Sport Pilot Training Experiences

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N117FA

Filing Flight Plan
Joined
Sep 26, 2008
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5
Location
Gaithersburg, MARYLAND
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N117FA
Hello, I am new to this group. I recently took possession of an AMD Zodiac CH650LSi for the purpose of flight training. This plane behaves much like a certified aircraft. I welcome any input from those that have received their light sport certificate such as the amount of time it took and characteristics that they liked or disliked about their particular training aircraft.

Thank you,
Younis
www.ForsythAviation.us
 
Younis, Welcome to the board!

Jay should chime in at some point from up north. He has a Zodiac.
 
Thanks Ken.

I'm looking forward to hearing what others have to say. I believe I chatted with Jay if this is the same Jay you are speaking of. When he is in the Maryland area, he is going to try to come by to have a look at my Zodiac. I am interesting in seeing his Zodiac as well.
 
Yep, that's me. I wasn't able to get by GAI this week, but I'll be back in a couple of weeks...and if I've got time, I'll go by then. Unfortunately, I won't have N55ZC with me.
 
I'm a burgeoning sport pilot myself. I did about 6 hours of training in an Evektor Sportstar Plus, and now about 10 hours in a 1946 Piper Cub. I spent some time looking at the Zodiac last night, it looks like a nice plane.

The Sportstar was bent on a botched landing (not me flying). That was back in early July and the plane is still down. It taken quite a while to get parts, and after the first set of parts, it was found that more parts were needed. So it sits.

The Cub has been a real treat. Unlike the Sportstar, which you could fly barely touching the rudder, the Cub really requires you to partner with it. No gps, no electrical system, no flaps, tons of adverse yaw. I'm at 16 hours and the next day without a variable crosswind it looks like I'll solo.

--chris
 
cprosser said:
I spent some time looking at the Zodiac last night, it looks like a nice plane.
Click to expand...
I'm really pleased with mine.

The Sportstar was bent on a botched landing (not me flying). That was back in early July and the plane is still down. It taken quite a while to get parts, and after the first set of parts, it was found that more parts were needed. So it sits.
Click to expand...
This was a major concern I had with the current crop of LSAs built in Eastern Europe. Yours isn't the first story I've heard along those lines.

I'm at 16 hours and the next day without a variable crosswind it looks like I'll solo.
Click to expand...
Great! Be sure to tell us about it.
 
jmaynard said:
Yep, that's me. I wasn't able to get by GAI this week, but I'll be back in a couple of weeks...and if I've got time, I'll go by then. Unfortunately, I won't have N55ZC with me.
Click to expand...

Jay- Look forward to catching up with you when you are the area next time. - Younis

cprosser said:
I'm a burgeoning sport pilot myself. I did about 6 hours of training in an Evektor Sportstar Plus, and now about 10 hours in a 1946 Piper Cub. I spent some time looking at the Zodiac last night, it looks like a nice plane.

The Sportstar was bent on a botched landing (not me flying). That was back in early July and the plane is still down. It taken quite a while to get parts, and after the first set of parts, it was found that more parts were needed. So it sits.

The Cub has been a real treat. Unlike the Sportstar, which you could fly barely touching the rudder, the Cub really requires you to partner with it. No gps, no electrical system, no flaps, tons of adverse yaw. I'm at 16 hours and the next day without a variable crosswind it looks like I'll solo.

--chris
Click to expand...

Chris - Thanks for sharing your experiences. Parts availability was one of my main concerns influencing my decision to buy the AMD Zodiac. Flying the old tail-draggers certainly requires the stick and rudder skills. Looking forward to hearing more from you as you near completion. Good Luck. - Younis
 
Chris and Younis
Welcome;
I have been flying some of the LSA's over here at W29 with Chesapeake Sport Pilot (CSP) They have been really good with me. I grew up many years ago with the old wonderfull stick and rudder rag wing planes. The new planes are very interesting to fly and I hope to fly a few of these different makes to make a decision which one would suite my flying needs. Some of these new planes have more electronics than my last normal category plane had and that can be a challenge.

John J
 
John J said:
Chris and Younis
Welcome;
I have been flying some of the LSA's over here at W29 with Chesapeake Sport Pilot (CSP) They have been really good with me. I grew up many years ago with the old wonderfull stick and rudder rag wing planes. The new planes are very interesting to fly and I hope to fly a few of these different makes to make a decision which one would suite my flying needs. Some of these new planes have more electronics than my last normal category plane had and that can be a challenge.

John J
Click to expand...

John,

Thanks for the welcome and input. Fortunately, stick and rudder skills carry over. A little practice will get the correct amount of input. I have also observed there is quite a learning curve for those of us with 30+ years of steam gauge and conventional radio experience.

Younis
 
Hello Younis,

I took delivery of the first AMD Zodiac 650LS (Serial 101) in late August. It was in production just in front of yours. When I visited the factory, I saw your plane in assembly, but I don't know what the final scheme looks like.

I really like the plane inside and out. It is peppy and stable. I particularly enjoy the autopilot. Let's exchange some photos if you want.

Paul Lewis
N822PS
KTLH (Tallahassee Regional Airport, FL)
 
Paul Lewis said:
Hello Younis,

I took delivery of the first AMD Zodiac 650LS (Serial 101) in late August. It was in production just in front of yours. When I visited the factory, I saw your plane in assembly, but I don't know what the final scheme looks like.

I really like the plane inside and out. It is peppy and stable. I particularly enjoy the autopilot. Let's exchange some photos if you want.

Paul Lewis
N822PS
KTLH (Tallahassee Regional Airport, FL)
Click to expand...

Paul,

See http://www.forsythaviation.us for some photos of N117FA. Although my plane is a 650, I ended up with serial 601-056S. It was completed the end of July to make the trip to Oshkosh.

It's amazing the capability we have today. The TruTrack VSGV accepts GPSS steering both vertically and horizontally. I would like to see some pictures of yours also.

Younis
 
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