Starting w/ Sport Pilot

[lahso]

Back in 2001, I was hoping to get my PPL, but money, time, life got in the way. I racked up a whopping 17 hrs in a 172 before I stopped training. Now, life is a little better and I want to get back into flying. I think I want to get my SPL, but have a few questions and/or observations and I'd love some feedback. Also, If anyone has their SPL, I'd love to get your take on how it's been.

Training
I want to fly for recreation... $100 hamburgers, flying up the coast... escaping. For now, the restrictions seem like their ok for this kind of flying. I want to eventually get my PPL + IFR, if nothing else to be a better pilot. Is there anything I should look out for as I train so my hours will count towards addt'l certs once I'm ready? One thing I've heard is to make sure my instructor is a CFI and to make sure the required cross-country flights are long enough for the PPL also.

The Planes
Also, everything that I've seen on the web talks about how great the SPL and LSAs are. From an objective standpoint, it seems like the LSAs are really small, and really susceptible to things like turbulence and wind. Putting all the hype aside, does anyone have any real sense of what it's like to fly these planes?

There are some cool LSAs entering the market right now... and they're cheap(ish). I'd like to think it makes sense to get an SRS, Skywatcher or CTLS so I have the freedom of flying whenever. On the other hand, if I intend to get my PPL, why limit myself with one of these planes... Aren't they theoretically just toy versions of their big brothers?

Airspace
I live in SoCal, will probably train out of KTOA or KSMO - some busy airspace. I know I'll need to get my Class B/C airspace endorsements. What other things should I be concerned about?

Medical
Another big factor for me is the medical. I have a heart murmur that is completely innocent. I know that will still raise a flag when I get my medical, but am prepared to do the EKG/Echo etc. I could fly as a SP and never worry about it, or I could do the appropriate tests before visiting an AME. I assume that once I 'fail' the medical, I will have to stop flying as a SP until everything is cleared from the FAA.

I guess what I'm hoping to find is anyone else's experience with SPL, LSAs and other opinions on the whole thing.

 

[nosehair]

Well...I don't have any current experience in the current LSA market...however, I did learn to fly back when J-3 Cubs & Aeronca Champs were a couple of the popular trainers, and they are classified as LSA, so I can say that they are no different than a 152 as far as turbulance, and everybody knows the lighter and hard to control in wind, the better you become at handling wind, so...

And all of your hours will count towards higher certs and ratings. They do not have to be with a full CFI while obtaining the SP cert. After that, when working towards PP, they will have to be with a full CFI.

 

[340drvr]

The Planes
................
There are some cool LSAs entering the market right now... and they're cheap(ish). I'd like to think it makes sense to get an SRS, Skywatcher or CTLS so I have the freedom of flying whenever. On the other hand, if I intend to get my PPL, why limit myself with one of these planes... Aren't they theoretically just toy versions of their big brothers?

.............

Without starting a huge thread on which aircraft may or may not be good for you, note that it's entirely possible to obtain the PPL in (some) LSA's, provided they have the equipment required for the training and checkride (basically, some form of electronic navigation, i.e. GPS, and enough instruments to satisfy the 3-hours of instrument training requirement.)