On the flight training biz: Thanx for the advice. One of the local
schools trains on Pipers, another Cessnas. I'm over 6' too, and the old
152 i trained in years back doesn't leave an awful lot of head room or leg
room. I've never been in a Piper before. Cessna bills its Skylane as a
"stable, easy to fly" machine. Do you think that's true, and how would
the Piper compare?

The Skylane (Cessna 182) is a fine bird, but it's also a high-performance
plane, not generally used for primary training. Not to say that it can't be
done, but the per-hour rate on a Skylane is much higher than a 150/152.

Unless, by chance, did you mean a Skyhawk? That's a 172, and is often used
as a primary flight trainer. Good plane, very stable, low-powered, but
that's okay -- you can't get into too much trouble that way. It's a lot
roomier inside than a 152, being a 4-seater, and is more along the lines of
the Pipers I was recommending.

I trained in a Piper Cherokee 140, which they don't make anymore. Many
people train in a Piper Warrior (a "stretched" Cherokee 140), which is still
in production and is basically a Cessna 172 with the wing on the bottom.
Personally, I like riding on TOP of the wing, rather than hanging beneath
it -- but that's just a personal preference.

Either plane will give you more head/shoulder room than a 150/152, but will
cost commensurately more per hour to operate. I think the few extra bucks
per hour are worth not having to lay on top of your instructor -- unless
she's good looking... ;-)

(I'll be good (not that I won't ever go after the nefarious Phil Boyer
anymore); the rest of the group can thank Jay!)

Jeez, don't be too good -- who will we have to abuse? ;-) Seriously, over
time I think you will find pilots to be an outstanding group of people, for
the most part. Not to say that every group doesn't have bad apples, but
they are few and far between at airports, in my experience. Not only are
pilots my best friends, but I've built a business plan around them -- and
haven't been disappointed yet.

In closing, getting your pilot's certificate will be unlike anything you've
ever accomplished before -- I urge you to do it! That certificate, for me,
is far more significant and meaningful than my high school diploma, my
college degree, or any award or title of won, before or since.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"