Moore Airtime
Trike Flights and Instruction in the Denver, Colorado Area
Training Guide
Pictures of the Williams Ranch 2002 Fly-In
Pictures of the Williams Ranch 2003 Fly-In
Pictures of the WWUA Fly-In 2005
Physical Requirements, etc.
The following requirements apply to all flight students, including introductory flights:
 | Signed waiver before flight. Minors will need a parent or guardian present during flight, who must also sign the waiver. |
| At least 14 years old. |
| Weigh no more than 230 pounds. |
| No physical or medical conditions that would affect your ability to see, understand, and control your flight from beginning to end. No one should learn to fly who has any condition that results in loss of consciousness or situational awareness. If you have significant hearing loss you can learn to fly, although it might be prudent for you to avoid busier airports where pilots commonly use a radio. We have not trained anyone yet who has lost full or partial use of their legs. However, trikes can be flown without the use of legs, and we might consider modifying a trike for such a student if you are serious about pursuing flight instruction. |
The following additional requirements apply to flight students (not required for introductory flight):
| Valid photo ID. |
| U.S. citizen - proof of citizenship is required. |
Taking a Demo Flight, aka, Your First Flight Lesson
Is this a real "lesson" or can I just enjoy the ride?
Your first flight in a trike is meant to simply acquaint you with the pleasures of trike flying. Although you will be exposed to good pilot procedures and habits, you will not be expected to remember or repeat any of what you learn. Our goal is to demonstrate to you the joy of trike flying, with the hope that you will pursue further instruction with us, or with some other instructor in any area of aviation. Just tell your instructor how much you wish to participate in the flight. Some people prefer to just relax and enjoy the new sensation of flying, and others like to jump right in and learn to control the trike in flight. We will tailor the flight to your preferences.
Can family and friends come along?
Family and friends are more than welcome! Please be sure an adult is available to supervise children while you are flying.
Can I bring a camera?
You are welcome to carry either a still or a video camera. For safety, it is crucial that you have a solid, reliable wrist strap or neck strap to prevent the camera from falling if you should drop it.
What should I wear?
The first clothing consideration is warmth. You will be sitting in the open wind during your flight, and there is no quick way to stop and warm up! So it's important to dress warmly. Even on summer mornings the temperature can be in the 60's, so a windbreaker or jacket will feel good. Prepare to dress warm and we can help you decide which items to leave behind.
The second consideration is to avoid loose clothing. Jacket hoods will flap in the wind, and anything attached with snaps may come loose and disappear from sight!
Almost any kind of shoes can be worn, but we do prefer no sandals.
Gloves will help keep you cozy on cold, or even cool, days.
We will provide you with a helmet, so you don't need any kind of hat. However, on colder days, a high collar that buttons or other neck protection can really help keep you warm.
Sunglasses or other eye protection are a must.
Scheduling a Flight
You can call any time to schedule a flight. Weekends and holidays are popular times to fly, so it's a good idea to schedule your flight a few days in advance, if possible. Since our sport is so dependent on weather conditions it's not uncommon for flights to be cancelled due to bad weather. If this happens you will have priority in re-scheduling for a different date.
You must call to confirm your flight. For morning flights you must confirm after 5:00 pm the evening before. For afternoon or evening flights you must confirm after noon on the day of the flight. This can save you (and us) an unnecessary drive to the airport if the forecast is for unfavorable conditions, or if a trike is in need of unexpected maintenance.
If you don't call to confirm your flight then we may re-book your flight with another student, or you simply might arrive at the hangar to find no one there.
If your flight is scheduled for morning, and you wake up to unexpected poor weather, you can call us at any time to confirm the flight. Don't worry about waking someone up! We would all rather answer the phone than make an unnecessary drive to the airport.
We don't mind if you need to re-schedule a flight, but please give us as much notice as possible.
Please remember that our sport requires us all to work around conditions. For instance, if fog delays the flight of the student before you, please be patient while the previous student finishes their lesson, as the student after you will be patient for you.
