Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mark Parry on March 29, 2023 at 9:01pm

Hi Fernando,  From what I can gather, you are looking to finish your sport pilot license but can't find an instructor/plane combo is that correct?  Have you tried finding an instructor willing to do so in your plane?  I'm also based at X51

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Permalink Reply by Fernando Egas on March 30, 2023 at 9:46am

Hi Mark, that is exactly correct!

Although, in order for that to work, somebody would have to fly the 40 hours Phase I in my plane and then it would be possible, however, not having dual throttle controls will require an authorization from the DPE

Any help and/or suggestions are more than welcome, thank you!

My personal email is feregas at gmail dot com

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Permalink Reply by Mark Parry on April 1, 2023 at 8:37pm

Hi Fernando,

Yeah, I suppose the 40 hrs is prohibitive to pay someone else to do, then there are insurance issues.  Probably by far the fastest and least costly would be to go somewhere for an accelerated sport pilot course which can be done in a few days. I know there are several in Florida but you would likely have to go to central FL.  Then get a few hours transition training for your aircraft (which may be the hard part) and fly phase 1 yourself.  If you fell comfortable enough, you could skip the transition training but in that case, I would definitely recommend you have an experienced pilot do the first flight just in case there are some adverse flight characteristics that need tweaking! How far along are you now on training?  Have you done your written exams?

I have pre-dawn heli flights out of X-51, 5 days a week this month, looks like you're by the old Roberts Air which is now the hangar we lease, will take a look at your plane on Monday.  I do know a highly experienced local CFI with an affinity for EXP that may be willing to do a first flight and/or possibly transition training, seriously doubt he would have the time to do the full phase one testing.  I'll speak with him about your situation and see if he's interested in discussing with you or can recommend someone that can help.  Hate to see you give up your plane without ever even flying it!

 

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Permalink Reply by Fernando Egas on April 2, 2023 at 11:16am

Hi Mark,

I had about 10 hours of instruction before Covid, the first few were at Sebring, Central Florida, in a Bristell which is a low wing LSA, pretty similar to the 650. I then continued in Miami (TMB) in a Viper SD4, also a low wing LSA, unfortunately they no longer have any Vipers available for training. Then when Covid hit, everything just paralyzed, and I didn’t take the written exam.

Yes, I am at the old Roberts Air, my plane is at the end of the ramp, has a cover with the N380FE on it if you want to see it.

It would be great to talk to you one of these days, I could show you my plane. It looks like you are in the mornings at X51, I usually go after 5:00 pm once a week, but I could adjust my schedule to meet you, just let me know when and if it could be possible.

Thank you for your interest in helping me, I really appreciate it!

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Permalink Reply by Mark Parry on April 4, 2023 at 10:48am

Hi again Fernando,

We are generally done with flights and back at X-51 about 9:30 or so, would be happy to meet you if that works out one day or we could meet up another time.  My 750 is at other end of field outside our old hanger (Jet Center main hangar)

The CFI I mentioned and I had the opportunity to take a precursory look at your 650.  There are a couple minor items I could see externally that I recommend looking over/adjusting prior to first flight.

CFI said he could certainly get you through your Sport License or do transition training for you and would be able to do so in your plane but; as you know, Phase 1 has to be done.  He hasn't specifically flown a 650 so would want to get a couple hours in it himself before instructing in it.  He may be willing to do a first flight if you figure out the insurance needs (after a closer look at controls and under cowling of course) but said he doesn't think he would realistically have time to get it through Phase !.  (He's supposedly partially retired but is still a near full time helicopter pilot and part time heli/fixed wing instructor.)  At any rate, he's not sure if he will be able to help with all you need but said he's happy to talk with you about it and may be able to make recommendations for others that can assist.  He's a good guy and seems to know dang near everybody involved in aviation in SFL...and he flies with me so clearly he's not afraid of taking some level of risk LOL.

I see you shared your email.  I'll send you his contact info (and mine) via email.

Cheers, Mark

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Permalink Reply by Douglas Binder on April 4, 2023 at 10:52am

Remember that Phase 1 can now be task based, not the 40 hours.  The airworthiness certificate would probably need to be rewritten to reflect that.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Parry on April 4, 2023 at 11:19am

I did forget that, good point!

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Permalink Reply by Fernando Egas on April 4, 2023 at 1:29pm

Hi Mark,

Thanks again for all your help and advise!

I'll contact you through email for more details and to set up a date and time to meet with you and the Sport Pilot CFI

Best regards,

Fernando

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Permalink Reply by Douglas Binder on March 31, 2023 at 10:42am

For what it's worth, I learned in a Cessna 150, got 5 hours of transition training, then did the first flight of my 601XLB.  You might want to consider just getting you PPL in whatever.  Of course, learning in your plane is a lot less money.  Have you looked around for someone to fly off the Phase 1? Can you add the second throttle?

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Permalink Reply by Fernando Egas on March 31, 2023 at 11:28am

Hi Douglas,

Thank you for your reply,

There is a school in X51, Pilot Training Center Homestead, I've talked to them, but they don't have any LSAs and they say there is no market for SPL here in the Miami FL area, so I would have to get the PPL that would require double time and effort, without saying twice the money as well.

As for the test pilot, I contacted Roger and he said he was too busy to come and do the test flight, he recommended contacting Bill Clapp as the engine manufacturer, have tried calling Bill and leaving him messages without any luck.

How can I find a test pilot in my area? If someone in this forum knows of somebody, I would appreciate if you could give me their contact information.

Interesting question about the dual throttle control, I did add it and then removed it as the friction that the second cable added to the system was way too much and I didn't feel comfortable, I even have posted my findings in this forum. (Just search for Dual throttle controls)

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Permalink Reply by Douglas Binder on March 31, 2023 at 2:00pm

Is there a local EAA chapter?  If you are not a member o the EAA I recommend joining. The 601XL is a fairly easy plane to fly but you would want someone who has at least a little time in one.  

My right throttle has no friction.  That is controlled by the left throttle only.

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Permalink Reply by Fernando Egas on March 31, 2023 at 5:25pm

Douglas,

There is one local chapter which I have attended, but I am not a member yet, I may go again and see if there is somebody who can help me with the test flight, but still open for any test pilot contact information from this forum.

My paaseenger throttle control was 8 feet long with an 180 degree turn, that's maybe why it added the excesive friction, I couldn't install the bellcrank because of other components in the way.

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