Originally Posted by
word302
Well let's think about those stats a bit. A good portion of the people flying LSAs are established pilots who can no longer qualify for a medical. I would be curious to see what percentage of these accidents are related to training, or from people who actually hold a sport pilot license, as opposed to someone who already had a pilot certificate and is now exercising sport pilot privileges. I would guess you would see a large portion of the latter.
As far as the 5 hour requirement goes, you do realize that sport pilot CFIs do not even need a commercial license. These "instructors" have very little experience and I think it appropriate for such a limitation. There is no requirement for a normal CFI to have any time in type to instruct in an LSA.
I have over 400 hours of dual given in LSAs. I think it's completely ridiculous to assume anyone is going to have a certificate n 20 hours. (I rarely solo students in under 20 hours.) I have made many a private pilot in LSAs. I don't think there is any difference in the level of danger when compared to your average Cessna or Piper. (I think Pipers are terrible trainers.)
There is no substitute for good instruction, and there is plenty of not-so-good instruction to be had accross the country.
Believe me, I do respect what you are saying, as I'm sure your feelings are genuine. Certain flight schools probably do a good job in this market. I think it is the kind of school that doesn't just assume LSA are easier and simpler.
I have a similar amount of dual given in LSA and still think they are terrible for the mission they were designed for. The five hours PIC thing came out after a couple years in response to the alarming accident rate of LSAs. I know several flight schools who jumped all over the LSA craze who then turned around and sold off their LSAs in about two years. I think the sharp drop in original issuance sport pilots is reflective of this across the country (even as the economy improved).
Instruction is very important of course. However, based on structural strength and forgiving handling characteristics, a 152 (etc.) can be dribbled down a runway in ways that (the average) LSA cannot. Period. Obviously this is a hot button issue for me. I am concerned about and clearly disagree with the notion that LSA are the cure to various ailements in the piloting world.