Decision Point: planning medical & Check rides
We have realized there are two basic ways Jessica can proceed with her training and medical, and we want your feedback on which way is better.
Jessica is currently a Sport Pilot limited to an Ercoupe 415-C without rudder pedals. She aims to get her Private Pilot License (PPL), Third Class Medical (including Medical Flight Reviews), and high-performance endorsement to fly the RV-10.
This basically boils down to two scenarios: get the PPL now in the Ercoupe and add the RV-10 or wait for the PPL until the RV-10 is finished and then add the Ercoupe.
Because Jessica will have extensive modifications outside of an Ercoupe, she will have to take a Medical Flight Review (MFR) (in essence, another check ride) in each aircraft model she wants to solo.
In either scenario, our understanding is that Jessica will continue to legally fly the Ercoupe as PIC under LSA rules until she takes the MFR in the Ercoupe. Though we can’t find any current examples of this being done, which means the FAA may issue a new interpretation (so don’t use this blog as legal advice).
Why PPL now is better
The medical deferral process is always complicated. Applying for the Third Class Medical now would give Jessica plenty of time to complete the process. There won’t be any foreseeable time pressures. Jessica will also be able to take her PPL check ride in a familiar airplane. And if we play our cards right, it might be possible to take both the PPL checkride and the Ercoupe MFR on the same flight.
When the RV-10 is finished, Jessica will need to train for her high-performance endorsement and take another MFR before she can solo the RV-10. There may be a way to use some of this training time towards an instrument rating (but we’re not sure about the regs yet).
The downside is that not much of the Ercoupe training will translate to the RV-10, meaning there may be duplicated training (and thus more time burning 12 GPH).
But the training might translate the other way around.
Why PPL in the RV-10 is better
We are confident that Jessica will pass an MFR. It may take some time, but we wouldn’t have started this project if it was in doubt. Though it will take some time to train for and pass the MFR, so will Jessica’s training to safely transition to an RV-10. There is a pilot axiom that you train for the rating you want in the aircraft you will use. In essence, Jessica is training for her PPL in order to fly the RV-10 because she (in essence) already has a Sport Pilot Certificate for the Ercoupe.
Spending the time to dedicate her PPL training in the RV-10 will give Jessica a full and well-rounded understanding of the aircraft and its systems. She will not be able to solo the RV-10 until she completes the MFR in the RV-10. Since she already holds a Sport Pilot Certificate, she would theoretically be able to schedule both of the MFRs for the RV-10 and the Ercoupe on the same day but only need to take the PPL checkride in one of them.
The downside is that Jessica will have to wait before applying for the Third Class Medical. A change in administration at the FAA might make it more difficult, or there could be changes to the legislation that we don’t know about yet. Although Jessica might be better trained in the RV-10 (assuming the old axiom holds true), she might end up in a legal tug-of-war that could last for months or years, which would delay her flying the RV-10.
What to do?
There are advantages and disadvantages to both scenarios. What do you think? Leave your comments below or where this blog is posted on social media. Stay tuned for more updates!
