Coast-to-Coast Training Flight Delivers Quality Time

Dan Pimentel

Friday, February 04, 2022 at 09:36 AM ET

Verified

Student pilot Lily Lytle tries on the flight jacket of her proud grandpa, Rich Lytle. [Courtesy: Rich Lytle]

Key Takeaways:

Rich Lytle and his 17-year-old granddaughter Lily completed an unconventional 2,100 nm cross-country flight from Florida to California in a light sport aircraft.
The journey served as intensive, real-world flight training for Lily, helping her accrue 29 hours of experience and prepare for her sport pilot certificate.
They successfully navigated numerous challenges during the trip, including severe weather, an autopilot failure, a near mid-air drone collision, and an airport power outage.
Beyond the training, the flight created a unique and cherished bonding experience between the grandfather and granddaughter.

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Usually, when a pilot sits down to flight plan a cross-country trip of 2,100 nm from one coast of the U.S. to the other, there is a Cirrus SR22 or Pilatus PC-12 involved. If that planned route takes you from Naples, Florida, to Riverside, California, over several days and through all sorts of weather, flying the trip in a light sport airplane is not something many people would even consider.

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When certified flight instructor Rich Lytle’s granddaughter, Lily Lytle, suggested she airline to Florida and learn to fly Rich’s 2010 PiperSport LSA on the very long XC back to the West Coast, Rich thought the idea made perfect sense. Not only would the trip be fun, it would also serve as training for Lily as she pursues her sport pilot certificate.