Aviation Question

[RightPedal]

How common is it for a person to purchase a cabin class twin for initial flight training?

An associate of mine has a friend whom has appointed him to purchase an aircraft for them to use in their business. This assoicate is a young pilot, say 150 hours. His friend is not a pilot as yet. I'm a 3000+ hour commercial pilot, but not multi, or instrument rated. They are looking to me for information, so I come to you.

They have the money to do what ever they like. The instructions are to get something nice. This man may be thinking that nice is a G-5, and it sure is, but To me, at their level of aeronautical knowledge, they need something like a Seneca, Twin Comanche, or an Aztec. My choice is the aztec to start with.

I personally think they need to stay with a nice single for now, maybe a Saratoga or A36, if they want to throw that kind of money out. These aircraft would more than fill the business needs for my friend and I, but the money man has business all over the Country. I will probably get the chance to finish my ratings in this deal, so, of course a light twin is just what I need, But, the needs of the many out weigh the needs of the few, or the one.

What say ye!

Thanks for the help.

 

[Lrjtcaptain]

Well, go for a Baron. Relativly easy to fly, and very fast for other planes in its class.

No one will get insured on it, no will get insured on any of the planes with the hours its sounds like they all have.

 

[bugchaser]

Hey DB, with the times and experience that you have listed for everyone, I would try to get them into a good complex single for now. My personal choice would be an A-36. Get your instrument ticket ASAP and after they fall in love with the flying thing, work them up into better aircraft. If they get something that you can't get insured on, they might have to hire a pilot and you would be out of the deal. If they really have lots of money how about one of the single engine turbines out there? I assume that you have lots of single engine turbine time. Mirage, Pilatus, etc.? With your TT you won't have much time getting insured in the singles as soon as you get some instrument experience. The turbines and the cabin class twins will require formal training. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't get insurance until you check for yourself. I remember being told that about turbines when I first started in those. I have a similiar situation in which I fly a 421 for a local businessman. Everyone told me that I would never get insured on that with my limited multi time. Well, we got that done and I now have about 150 hrs in that airplane. There is usually a way to get it done. Especially if there is plenty of money to throw at the problem. Good luck to you.

 

[FN FAL]

Sounds like another product liability lawsuit in the makings.

 

[RightPedal]

Sounds like another product liability lawsuit in the makings.

You mean like you were when you started

I'm trying to get them to understand that even Gen. Yeager started in a cub, and then strapped on an X-15.

Some people just refuse to start anywhere but the top

 

[RightPedal]

Thanks Bug,

Good info, and just about what I've already told told them.
We'll see....

I hope you have a profitable season.

Be safe out there.

DB

 

[Flyin Tony]

Talk them into a Comanche 260