LSRM Training Schools- Info?

[I Flied]

I am interested in obtaining an LSRM certificate and saw the new FAA repairman notice https://www.faa.gov/repairmen which shows three schools offer LSRM training.
I knew about Rainbow and have looked at their site for information. I did not know about Hangar777 or Joby offering training, which by the way are more conveniently located in CA where I am.

Does anyone know anything about Hangar777? I see they are in SoCal, but they don't seem to have much history to view on the web. Has anyone attended any training there? Impressions? Anything?

Joby, it appears to offer most of the training on-line and only a week in person. I don't understand how that translates into much in the way of a solid training experience. Thoughts?

Thanks

P.S. Should I post this under Maintenance Bay or Flight Following?

 

[FORANE]

Guessing there aren't many of us on this site who have been through the LSRI or LSRM training. Of those who have, I'm guessing even fewer (if any) have been to one the Hangar777 or Joby programs.

I went to the Rainbow 2 day course and have received the LSRI certification. Rainbow was the first to offer this sort of training. They have deep roots in this arena and would be a solid choice. I cannot offer any opinion on the other options. I wouldn't hesitate to travel again to complete their course.

The admin on the Lancair forum went to the Rainbow 15 day LSRM course and did a fairly through writeup here: https://lancairtalk.net/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=10930 I'm not sure if you need to join the forum to read that thread.

 

[midlifeflyer]

I am interested in obtaining an LSRM certificate and saw the new FAA repairman notice https://www.faa.gov/repairmen which shows three schools offer LSRM training.
I knew about Rainbow and have looked at their site for information. I did not know about Hangar777 or Joby offering training, which by the way are more conveniently located in CA where I am.

I don't know what your timeline is, but between the expansion of both LSRI and LSRM privileges, I'm, not surprised to hear about new entrants to the training vendors. The longer-term question is whether the uptick in interest in the immediate aftermath of MOSAIC will taper off and continue to support more than a few providers.

Quality of training? I wouldn't worry too much about that. Here's FAA Order 8000.84B, the latest FAA employee manual on Procedures to Accept Industry-Developed Training for Light-Sport Repairmen. Good discussion of the requirements for course approval.

 

[I Flied]

Thanks, I'll take a look at both suggestions.

 

[idahoflier]

I'm not familiar with the Joby or Hangar777 programs so I can't answer your question directly. That said, I did attend the Rainbow LSRM-A training in 2023 so I'll offer a couple of things to think about.

At least half of my LSRM training was spent in the classroom, so I can see online training as a viable alternative to the classroom. Personally, I don't like online instruction and I think I lose a lot by not being there in person and able to ask questions as they come up. Others may do fine though. The huge benefit I see is the reduction in being away from home, lodging expenses and potential issues working the training around your job, vacations, etc. While the Joby program runs longer than two weeks, it could offer a substantial savings.

The Joby program also appears to include Rotax training (like Rainbow's program). This can be an overlooked benefit as you may need that training if you want to maintain and perform inspections on a LSA that isn't experimental and is powered by a Rotax engine. I don't see Rotax training called out specifically in the Hangar777 program. This may not matter if you intend get Rotax training later. FWIW, I also took some Rotax classes from Motive Aero and they're great, so another plus for Joby.

I don't see a lot of info on the Hangar777 program, but if they also include Rotax training and it's closer to you, that may be a great option for you. I would definitely call both Joby and Hangar777 so you can make an informed decision.

I'll end by putting a plug in for Rainbow. It's an EXCELLENT program and they have great facilities. Brian and Carol are great folks and they have been doing this for over 20 years. While they are kind of in the middle of nowhere, they are close to KC for airline travel and there are many affordable lodging options around the area. I don't know if they still offer it, but in 2023 they had 4 - 5 onsite camping spots and I had all the sites to myself for the whole class. Since I drove my travel and lodging expenses were < $500.00.

Good Luck with it!

 

[Bell206]

Joby, it appears to offer most of the training on-line and only a week in person. I don't understand how that translates into much in the way of a solid training experience. Thoughts?

I can't speak to the actual training, but there was a regulatory shift about 5 years ago on all aircraft mechanic certificate training requirements. In addition to the use of ACS training standards, a path was developed to include remote learning as an option to obtain a mechanic or repairman certificate. So I think you will see more maintenance schools and training centers move to an online model even on the A&P side eventually.

This can be an overlooked benefit as you may need that training if you want to maintain and perform inspections on a LSA that isn't experimental and is powered by a Rotax engine.

Just to note, while any factory training is always recommended, there is no regulatory requirement to have such training to exercise the privaliges of a certificate issued under Part 65.

 

[4RNB]

1. I think all are Rotax based.
2. I can't find any complaints on Rainbow and enjoyed my 17 days there.
3. As popular as they are, I'd be concerned about availability of spots. Don't delay.
4. Rainbow has a Linked in group to network with after the fact if you plan to hang a shingle and go to work.

 

[Dana]

I just took the LSRI-A (2-day) class from Rainbow so I can do the annual condition inspections on my experimental Parrakeet, which I didn't build myself. Demand was high; I had to sign up for the class at the end of last summer to get a slot for the March class in PA. Still waiting on the FAA to process the paperwork. I can't say I learned a tremendous amount (how much can you cover in two days?), but I'm an aeronautical engineer and I've been doing all the work on all of the airplanes I've owned for years now. Someone with less experience would benefit more, though whether 2 days is enough for a total newbie to inspect his own plane remains to be seen. It was heavy on Rotax stuff which was interesting but inapplicable to any of the planes I've owned, but I recognize that most of the new LSAs are Rotax powered so it makes sense.

 

[Bell206]

Someone with less experience would benefit more, though whether 2 days is enough for a total newbie to inspect his own plane remains to be seen.

You'll find certification programs are designed to give a person a defined mininum theory and knowledge base. Same even at the A&P level. Everything after that is subjective to the person on how far they will take the experience side with some jumping down the rabbit hole to others who prefer only the minimum to get by. No different than the differences between pilots.