On Tuesday, September 15, 2015 at 10:43:14 PM UTC-6, bumper wrote:
On Tuesday, September 15, 2015 at 11:58:18 AM UTC-7, wrote:

My options appear to be a Tomahawk or the like with a CFIG, or maybe an Aviat Husky taildragger with a CFI. I think landings with the CFIG sounds like good practice for me, the instructor will probably be able to help replicate glider landings like Cindy suggested.

Cheers,
J

I have an Aviat Husky and would recommend it over the Tomahawk - with reservations. The Husky is relatively complex compared to most training aircraft. Perhaps more importantly, the instructor, unless built like a spidermonkey, will not have a great view of the instrument panel or access to controls save for stick, rudder, throttle transmit button, and slapping the backside of your head. Everything else will be your baby; mixture, prop, mags, flaps, all radio gear, engine monitoring, etc. This can present quite a load to a beginning student pilot who's active brain cells will often be near saturation learning to start the engine and taxi safely. I've heard a few instructors make unfavorable remarks re. the Husky's suitability as a primary trainer due to this.

I will say that if you learn to fly the Husky with finesse, you should be able to step into most any single engine with a minimum of fuss. Not because the Husky is all that difficult, it's an honest plane, but it isn't a pussycat. Oh, and for shear fun it'll spoil you for most other power planes!

The Husky should be fine to get some time in. It will be tandem seating and a stick like the glider. A Good CFI will be able to minimize the amount of extra work you have to do in the front seat. You will have to start the engine, but if you are not at a busy airport you should not be having to be changing radio frequency's, The CFI can minimize the Prop control changes needed. I wouldn't recommend flying from the back as you will get a better sight picture and reference to the instruments from the front seat. The CFI should be fine flying from the back seat. He might want to you fly the 1st flight from the back seat just to see how you handle it, but after that I would expect you to fly from the front.

Brian
CFIIG/ASEL