Experimental Aircraft for hire?

[jpschulze]

I have been looking at getting a RPL recently as the costs involved are significantly lower than PPL. However, what aircraft am I then permitted to fly? What are my restrictions?

While I enjoy flying the odd Bantam etc, I would prefer flying something with the likes of a Tecnam, Jabiru, RV, CT etc

Are there any available within driving distance of Auckland? I am offcourse more than willing to join a club or have an arrangement with a private owner.

Any advice regarding a recreational Pilots license would be appreciated. CAA website helps me a little, but a more trivial explanation will be easier understood.

Kind Regards
JP

[flyjoe180]

Summary from CAA information:

RPL criteria:

• be at least 17 years of age
  
• obtain all six PPL theory exams
  
• hold a medical certificate issued in accordance with Land Transport (Driver Licensing) Rule 1999
  
• minimum of 50 hours of flying experience
  
• complete a CAA Fit and Proper Person Declaration
  

With an RPL you can:

• Fly single engined aircraft up to 2000kg
  
• Carry one passenger only provided the passenger is told the pilot does not hold a medical issued under the Civil Aviation Act
  
• Fly throughout New Zealand with some restrictions applying in certain controlled airspace and highly populated areas
  

[FlyingKiwi]

I was under the impression that currently you couldn't do an RPL as an initial issue - only if you previously held a higher license which you no longer met the medical requirements for? Is that no longer the case?

[Bruce]

Hi JP, strictly speaking no-one can hire an "experimental" aircraft as this term applies only to aircraft undergoing flight testing or demonstration flying. What you are referring to are "light Sport" or microlight aircraft. There are many clubs that now offer training in this sort of aircraft - just ask around. Be aware that you aren't restricted to flying these with an RPL - you can actually fly a C172 so long as its only 2POB.

[flarebounceflare]

same cost to obtain rpl as a ppl, because you have to sit the same flight test, and to sit the test you need the same solo student hours and to get them you need a class 2 medical. So you initially end up with a ppl either way

The only ongoing cost difference is an LTSA medical (like for a bus license which you get from your gp) rather than the more expensive class 2 aviation medical. You still have to do the same Biannual flight review to keep it current.

Its is aimed at pilots with a ppl who can't get class 2 medical anymore.

I am pretty sure most of the planes you listed can be reg'd as a microlight and flown on a class 2 microlight cert.

I had the same thoughts before starting my ppl (now 1/2 way through) I figured get the ppl so I had the option of taking more than 1 pax if I had a class 2 medical. You can upgrade and downgrade between rpl and ppl depending on what medical cert you hold once you have a ppl issued.

try the caa chart here:
www.caa.govt.nz/Publications/Posters/Aircraft_Operator_Reqs.pdf

I finally got my head round what planes you could fly on what and what the different certificates of airworthiness meant using it.