Johnny is a Sport Pilot, FAA Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) and Sport Pilot Examiner (SPE) for Weight-Shift Control Land (WSCL). Johnny is an EAA member and is our chapter secretary.  Johnny owns and operates Thunderbird Aviation.


Johnny Wayne Warren and his Topdog 582

Thunderbird Aviation is a year around training center devoted to extensive ultralight trike and Sport Pilot Weight-Shift Control training. Located in beautiful Cortez, Colorado, we are 45 miles West of Durango CO and 35 miles East of the Four Corners Monument where Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico meet (better known as the four corners). Mesa Verde National Park overlooks the valley. Weather permitting, we fly every weekend (sat and sun) and most weekdays in Cortez and surrounding areas. Be sure to call ahead for reservations.

If you want the closest experience possible to your childhood flying dreams, then a Light Sport Weight-Shift trike flight is a great way. If you can drive your car on our highways at 75 miles per hour, then surely we can safely train you to fly a trike at 45 mph. Weight-Shift aircraft are capable of speeds 45-80 mph. The trike is one of the safest ways to fly. It has a great track record. The trike is a very easy aircraft to fly, it's portable, and setup time is 25 min or less for most trikes. The trike can fit in the back of a truck or trailer and you can easily take it on vacation.

One benefit of the Weight-Shift trike is you can land it almost anywhere and in short distances. The trike performs well in light winds. The weight-shift trike can go up to 200 miles on one tank of gas, depending on motor, wing, fuel tank capacity and trike loading.

There are many other life changing events to experience when flying a trike. You can see things that you normally don't see with conventional flying. Trike flight is exhilarating from start to finish.

Photos from Johnny Wayne Warren
on our website:
 Light Sport Photos
 Monument Valley Fly-Out '08

Click on a link below for more information.

CONTACT INFORMATION
REQUIRED FOR THUNDERBIRD AVIATION SPORT PILOT PROGRAM
RECOMMENDED MATERIALS
GENERAL WEIGHT-SHIFT INFORMATION
TRAINING RATES
FLIGHT TEST RATES
SPORT PILOT TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
SPORT PILOT REQUIREMENTS
PRIVATE PILOT (weight-shift) REQUIREMENTS
SPORT PILOT CFI REQUIREMENTS
LIGHT SPORT AIRCRAFT (LSA)
LSA MAINTENANCE
THE SPORT PILOT KNOWLEDGE TEST (WRITTEN TEST)
THE SPORT PILOT PRACTICAL TEST
KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENTS

CONTACT INFORMATION

Thunderbird Aviation
PO Box 717
Cortez, CO  81321
970-759-3444
email me

REQUIRED FOR THUNDERBIRD AVIATION SPORT PILOT TRAINING

RECOMMENDED MATERIALS

  • "Learn to Fly an Ultralight Trike" by Paul Hamilton

  • "Weather to Fly 2" DVD by Adventure Productions —  an excellent way to learn about weather as it relates to light aircraft operations.

  • "Comm1 VFR Radio Simulator" by Comm1 — an interactive computer program that allows you to practice your radio procedures on the ground.  It's fun and it's easy.

  • "Deep Inside your Rotax 2 Cycle Engine" DVD by HomebuiltHELP.com — an excellent look inside your 2-stroke engine.  It will give you a better understanding of how your aircraft's engine is put together and what can go wrong with it if not maintained properly.  Should be required viewing for all 2-stroke pilots.



 GENERAL WEIGHT-SHIFT INFORMATION

During the many years that trikes have been flown around the world they have earned the reputation of being the safest and most economic form of recreational aviation available. Trike flight in the USA has grown at a slower pace because of ultralight flight rules. Now that the Sport Pilot license has been approved by the FAA and a new classification for Light Sport Aircraft, the Trike industry is expecting a huge migration to this exciting segment of aviation.

Strict standards mean that this type of aircraft is as strong and in some cases stronger than conventional or General Aviation aircraft.

With the flight characteristics of no discernable stall, nearly impossible to spin and no moving parts other than the hang block between the trike and the wing; all turns become self coordinating, which makes a trike as safe, as it is fun to fly.  Trikes handle rough air as well as a 3-axis aircraft, give a smoother flight and will out maneuver 3-axis aircraft.  Transportation and storage is where trikes really excel as aircraft.