Flight Training Syllabus
We follow a structured and well thought-out lesson plan. However, we will also adjust and tailor your training to meet your needs. Every student comes from a different background and learns a little differently! At the end of your training you will have the confidence that you are a safe, competent pilot, who makes consistently good decisions about flying. You should be able to look back on your training as a quality, rewarding, and truly fun experience.
There are three main aspects to your training:
Ground School:
In ground school you will learn most of the same topics that private pilots are expected to master. This includes basic aerodynamics, wind effects, weather, performance issues, airport usage, radio usage, airspace designations, navigation, and other areas that will make you a well rounded, safe pilot.
Flight Training:
You will be learning to fly the trike right from the very first lesson. In fact, after the first few minutes in the air you will probably be doing most of the flying, and the rest of the lesson will consist of getting used to the flight controls, relaxing in the air, and adjusting to the "feel" of the trike. Additional lessons will include more advanced maneuvers, then learning to takeoff, then learning to land. If you are interested, we will plan and perform a short cross country to practice navigation, flying over unfamiliar terrain, and landing at an unfamiliar airport.
Solo Flight:
Toward the end of your training you will be allowed to fly one of our trikes solo. Your first solo flight represents our trust in you as a responsible, proficient pilot, and is one of the milestones in life that you will always remember!
Sport Pilot vs. Ultralight
What is Sport Pilot?
Sport Pilot is a new type of pilot's license that was put in place by the FAA in September, 2004. Earning a Sport Pilot license allows a pilot to fly aircraft that fit the definition of Light Sport Aircraft. Trike pilots can choose to be trained to fly under either the ultralight rules or the Sport Pilot rules, or both. Each set of rules has pros and cons.
Sport Pilot: Pros
| Can fly heavier aircraft, up to 1320 pounds. |
| Can carry more fuel. |
| Can fly aircraft with a maximum speed of 120 knots. |
| Can carry a passenger. |
| Can fly into airspace with control towers. |
| Can fly over congested areas, with some limitations. |
| Can still fly under ultralight rules when flying a trike that meets the definition of an ultralight. |
Sport Pilot: Cons
| Higher standard of training, including flight training, ground training, testing, and licensing. |
| Flight review required every two years. |
| Trike must be registered with the FAA, maintained according to specific rules, and inspected regularly. |
| Maintenance and repair may need to be performed by an authorized repairman. |
| Cannot fly higher than 10,000 feet above sea level. |
| Large, complex set of rules to keep pilot and trike in compliance. |
Ultralight: Pros
| No pilot certification or re-certification required. |
| No trike certification or inspections required. |
| Can fly up to 18,000 feet above sea level. |
| Smaller, more easily understood set of rules. |
Ultralight: Cons
| Maximum empty weight for trike of less than 254 pounds. |
| Maximum fuel capacity 5 gallons. |
| Maximum level-flight cruise speed 55 knots. |
| Cannot carry a passenger. |
| Cannot fly into airports with a control tower without prior permission. |
| Cannot fly over congested areas. |
Which should you choose, Ultralight or Sport Pilot?
First, you should be aware that if you decide to earn a Sport Pilot license, you are not giving up your ability to fly as an ultralight pilot. When anyone flies a trike that fits the definition of an ultralight, they are flying under the ultralight set of rules, whether or not they also hold a Sport Pilot license, Private Pilot license, Recreational Pilot license, etc. So the question is not "which set of rules should I choose?" The question is "Does Sport Pilot offer me advantages that make it worth the time and cost to earn the license?" Ultralight pilots can only fly trikes that fit the definition of an ultralight. Sport Pilots can flip back and forth between the two set of rules, depending on what type of trike they are flying.
A trike, however, cannot flip back and forth between the two sets of rules. When you buy a trike, you will have to decide if you want to fly it as an ultralight or as a Light Sport Aircraft, and you will have to shop for a trike that fits the definition of the rule you choose. A trike that was once flown as an ultralight can be converted to a Light Sport Aircraft (if the transition is completed before 1/31/08), but once a trike is registered as a Light Sport Aircraft it can never again be flown as an ultralight.
