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#51
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First plane
I have to agree with Blanche, even though she appears to counter my
advice. I said that for most folks, trying to own a first airplane while learning to fly one may be a bit too much. She aptly pointed out one exception - when you have the excess cash. In that case, owning becomes a LOT easier. Whenever something is amiss with the plane, you simply flip the keys to the local FBO (or independent wrench) and say "fix 'er up". Not a lot of overhead in that. In my case, we were REALLY cash squeezed (new house with double the mortgage, modest income, both of us training at the same time, double the fuel, niggling repairs - that damned A/C system). With both of us going up 3 times a week, the instruction and fuel bill racked up an impressive total rather quickly. Dealing with the plane repairs was pretty distracting. If we had the dough, I would have never given it a second thought. I also strongly agree with her advice that most owner wannabees ignore - PATIENCE. As I have said many times, there is a lot of flying junk out there. You DON'T want one of those as a first airplane. Good Luck, Mike Blanche wrote: coming into the discussion rather late, but let me add a few data points. As Tim and Mike and others discuss, there are advantages to renting various aircraft before buying. On the other hand, far too many schools have just one model aircraft, so the student must either go to another school or wait until passing checkride to rent something else. While a student, I had the opportunity to fly C152, C172 and Cherokees (both 160 & 180 hp). Perhaps it's a gender thing, or just issues with aging, but I really never enjoyed the Cessna. Let us NOT get into the high-wing/low-wing argument (again) but for me, the advantage of not having to climb on the roof to check fuel and being able to see the airport when turning in the pattern were critical. As for dealing with both learning and owning, I really don't see much conflict. I solo'd in the C172, did the XCs in the C172 but bought the cherokee before the checkride -- and took the checkride in it. In all fairness, I had been looking for an aircraft for about a year (when you're working full-time, traveling extensively and dealing with 2 major family emergencies, flying gets in the way sometimes). I was not happy with the rental aircraft. Why? Because far too many people treat rental aircraft the same way people treat rent cars. Is owning practical for everyone? No, not really. We've had the discussions here repeatedly as to the pros & cons. But I don't believe the argument "too much to learn and own at the same time" is valid. As a student I was dealing with 4 unknowns: my schedule instructor's schedule aircraft schedule weather Owning an aircraft means item 3 is no longer an issue (unless it's down for annual or repairs). And out here in the west, if the weather is questionable, it doesn't matter who owns the aircraft, the beginning student is probably not going to be flying. Owning an aircraft meant I learned more about the systems of the aircraft and much better than if I was renting and only needed to know enough to pass the exams. Is it expensive? Sure. On the other hand, have you seen the price tag for a day lift ticket out in the Rockies these days? There's a reason so many people buy the early season pass specials -- and the ski areas are beginning to regret it, too. $82 at Vail per day. Yet the early season pass is under $400. Ski 5 days and you're now skiing for free. I gave up skiing when I started flying lessons. I can only have one exhorbitant hobby. Besides, the traffic from Denver to Vail (or Copper or A-Basin or Keystone or Mary Jane) has become impossible and far too aggravating. From my front door, I can get to 12K faster in the cherokee than I can on my skis. (2 hours door to ski lift at Copper assuming traffic moves at a reasonable rate, 1 hour door to 12K in the cherokee and traffic isn't an issue). The one strong suggestion to the OP is to NOT rush into a purchase. There will always be another aircraft that suits your needs. |
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