Book an introductory flight and have the time of your life.  We have all dreamed of flight at some time, but to experience for yourself the thrill of soaring through the air with the greatest of ease is something very special indeed.  Every pilot knows this feeling and everyone one who has ever taken an introductory flight will never forget it.



TRAINING RATES

Thunderbird Aviation training rates are $120/hour for flight training (discounted to $95/hr for bookings of 10 hours or more) and $65/hr for ground.  Lessons average 1 to 1.5 hours (30 minutes ground and 30-60 minutes flight).  Johnny Warren is a FAA Certified Sport Pilot instructor (SP-CFI) and a Sport Pilot Examiner.

New pilots usually need between 15 to 20 hours before solo. Experienced pilots often need about 5 to 7 hours before the special controls of a trike become second nature. All training at Thunderbird takes place in two seat, Topdog 582 trike, equipped with dual controls, seats and seat belts keep you feeling secure, while special RAD helmets and intercom allow clear communication with your instructor in the back seat.

FLIGHT TEST RATES

Sport Pilot Proficiency & Practical Test Prep $120/hr for flight training,  $65/hr for ground.  Expect 3 hours of flight training (required by FAA) and 2-3 hours of ground.

Sport Pilot Proficiency Check ride $300 for the test plus $95/hr for the aircraft.

Sport Pilot Practical Test $300 for the test plus $95/hr for the aircraft.

SP-CFI Proficiency Check ride $300 for the test plus $95/hr for the aircraft.

SPORT PILOT TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

Bring a photo ID (driver's license) and a passport or a Birth Certificate along with a passport size photograph to prove US Citizenship as required by Transport Security Administration (TSA)

If you are not a US citizen and do not already have a FAA license, bring a copy of the TSA background clearance and a passport sized photograph. This is required before we can start training you.

Be prepared take guidance and learn from your instructor.  250 pounds max. is the weight limit for Student Pilots.  If you have "any" medical or physical issues, please discuss those with us before hand.

SPORT PILOT REQUIREMENTS

A sport pilot must be at least 17 years old and 16 to solo for powered aircraft.

Summary of the minimum required flight experience to be a sport pilot:

Weight -Shift (trike): 20 hours total, 50 miles solo cross country

Additional instruction and an instructor's logbook endorsement for each new make and model or "set".

A sport pilot must have additional training and a one-time logbook endorsement to fly a LSA that has a max speed in a cruise configuration (Vh) greater than 87 knots (100 MPH).

Weight-shift control are divided into "land" and "sea" classes.

Pilots will be allowed to take a practical test (flight test) in a single seat LSA. The examiner will observe the pilot from the ground. The pilot will have a "single-seat" limitation on his certificate.

Sport pilot must take a biennial flight review (BFR).

Drivers License or third class medical, except if FAA has denied, revoked, suspended. If you hold a valid special medical your medical has not been denied.

A sport pilot may not fly above 10,000 feet MSL.

No night flying.

A sport pilot may fly in airspace where radio communication with ATC is required, but only with additional training and a logbook endorsement.

PRIVATE PILOT (weight-shift) REQUIREMENTS

Powered parachute: 25 hours total, including 3 hours of night flight, and a 25 mile solo cross country

Weight-shift: 40 hours total, including 3 hours of night flying with a 75 mile night cross country, and a 100 mile solo cross country

Night flight requirements may be avoided with “Night Limitation”. (night not required for Sport Pilot)

May demonstrate LSA for sale if a "salesman."

Allowed to tow gliders with qualification.

May fly above 10,000 feet MSL

Authorized flight in Class A, B, C, and D airspace with properly equipped aircraft.

SPORT PILOT CFI REQUIREMENTS

18 years of age

Knowledge exams on aeronautics and fundamental of instruction

Practical test

Must hold a sport pilot certificate or higher rating.

A sport pilot CFI may teach private pilot weight-shift or private pilot powered parachute if the sport pilot CFI has at least a private pilot certificate with the appropriate rating.

Required flight time:
Airplane: 150 hours total time, 25 hours of cross country
Glider: 25 hours flight time
Gyroplane: 125 hours flight time (at least 50 hours in a gyroplane) and 10 hours cross country
Weight-shift: 150 hours total (50 in weight-shift,) 25 hours cross country
Powered parachute: 100 hours total (50 in a powered parachute,) 15 hours cross country
5 hours in the same make and model "set"
The sport pilot instructor must renew his flight instructor's certificate every two years.

