Sport Pilot License

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Rick Savage

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Apr 3, 2012, 1:56:21 AM4/3/12

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Sport Pilot License

http://www.kimt.com/content/localnews/story/Sport-Pilot-License/vqqncJ-gW0efR6RTNX7Lpw.cspx

MASON CITY, IA-A fairly new kind of pilot's license is gaining some interest.

That may because you can obtain the "sport" pilot's license in just half of the time of a regular one.

Those that are interested in flying the sky have a simpler option
There's a new introductory pilot license called a sport pilot

Flight Instructor Chris Schrodt said, "It was first targeted toward the elderly community. People leaving aviation but still want to fly and they didn't want to get their medical anymore so they go to a sport pilot air craft."

When anyone gets a pilot license they have to undergo a certain amount of flying hours with an instructor....typically around 40, and most licenses require a medical certificate saying you have passed the FAA's health tests.

The sport license is a bit different. They only require 20 hours of flight time and no medical certificate.

For sport pilot it's based on your driver’s license as long as you can get a driver’s license you're fit for flight.

You may be able to get a license to fly this type of plane in a shorter amount of time, but the work you put into it is still the same.

Schrodt said, "They are doing the same exact maneuvers and stuff. The main difference is going to be the distance in which they travel for the cross country flights."

Those that get the sport license also are required to use a smaller aircraft like this and you are only allowed one passenger after a check ride.

But overall the flight instructor here said it's a great alternative if you are just looking to have a little fun in the air.

Schrodt said, “The aircrafts are actually better than most of the aircrafts I’ve flown..because they are so technically advanced avionics. They have the entire glass cockpit all the bells and whistles that you could want in an airplane."