Jon Woellhaf wrote:
: wrote
: ...
: I am early in my training and have not even soloed yet. I would not
: even consider buying anything until after I have earned my
: certificate.

: Why not? I bought my 182 before I had my Private.

It's the cheapest way to learn to fly. Of course it comes with the normal issues of plane ownership (education
before purchase, maintenance, chance of having large annual expenses, etc). Ignoring those as "things you would have to
learn anyway," the only drawback is having a few more things to consider during your training if your plane has issues.
Otherwise, there are lots of plusses... you can fly *A LOT* more on your student license because the direct cost per hour is
much lower. You come to know one plane very well rather than swapping around different rentals. You will be putting lots of
hours on in a short period of time... good for an airplane. etc, etc.

Although I rented for my private ticket, I spent the last half of it looking for a plane to buy (with 2 other
partners). By the time we'd found one, it was simply easier to prepare for my checkride than to get checked out in my own
plane (I was flying 172's and bought a PA-28-180). If I had to do it over again, I'd buy a plane (maybe with a partner or
two again) and learn to fly it. Spending $1k on fuel and oil is setter than wasting $4k-$6k on rentals.

The posters who've said, "you don't know what you want" are right to a degree as well. As a student pilot, many are
often happy to have anything that will get them in the air. Talking with other pilots and owners will help make your
decision. Besides.... if you buy a Cherokee for $30-35k, put 150-200 hours on it in 1-2 years and get your ticket in it,
it's not worth much less than it was when you bought it except the maintenance you had to do on it.

-Cory


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* Cory Papenfuss, Ph.D., PPSEL-IA *
* Electrical Engineering *
* Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University *
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