An ultralight instructor must transition to sport pilot CFI by January 31, 2008 if he wants credit for his ultralight flight time

Prospective Sport Pilot Examiners must attend a 5-day FAA course.

LIGHT SPORT AIRCRAFT (LSA)

The maximum gross weight is 1,320 pounds. Aircraft operated on water can weigh 1,430 pounds.

The stall speed not greater than 45 knots (51.8 MPH),

Max speed in a cruise configuration (Vh): 120 knots (138 MPH).

LSA can have a fixed or ground adjustable propeller.

Seaplanes or gliders can have repositionable gear (move one time in-flight.

A LSA can have only one engine (reciprocating, rotary, diesel)

Hang gliders, powered and unpowered paragliders are specifically excluded from being LSA, and a Sport Pilot certificate does not allow a sport pilot to fly a tandem hang glider or tandem paraglider.

SLSA - New aircraft can be manufactured and sold ready-to-fly under the new Special Light-Sport Aircraft (SLSA) certification without FAR Part 23 compliance. Aircraft must meet ASTM consensus standards. Aircraft under this certification may be used for sport and recreation, and for compensation to conduct towing, flight training, and aircraft rental.

Kit Built ELSA - Newly manufactured aircraft can be FAA certificated as an Experimental Light-Sport Aircraft (ELSA) if kit- or plans-built. Aircraft under this certification may be used only for sport and recreation and flight instruction for the owner of the aircraft.

ELSA - Transitioning aircraft can be FAA certificated as an Experimental Light-Sport Aircraft (ELSA) if it was kit or plans-built and operated as an ultralight trainer. Registration must be completed on or before January 31, 2008 with Certification complete before January 31, 2010.

Will have FAA registration-"N" number.

Aircraft category and class includes: Airplane (Land/Sea), Gyroplane, Airship, Balloon, Weight-Shift-Control (Trike Land/Sea), and Powered Parachute.

U.S. or foreign manufacture of light-sport aircraft is authorized.

Aircraft with a standard airworthiness certificate that meet above specifications may be flown by sport pilots. However, that airworthiness certification category will not be changed to a light-sport aircraft. Holders of a sport pilot certificate may fly an aircraft with a standard airworthiness certificate if it meets the definition of a light-sport aircraft.

LSA MAINTENANCE

"Preventative maintenance" is allowed by owner on a special LSA.

“Owner maintenance” is allowed on experimental LSA.

16-hour maintenance course allows owner to do annual inspections on their experimental LSA.

If you want to do maintenance-for-hire on the special light-sport aircraft, you must attend a maintenance course (class specific) of 80 hours for gliders and lighter-than-air aircraft, 120 hours for airplanes and 104 hours for weight-shift (trikes) and powered parachutes.

An applicant for an LSA repairman certificate can add the applicable modules for each additional class of LSA

Maintenance on SLSA must be performed in accordance with the general aviation standards of FAR Part 43, with some exceptions.

Approval by the manufacturer for SLSA modification, not FAA STC.

Prospective Designated Airworthiness Representatives for LSA (LS DARs) who inspect and issue experimental and special LSA airworthiness certificates must attend a three-day FAA course.

DATES TO TAKE NOTICE OF

January 31, 2008

Ultralight two-seat training exemption expires. All Ultralight  BFI Certification expires, and must be FAA certified as a CFI to instruct.

January 31, 2010

Last day to be able to use a two-place training vehicle converted to an experimental LSA as a sport pilot trainer for compensation.

THE SPORT PILOT KNOWLEDGE TEST (WRITTEN TEST)

The Written Test is taken at a FAA approved computer test facility. Once you qualify for the test, you will need to review and practice for the test. There are several good study and support guides. They include books to study and software to simulate the tests and allow extensive practice.

Schedule and take the written test at a FAA computer test facility. These results are required to take the practical test and are good for two years.

THE SPORT PILOT PRACTICAL TEST

The practical test can be taken with a FAA examiner if it can be coordinated, however, usually the check ride will be with a Designated Pilot Examiner who is a designee doing the job for FAA.