If you're not sure which set of rules fits your desires for flying, then the best suggestion we can make is -- don't decide yet! As you progress through your training you will start to get a feel for the type of flying that most interests you, and you will start to form an opinion on which set of rules matches your interests. Once you start to form this opinion, your instructor can tailor your training to meet the requirements of that set of rules. All of your training time will count toward both the ultralight and Sport Pilot requirements.
Training Materials
Sport Pilot students and ultralight students will need the following materials:
| Item | From | Price | |
| Ultralight Pilot Candidate Package - Trike | USUA | 75.00 | |
|
--- or all of the below --- |
|||
| Weight Shift Control Aviation Handbook | USUA | 45.00 | |
| Pilot and Aircraft Log and Reference Guide | USUA | 8.00 |
Sport Pilot students will also need the following materials (optional for ultralight students):
| Item | From | Price | |
| Sport Pilot Student Kit -
Weight Shift
Includes training and test prep materials |
Adventure Productions | 368.45 or 435.40 | |
|
--- or all of the below --- |
|||
| FAR/AIM for the current year | Adventure Productions | 16.95 | |
| Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge | Adventure Productions | 29.95 | |
| CX-2 or E6-B Flight Computer | Adventure Productions | 79.95 or 12.95 | |
| Ultimate Fixed Plotter | Adventure Productions | 12.95 | |
| Denver Sectional Map | Any area airport with FBO | 8.00 |
Earning your Credentials
When you complete your training you will have the opportunity to earn your FAA Sport Pilot certificate. If you decide to fly as an ultralight pilot, you are not legally required to register with any organization.
To earn an FAA Sport Pilot Certificate the following requirements apply:
| At least 16 years old to fly solo. |
| At least 17 years old to earn Sport Pilot Certificate. |
| Able to read, speak, write, and understand English (exceptions for medical conditions may be allowed). |
| Valid U.S. driver's license, or a valid third class medical certificate. |
| Obtain Student Pilot Certificate |
| At least 15 hours of flight instruction. |
| At least 5 hours of solo flight. |
| Receive cross-country training and perform a cross-country flight while flying solo |
| Receive the necessary ground instruction. |
| Pass a written knowledge test conducted by an authorized FAA testing center. |
| Complete at least 3 hours of flight training with a CFI to prepare for practical test |
| Pass an oral and flight test administered by an FAA examiner. |
Our Credentials
Weight shift CFIS, DPE (SPE).
Proficiency Checks and Practical Tests
We are able to conduct examinations for weight shift control land proficiency checks and practical tests. If you're thinking of adding weight shift privileges to an existing pilot's license, please give us a call to prepare for, or schedule, a proficiency test.
If you're a student pilot, we can help you get ready for your checkride (practical test), or we can conduct a practical test for you. If you successfully pass your practical test we can issue you your Temporary Airman Certificate.
Need a Student Pilot License?
We need to see you in person, but the requirements are simple. Just make sure you can read, write, speak, and understand English, and bring a valid photo I.D. By the way, a Student Pilot License allows you to train in any type of aircraft, not just weight shift (trikes).
Rates
| Introductory Flight | $175 |
| Flight Instruction - Our Trike | $145 / Hour |
| Flight Instruction - Your Trike | $75 / Hour |
| Ground School | $55 / Hour |
| Weight Shift Proficiency Test | $375 |
| Weight Shift Check Ride (Practical Test) | $375 |
| Student Pilot License | $50 |
| Flight Review | $250 |
Prices subject to change.
Gift certificates are available. (Non-Refundable)
Referrals to Other Instructors
For hang gliding or paragliding in the front range area we recommend that you contact Mark Windsheimer at Airtime Above.
If you are located close to Colorado Springs and want to fly a trike we recommend that you contact Tracy Tomlinson at 719-440-7864, or tmtomlinson#msn.com (To reduce automated spam sent to our email, we've used a # sign in the email address listed here. Please replace the # sign with an @ sign when sending an actual email. Thanks!).
To learn to fly Light Sport airplanes, we recommend Skyraider Aviation located at Erie Municipal Airport.
To learn to fly powered parachutes, or for trikes in south western Colorado, we recommend Wiley Wales.
If you live in a different area, or if you would like to learn to fly a different type of aircraft, visit the EAA Sport Pilot website for a list of instructors.
