Hello the campfire:
Last March I had five cardiac by-passes. needless to say this has put a crimp in my 3d class medical. I want to get back into flying again, and am interseted in the new sport licence. Anyone on here doing anything with this? I had my surgery just before I was to solo, have not been denyed my medical, but it has expired and I have not renewed becauwse of the problems involved.
I mostly want to be able to get back in the air from time to time.
Judge Sharpe

Here is what I'd suggest how to get back into the cockpit:

http://www.soar-mgsa.org/

If you do not have a license yet, try getting your glider certificate first and then a sport pilot add on.

It has been quite a while since I was involved in soaring, but way back when it was a way all the old guys could keep flying, so I suspect you'll find a group sympathetic to your cause.

With what you have described, I'd be afraid if you went back for a sport pilot cold-turkey you'd have a chicken-little or two that might try to snitch on you, or at least discourage you from pursuing a dream. (PS screw those kinda people and keep living life!)

Also, soaring is a blast, you'll like it.

Here, one can be pretty ill and still keep a license of some sort. You may have to only fly with an instructor, but pick out a good looking one, and let them do the worrying.

I agree gliding could be a good alternate, but I don't quite see the Judge strapped to a hang-glider. Maybe a powered ultra-light, cap on backwards, cigar stub clenched in teeth . . .

Judge
Depending on your withes for flying a Part 103 Ultralight (if they still exist after Light Sort clas created) might be the way to go.
I think it would be fun for purely recreational flying.
If you do remember ladning are FLYING all the way to the ground! Er ah touchdown.

I think the Sport pilot deal is the way to go. I have a 172 and a Champ. The Champ is LSA eligible and I have seriously thought about getting rid of the 172 and go Sport pilot only. For most of the flying I do it is all I need. Luckily my Champ is LSA and has a 0-235 in it so it preforms spectacularly. My own little bush plane. I keep it at my farm where I have a 1000 ft strip. I would stay away from ultralights unless you are only flying on super nice days. Not much there and they really get tossed around in a little breeze.

I havn't flown since June of 1980. My experience is low, about 116 hours if even that, but I got to fly just about all the fixed pitch and gear 152, 172, Cherokee 2 and 4 places models plus my Grumman Cheetah 26079.

A possible problem is a blown retinal wall inmy left eye, courtesy of failure to warn me of the consequences of the symptoms I had plus being told by the VA "to come back in two months" when they had someone to see me.

I wound up with 20-360 or so vision but the condition improved a bit and while myvision is reduced there is nopain. Thois condition is not an impediment to a private pilot medical.

Having the equipment, having long been a reader on the subject and as well a modeler I have a long knowledge of theory and practice in flying.
I decided to explore the homebuilt route as I long ago began picking up the smallest snowmobile engines used on the earliest and lightest aircraft. That would be Sachs singles in 292, 297, and 336 displacements, an early Kawasaki 440, plus a VW 4 cyl. I can always buy something more dedicated to the task whether a commercial conversion or a dedicated engine. My plans are for a lighter heavier ultralight built as a "certificated" homebuilt where I have some com and nav gear amd decent range. I am studying some well established basic one-man wood designs.

Thanks for all of the ideas and encouragment. I have found an instructer with a Cub who will help me get back in the saddle.

I have no problem with a Cub or other small Plane, except that I weigh in at 230 and stand about 6 feet on a good day. Thi is another incentive to get back in to fighting trim again.LOL
Judge Sharpe