Light Sport Designated Pilot Examiners are listed on the FAA web site http:/afs600.faa.gov. Seek out a DPE for your type and coordinate the examination. Some DPEs do not have aircraft available so be careful to make sure an appropriate aircraft is available for the check ride.

If you N number your aircraft, make sure that it is properly documented and can carry the total weight required to complete the check ride.

THE SPORT PILOT PRACTICAL TEST  (KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENTS)

In order to prepare individuals for the Sport Pilot Practical test, the FAA wants its Pilot Examiners to ensure that the applicant will be safe in the Nation Airspace and that they will be operating within FAA regulations.  To this end the FAA wants to ensure that you know about:

  1. Yourself, the pilot

  2. The environment that  you will be flying in

  3. The aircraft that you will be flying

The entire practical test is covered in the Practical Test Standard (PTS) published by the FAA and used by every Pilot examiner to administer the test.  USE THE PRATICAL TEST STANDARDS (PTS) TO PREPARE FOR THE PRACTICAL TEST.  The following questions are a sampling of the kinds of questions that you could be required to answer.  There is a lot of misinformation circulating in the industry right now.  Make sure that you can answer these questions and that the answers are from a reputable source.  Ideally, this information would be obtained from the CFI that is recommending you for the practical test.

Yourself, the pilot

  • Be sure that you know the privileges and limitations listed in 61.315

  • What documents must a pilot carry to operate an LSA

  • Do you need anything special to carry a passenger in an LSA

  • How do you show that you are current as a sport pilot

  • What is a flight review, how often do you need one, what does it consist of

  • Is it possible to operate a LSA without a drivers license

  • What information are you required to record in your pilot logbook

  • Explain the symptoms and remedies for the various aero medical conditions

  • When you pass this practical test, what ratings will be placed on your sport pilot certificate

  • What factors establish your wind limitations

  • Why is it a good idea to call a briefer before going on long flights

  • What are the most important factors in determining a go/no-go decision

  • Be able to teach a pre-flight inspection

  • Be able to explain a wing assembly

  • Be able to name the aircraft components

  • What are the altitude minimums for demonstrating steep turns, power off stalls, and slow flight

  • What are the altitude minimums for demonstrating turns around a point, rectangular turns,  and S-turns

  • If shoulder harnesses are installed in the aircraft, must you use them

  • Explain proper taxi technique for taxiing in windy conditions

  • What is your before-takeoff checklist

  • Explain cross-wind takeoff technique

  • Explain cross-wind landing

  • Explain lost procedures

  • Where do I find the accident reporting requirements of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

  • How soon after an in-flight fire must I notify the NTSB

  • How soon after an in-flight fire must I file a report with the NTSB

  • In what part of the FAR do I find definitions

  • What is part 61 of the FAR

  • What is part 91 of the FAR

  • In which part and chapter of the FAR are the Sport Pilot regulations located

  • What is the AIM and what is its purpose

  • What is an FAA advisory circular and what is its purpose

The Flying Environment

  • What are the VFR minimum visibility requirements for B,C,D,E, and G airspace?

  • What are the cloud clearance requirements for B,C,D,E, and G airspace?

  • What is the rule for flying over densely populated areas?

  • What is the rule for flying over unpopulated areas?

  • What is wind gradient

  • What is density altitude, how does temperature and humidity effect it

  • What are the types of navigation

  • Explain the dimensions of class B,C, and D airspace

  • What is a mode C veil

  • When does night start and end

  • What kind of weather would you expect at a cold or a warm front

  • What is the relationship between barometric pressure and weather

  • What is a gust front

  • Explain the precautions taken around terrain in windy conditions

  • What is pressure altitude

  • Explain the types of special use airspace and their associated restrictions

  • What communication and nav equipment do I need on board the aircraft to operate in class B,C,D,E,and G of airspace?

  • Can I fly under the 10 mi shelf of a class C (in class G) but outside the 5 mi radius without a radio or Mode C transponder?

  • Can I fly above class C airspace (in class E) without a radio or mode C transponder?

  • Can I fly inside ‘mode C veil’ (in class G) but outside class B airspace without a Mode C transponder?

  • What is a standard emergency frequency

  • What is a standard air to air frequency

  • What is a TFR and where would I find notification that one exists?

