| Someone once said, "Someday your whole life will | | | | inspections, but most, like Ted, are interested in starting |
| flash before your eyes. Make sure it's worth watching." | | | | their own full time or even part time business. And |
| | | | | after participants earn their LSRM certificate their |
| Along the same lines, I read somewhere that about | | | | businesses comprise yet again an incredible, diverse |
| half of all people don't really like their jobs. And I | | | | community. |
| thought, "What a waste of a life that is to get up | | | | For example, Clyde Poser owner of Rule Aviation |
| every morning and do something that you really don't | | | | Services in Buckeye, WA is a retired airline captain. |
| like." So it is exciting to work with people who sign up | | | | Clyde used the LSRM certificate as a stepping stone |
| for the 3 week long- 120 hour Light Sport Repairman | | | | to earn his DAR authorization (designated aircraft |
| Maintenance Course to start their own business, | | | | representative), he then used his LSRM and DAR |
| usually as a second career. | | | | certificates to qualify to become a contract instructor |
| There are few occasions when a great opportunity | | | | for the 2 day Repairman courses. He also offers both |
| crosses our path, and it is rarely when the timing is just | | | | powered parachute and weight shift flight instruction, |
| right. So with great enthusiasm that both timing and | | | | so he gave flight lessons while attending the three |
| opportunity were merging, Ted Finck signed up for | | | | week course in California. “There's almost an |
| Rainbow Aviation’s Light Sport Repairman | | | | advantage in some respects to waiting until mid-life to |
| Course offered in November 2008. | | | | make a significant career change because often |
| While the course itself is an incredible opportunity, Ted | | | | times,” Clyde explains, “the experience you |
| capitalized on the initial investment by adding the | | | | had in your previous career can be utilized and can |
| Powered Parachute and Weight shift modules. | | | | benefit the next chapter in your life.” |
| “These two modules just added a week to my trip, | | | | As you might have guessed most participants have |
| for a total of four weeks. But with the added ratings, I | | | | high expectations for their businesses. Mike Zidziunas |
| have tripled my customer base.” | | | | ( known as Mike Z.) is no different. Mike is a sport pilot |
| But Ted went one step further, taking advantage of | | | | instructor and realized early on that light sport was |
| the opportunity to earn his Powered Parachute | | | | going to be the future of aviation so he earned his |
| Instructor’s certificate at the same time. “It was | | | | LSRM in August of 2006. “I was not prepared, |
| a great opportunity. Morris Yoder and Lee Woodriff | | | | however, for the incredible opportunities the certificate |
| were also taking the repairman course at the same | | | | would offer.” And Mike is taking full advantage of |
| time and are both powered parachute instructors. So | | | | those opportunities. He has opened a Rotax Service |
| we would train in the morning before class, in the | | | | Center, he works with manufacturers assembling |
| evenings after class and on weekends. I took my | | | | SLSA aircraft and he plans to expand his business by |
| practical exam with Morris Yoder on the last week of | | | | becoming an A & P mechanic. Maintenance is |
| the course and left with not only my Repairman | | | | Mike’s primary focus and he will soon be able to |
| Maintenance Certificate for airplane, weight shift and | | | | include Amateur-Built aircraft inspections to the list of |
| powered parachute and my Rotax repairman service | | | | services he offers. |
| level certification, but also my powered parachute | | | | On the other hand, Aldo Sibi, who earned his LSRM in |
| instructor certificate. | | | | May of 2006, works full time for Indus Aircraft. He is |
| Course participants comprise an incredible, diverse | | | | the Manager and Director of Production and the head |
| community, attending the course for a variety of | | | | of Research and Development. He has made over 56 |
| reasons. Some owners take the course to maintain | | | | modifications to the Thorpedo design and has |
| and inspect their own SLSA aircraft, some participants | | | | protyped and built the first Thorpedo Diesel engine |
| are already airframe and powerplant mechanics, | | | | airframe combo. Like mIke, Alod is also in the process |
| others are aircraft manufacturers, and some are | | | | of becoming an A & P mechanic. |
| instructors who want to perform their own 100 hour | | | | |