See my disagreement with this above. In my mind, a pilot should get
over
a
hundred hours (more is better) before stepping up to anything more than
a
180hp or less trainer. Most people take 2 years to fly that 100 hours.

Absolutely... Beyond a doubt a pilot with under 100 hours does not know
yet
what his/her long-term flying mission is and buying an airplane at that
time
is probably not a good idea.


Ahh, but what if what they buy is a trainer or trainer like plane? You see,
you jumped a step in your logic. I have seen several older pilots stepping
down from their higher powered machines to Archers, Skyhawks, Stars, Tigers
etc. These planes do meet the wants and needs of many pilots with enough
hours and skills to fly more "advanced" planes. The Star and Tiger are
really good examples because the are nearly as fast many more powerful
planes.


Perhaps your advice is too general? Maybe its even best for the
majority,
but in my mind, not the overwhelming majority.

It is the very rare pilot indeed who at less than 100 hours has a good
feel
for what airplane will suit his long-term flying missions.

And it is the very rare pilot indeed who at less than 100 hours has a good
grasp of the economics of airplane ownership.


I think that you and Jay have found the mark above. It can be a seperate
skill set. Many students don't know anything about larger planes, while
nuts like me read everything we could get our hands as soon as we started on
our private.


--
Richard Kaplan, CFII

www.flyimc.com