  • What is a METAR, TAF, SIGMET, AIRMET, AWOS,ATIS, EFAS

  • Be able to simulate the filing of a flight plan

  • Be able to identify airspace and features on a sectional

  • For cross-country’s be able to calculate time in route and required fuel

  • What is CTAF and UNICOM

  • What color are taxi lights

  • What color are runway lights

  • What does a ‘hold short’ line look like and what are the rules for its use

  • What is the default traffic pattern at an uncontrolled airport

  • How do you enter a traffic pattern

  • How can you tell that an airport is closed

The Aircraft

  • What is an ELSA and a SLSA

  • Who can work on an ELSA that is being used for training

  • Who can work on an ELSA that is not being used for training

  • Who can work on a SLSA

  • What aircraft need an annual inspection

  • What aircraft need a 100 hour inspection

  • Who can perform the annual inspection on an ELSA that is being used for training

  • Who can perform the annual inspection on an ELSA that is not being used for training

  • Who can perform the 100 hour inspection on an ELSA that is being used for training

  • Who can perform the annual inspection on a SLSA

  • Who can perform the 100 hour inspection on a SLSA

  • What documents must be on an LSA when it is flown

  • Does aircraft registration ever expire

  • What instruments are required to operate a LSA

  • What is a special flight permit, where do you get one

  • What information must you record in you aircraft logbook

  • What is the speed limit of your LSA

  • What information is contained in the operating limitations of your aircraft

  • Discuss the forces that are acting on an aircraft in flight?

  • Discuss why the Trike tends to turn (windmill) when climbing out at full throttle.

  • What is Angle of Attack

  • Explain the progression of a stall in a Weight-Shift wing.

  • Explain washout and how it effects stability 

  • Explain the purpose of the luff lines.

  • Explain washout in your wing

  • What is the difference between stability and controllability?

  • What is a Whip Stall?  How does it occur, and what is the recovery technique?

  • Explain what load factor is and what effect it has on a stall?

  • Explain the trim system and show how adjustments are made.

  • Explain the operation of the power plant.

  • Explain the coolant system.

  • What type of electrical system is used by this aircraft, magneto or capacitive discharge.  Explain the difference.

  • Explain the operation of the flight/engine instruments on this aircraft.  Assume that this is my first experience with a Trike, guide me through a preflight inspection

  • Who is responsible for ensuring that the aircraft is maintained in an airworthy condition

  • Where would you find a list of the allowable preventative maintenance that any pilot can perform on their aircraft

  • Can a pilot fly an  ELSA that has inoperative instruments

  • Can a pilot fly a SLSA that has inoperative instruments

  • What is the difference in an airworthiness directive (AD) and a service directive (SD)

  • Is compliance to AD’s required for ELSA
  • Is compliance to AD’s required for SLSA
  • Is compliance to SD’s required for ELSA
  • Is compliance to SD’s required for SLSA
  • Is an ELT required on a Weight-Shift aircraft
  • What is a Phase 1 flight test

  • If you change the wing on your trike, what logbook entries, aircraft documentation changes and flight testing are you required to perform

  • What is aerobatic flight, is it possible in a trike

  • Explain the following aircraft systems:

    • Landing gear
    • Braking system
    • Engine
    • Fuel system
    • Fuel pump
    • Carburetor
    • Ignition system
    • Choke system
    • Exhaust system
    • Electrical system
    • Oil system
    • Cooling system
    • Reduction drive
    • Propeller pitch adjustment
    • Ballistic parachute system
  • Explain the following instrument operation:
    • Airspeed
    • Altimeter
    • Rpm
    • Compass
    • Vertical airspeed indicator
    • GPS
    • Communication system

  • How is the weight-shift wing trimmed for different speeds

  • Explain the relationship between the wings hang point position and the control bar position in trim flight

  • Explain what happens to the control bar position when weight is added to the back seat

  • Have a quantitative understanding of the relationship between altitude, temperature, landing distance, and takeoff distance.  Example:  For every 20 degree F increase in temperature, how many feet would you add to your takeoff distance?

  • Have a quantitative understanding of the relationship between headwind component, tailwind component, landing distance and takeoff distance.  Example: For a 10mph tailwind, how many feet would you add to your landing distance.