About six years ago I started hearing about the Sport Pilot Endorsements may be coming into rule and realized that this could later affect me. I was not getting any younger. I checked the ruling and also started checking around for an airplane that would fit the rules. The Sport Pilot rule will allow me to fly a Taylorcraft and continue my love of flying. I wanted an airplane project to rebuild (I love rebuilding) and so the Taylorcraft was perfect for me. I have purchased a 1945 BC-12 Taylorcraft that had been damaged on landing. I will be doing a complete restoration on it. My first project was restoring from scratch a 1950 Mooney Mite. This project took me a few years and hours of work, but was also fun.
Pilots who hold a recreational certificate or better, but whose standard or special issuance medical certificate has lapsed, will be able to fly under sport pilot rules with a driver's license and with a self-certification that they are medically fit to fly. Pilots whose medical has been revoked, suspended, or denied will need further review by the FAA and could be required to obtain a special issuance. The Federal Aviation Administration sport pilot medical question and answer page is a good place to go for answers. Pilots who hold a valid driver's license and whose medical has not been suspended or revoked will be able to fly many familiar certificated airplanes, including Piper J-2, J-3 Cubs and my favorite because I learned to fly in the Taylorcraft, (they have always been special to me).
The rule also creates a new class of light sport aircraft that will include both kit airplanes and yet-to-be-certified models. The FAA estimates that light sport aircraft should be less expensive than many models now available, and that lower cost will come lower operating and maintenance expenses.
Learning to fly will be more affordable requiring a minimum of 20 hours of flight time to earn a sport pilot certificate, which is a significant savings over the average time of nearly 70 hours to earn a private pilot certificate. Sport Pilot certification brochure. I hope this information on why I purchased a Taylorcraft and the above links to the FAA will bring you the enjoyment of knowing you can still fly. Today Sport Pilot will allow you to fly even though you may have a medical problem or are getting older. To view some of the airplanes I have either flown or restored go to Jerrys Hangar page (http://pilotone.com/)
My name is Jerry Bishop and I am a private pilot and have owned and restored several vintage aircraft. I have been an aviation instrument designer for 45 years (gyros, vacuum pumps, and engine instruments). Take a moment visit Pilot One http://www.pilotone.com and go to Jerrys Hanger with stories, photos and information for the pilot. I love visiting about airplanes.
By Jerry Bishop
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