RockyMeLad
Curmudgeon-in-Training
- Joined
- May 27, 2004
- Messages
- 1,175
- Location
- Las Cruces, NM
- Aircraft
- Desert Bee (Gyrobee)
- Total Flight Time
- 320
OK guys,
The Desert Bee is a legal ultralight at 253lbs, but there isn't margin to put on things I want for safety/convenience: rotor brake, flashing beacon, brakes on the main wheels, and an altimeter. Not enough weight added to adversly impact flying characteristics but would bust Part 103. I have kept a building log to eventually go experimental or ELSA. Leaning toward experimental so I can do much of the maintenance (yes, I have Scottish ancestory, thank you).
So the quetion is: What is the most expedient sequence to get me a Sport Pilot Certificate and the Desert Bee an "N" number?
Tentatively:
1. Get flying the Desert Bee as UL. I'm registered with EAA for stick time to count toward Sport Pilot hours.
2. Finish ground school (King course) and any more dual time needed.
3. Take Bee and paperwork to DAR for Experimental Airworthiness Certificate to put "N" number on the tail.
4. Take "N" numbered Bee to do solo check-off with CFI. (This may not be needed if CFI can log that I'm ready to solo based on dual time????)
5. Take Bee to different CFI for check ride to get Sport Pilot Certificate.
6. Finish flying off the "40 hours" on experimental.
Comments / suggestions ...
The Desert Bee is a legal ultralight at 253lbs, but there isn't margin to put on things I want for safety/convenience: rotor brake, flashing beacon, brakes on the main wheels, and an altimeter. Not enough weight added to adversly impact flying characteristics but would bust Part 103. I have kept a building log to eventually go experimental or ELSA. Leaning toward experimental so I can do much of the maintenance (yes, I have Scottish ancestory, thank you).
So the quetion is: What is the most expedient sequence to get me a Sport Pilot Certificate and the Desert Bee an "N" number?
Tentatively:
1. Get flying the Desert Bee as UL. I'm registered with EAA for stick time to count toward Sport Pilot hours.
2. Finish ground school (King course) and any more dual time needed.
3. Take Bee and paperwork to DAR for Experimental Airworthiness Certificate to put "N" number on the tail.
4. Take "N" numbered Bee to do solo check-off with CFI. (This may not be needed if CFI can log that I'm ready to solo based on dual time????)
5. Take Bee to different CFI for check ride to get Sport Pilot Certificate.
6. Finish flying off the "40 hours" on experimental.
Comments / suggestions ...