Toledo Buzzards Light Sport Aircraft Club
Toledo Buzzards Light Sport Aircraft Club is a not-for-profit flying club which operates at Toledo Executive Airport (KTDZ). To be a Toledo Buzzards member you must also be a member of EAA Chapter 582 (eaa582.org).
Members share costs through annual dues and hourly rates for use of the aircraft and instructors as needed. Instructors do not get paid. They donate their time to give instruction and the students ’ donation for flight instruction hours go into the club to continue operations. Members purchase their own fuel for flights.
Costs:
As of 5/1/2025|
Annual Dues: $250 per year Eaa 582 Dues: $50 per year Insurance (if required): ~$1000/yr or $275/quarter |
Instructor: $20 per hour |
| Aircraft: $20 - $35/hr + fuel, see below | |
Aircraft:
|
$20 per hour + Fuel (approx $15 per hour)
Pietenpol Aircamper |
$35 per hour + Fuel (approx $25 per hour)
Piper Cub |
$35 per hour + Fuel (approx $25 per hour)
Zenith Zodiac 601XLB |
Sport Pilot Rating
Toledo Buzzards members can receive training towards a Sport Pilot Rating. This is a summary of what goes into getting a Sport Pilot Rating as a Toledo Buzzards member.
A Sport Pilot Rating allows you to fly Light Sport Aircraft (LSA). Light Sport Aircraft are generally:
- Gross weight less than 1320 lbs (1430 lbs for seaplanes)
- Maximum of two seats
- Single engine
- Fixed pitch propeller
- Fixed landing gear
Examples: Piper Cub, Zenith Zodiac, Vans RV-12, Aeronca Champ, Aeronca Chief, Taylorcraft, Luscombe, Kitfox, etc.
As a Sport Pilot, you will have the following privileges and limitations (summarized):
You may:
- Fly with a passenger
- Fly only light-sport aircraft
- Fly without a medical certificate if you have a driver’s license
You may:
- not fly passengers or property for hire
- not carry more than one passenger
- not fly at night
- not fly without visual reference to the surface
Note: You may use your Sport Pilot training towards a Private Pilot certificate if you successfully obtain a Sport Pilot certificate.
Estimated Cost to Acquire a Sport Pilot Rating
As a member of Toledo Buzzards:
| 40 total hours (20 hours minimum required), $20 to $35 per hour for aircraft, + $15 to $25 per hours for fuel | ~$1900 |
| 22 hours with instructor, $20 per hour | $440 |
| Dues over 2 seasons, $250 per year | $500 |
| Insurance if required (2 seasons) | ~$2000 |
| Study guides: videos, books, test prep , etc. | $200 |
| Knowledge test | $200 |
| Practical test | $800 |
| Total: | between $4,200 to $6,200 |
Timeframe
Most students finish in one or two fun-filled, adventurous seasons if they are persistent.
Age Requirements
You may receive and log training at any age but you will need to reach the following ages to receive certain privileges: To get a student pilot certificate: 16 yrs old. To get your license / pilot certificate: 17 yrs old
