On 2007-06-22 22:03:27 -0400, Jay Honeck said:

Just a word of caution Jay.

Big snip of lots of good advice

Thanks, Dudley. We're very much aware of this potential problem, and
will try to avoid it at all costs.

That's another (serious) reason I wanted him to train in a Cessna
150. It's different enough from our our plane that EVERYTHING will be
different, from the pre-flight checklist to the sight picture on final
approach.

That way whatever he's learning will be in a different context from
what he's seen in Atlas, and there can be no conflict. (At least
that's the theory.)

As far as his CFI, we have truly found a gem. He's an older
gentleman, deeply involved in flying and restoring classic aircraft
(he barnstorms with a 1929 Travel Air, and has participated in the
National Air Tour, as well as the American Barnstormers Tour), has
flown wildlife flights in the mountains in a Maule, and is genuinely
one of the nicest, most even-keeled guys I've ever met.

He's not building hours, and he doesn't need the money. He's just
doing it because he loves it -- and that's what Joe needs.

Sounds like you have the perfect combination going there Jay.
Your pick of a CFI sounds like just the right one for you.
The choice of the 150 is also in my opinion a good one as opposed to
the Cherokee.

I know you love Atlas and I have absolutely nothing against Cherokees
having taught in them many times, but for primary students,IF a choice
of a tricycle gear airplane is an option, I have always leaned heavily
toward steering people into the small Cessna's for initial training .
I have always liked the control setup on the Cessna's as opposed to the
Cherokees strictly when talking primary dual. I've found over time (a
lot of time really :-) that time spent in the control sensitive/ wind
sensitive 150's and 152's in the beginning has paid big dividends down
the line for students who learn in these airplanes, THEN transition
into the Cherokees .
Dudley Henriques