "investment" for the retiree with a reverse mortgage; a bday gift for a spoiled kid...you catch my drift...if we want to get people into flying we need an Elon Musk in the aviation business. Making a 4 seater, 120mph@5gph with min 3h flight time and able to take luggage for two at $35k.

Thank you for sharing! #AviationIsWorthPursuing

I own an Evektor LSA , He misses the strengths of the Sportcruiser , it is a superior aircraft to a 152 , P28 its more modern , teaches better stick and rudder skills and is a pleasure to fly , evertime I fly a 172 or even a 182 I cant help but feel I am getting in an artifact from the 60s

Thank You ,all of your videos are top notch

Great video. I’ve never thought of this. Is it possible to get all the ratings he mentioned in an experimental as well?

Thanks for another great video! I have started my ground School self study and can you help me understand a few things? On the FAA Knowledge Test I know there are 60 questions and have 120 Minutes to answer them. 'What about the oral test questions during the check ride? ▪How many questions are there? What are the topics? ▪How much time do I have to answer them?▪ What materials can I use to answer these questions if any?🛩

The sport cruiser is an excellent airplane. Good quality and usable performance. Glas cockpits are the state of the art today. And bring a lot more safety and good features. No reason for old clockwatch cockpits in old airplanes. And they use to much gas with OK performance. I would prefer and recommend LSA planes for trainings. If it is affordable.

I've done most of my training up to this point in Tecnam light sports, and I have no end of good things to say about them. They're much more affordable, and the training translates, as you mentioned... but I've also found that the lighter weight of the aircraft *forces* you to learn the basics of airmanship, simply because it is more susceptible to the air currents than a larger, heavier aircraft. I couldn't agree more with your recommendation!

Now lets talk about the employability of LSA trained pilots compared to GA trained pilots. What experience will commercial operators favor more for freshly minted CPL students trained in LSA vs those who are trained in GA?

how will electric airplanes change the hourly rate?

I don’t think you can do all the ppl required hours in a light sport. Please provide reference documentation that supports this.

But GA schools don't run new aircraft do they? Think the apples to apples comparison is not fully pared(fruit joke) off coz I am sure the message is being heard but somewhere on paper it is not making sense.

How can you count you LS hours toward a PPL? As far as I have understood, LS is its own certification with a lot more restrictions such as flying day VFR only, and do experimental aircraft hours count towards a ppl? Let me know because I am about to throw down +-~8k to get a PPL and if there is a cheaper way, hell, I would love to know! Thanks!

Quiero uno que bellesa sino loquieren yolo puedo adoctar

Learn it ALL - Focus on what you will be flying.

Lol it is the 194SC this is it that I fly in my flight school !

Good, Like...

Why not use a 150? It is about $70 to $75 bucks an hour I know they are old but when you are done it is the same as a new 172 Cessna or a 140 piper!

Mike, I think I see a light sport airplane in your future. Good luck with the final decision.

Still no way the sportcrusier will out last a Cessna/piper...

Yeah but, the light sport license was about getting more people into flying. However the aircraft are ridiculously over priced.

This is a sales person telling you how good their planes are. Respect to that however bear in mind that he never tells you the disadvantages but of course only the advantages.

I hope me ordering pizza doesn’t put me on the watch list of naughty

This is simply a form of advertorial. As Chief Plilot, ATPL holder, turbine line-training captain & ab initio instructor + MEI, I firmly believe CPL test & training should be on CSU retract - representative of types an new Comm holder will work with. I have also noted the accident/injury/survival stats of the modern generation of S/E available.

Learn on an aeroprakt 32, you could probably do it for about 60/hr.....

I wish I could fly. Faa says no cause depression. Sucks

One unmentioned item related to cost. Cost on new airplanes only comes from scale. Meaning the use has to even out the high cost of financing a 150k airplane. The rotax engine is also maintenance intensive. Flight schools with a 45k airplane can afford the cost of ownership because it is stable in cost. Another aspect, light sport accidents are mostly related to landing. Lightsport are very sensitive in handling and landings even in light winds can blow a pilot off course. Not so in a legacy cessna or piper for example. Light sport is for retired folks who have the cash to purchase aircraft. Flight schools by and large have exited the light sport market because the economics do not make sense.

I trust a Cessna any day, it’s a real airplane, and real pilots fly analog gauges not glass.

training with parachute vs training with no parachute on old plane. I went to Sebring,FL and sat on the plane They are soooo nice. The 172 looks like crap compare to this plane. Again, just on the looks . I know nothing of specs.

Taxi on the centerline, that's what it's there for. #noob

My only issue with this video is how it went to how women are disadvantaged towards the end. At my school we had an aviation program and only one girl chose to take that class. How is it bad that women just don’t want to be pilots as often as men?

Nice talk. Well I've looked at a lot of LSA's and NONE will allow you to have full fuel, 2 200lb people with 40 lbs of luggage. None. There weight limit is to low, 1320 lbs. You figure Fuel, 20 gal= 120lbs, 2 200lb people, and 40lbs of luggage. That leaves you with an LSA that can only has a weight of 760lbs. The Sport Cruiser has an empty weight of 855lbs. Gross weight of 1323lbs. Fuel of 30gal (180lbs). Range is 592 mile with full fuel. So 2 200lb people, 180lbs Fuel, and 40lbs luggage. That's 620lbs. Plus aircraft, 855lbs. 855+620=1475. Over gross by 152 lbs. Yea I know don't won't to go 592 miles. OK Just put in 20gal. Your still 92 lbs over gross. OK put in 15 gal. Cruise at 75% is 107mph. Say fuel burn is 5 gph. That gives yea 3 hrs with ZERO reserve, maybe. JUST SAYIN.

1st

Rotax though....................

Way to many people should not even think about being a pilot, there's to many already.

Expert who is selling something telling you what you need, hmmmm?????