jlowell
Member
- Joined
- Oct 11, 2005
- Posts
- 15
Hi all,
I just started working on my PPL. Main reason is for biz. I'm a homebuilder in Houston and am spreading out to other cities. I want to be able to go check on jobsites and also look at land....not that I'm some bigtime developer. I'm just a little guy now reaching the point where I can do a few projects in other places.
I need to buy a plane to do what I want to do. If I make trips to various places ranging from 300 miles to maybe 1000 miles 2 or 3 times a month or more......I need to get out there and get back quickly. Spend a night along the way if necessary but get back fairly quickly. So not a leisurely cruise in a 172 type of deal. As I look at the time involved to get somewhere I'm thinking I need a plane that can cruise at 160 mph minimum. Really a bit faster would be better but I can live with 160.
So my question is this: Once I get my PPL and have flown nothing but a slow trainer how do I move up to faster and more complex planes? I know I need to get some hours behind me in the easy flyers first, but at some point I would like to go up in several different planes just to see how they feel, how noisy they are, how much vibration, responsiveness, etc. I know there are a lot of Arrows around as trainers so that is an easy one to find someone to take me up in. I might consider a Bonanza or Mooney 201, or maybe a Dakota if I could go up in them. I can hire someone to train me in a specific plane if I decide on one right??? But have to get up in them to start. ( BTW I don't plan on flying anything like that till a very qualified person tells me I am competent to do so. I like living and I also take the responsibility for any passenger in my plane very seriously. But i am planning ahead.)
So what do I do.....look around for planes I can hire demo rides in or get people with used planes for sale to take me up or what?
I plan on flying 4 or 5 days a week till I get my PPL, then get instrument rated immediately after that.
So I am trying to plan the most efficient route to my goal of a slightly faster plane than this 172 I'm in these days.
Advice and ideas appreciated.
Oh as I said....I originally decided to do this for business reasons. Then went up a couple of times, then a couple more, now I want it every day......it's like a drug problem disguised as something respectable. )
Cheers, Jim
I just started working on my PPL. Main reason is for biz. I'm a homebuilder in Houston and am spreading out to other cities. I want to be able to go check on jobsites and also look at land....not that I'm some bigtime developer. I'm just a little guy now reaching the point where I can do a few projects in other places.
I need to buy a plane to do what I want to do. If I make trips to various places ranging from 300 miles to maybe 1000 miles 2 or 3 times a month or more......I need to get out there and get back quickly. Spend a night along the way if necessary but get back fairly quickly. So not a leisurely cruise in a 172 type of deal. As I look at the time involved to get somewhere I'm thinking I need a plane that can cruise at 160 mph minimum. Really a bit faster would be better but I can live with 160.
So my question is this: Once I get my PPL and have flown nothing but a slow trainer how do I move up to faster and more complex planes? I know I need to get some hours behind me in the easy flyers first, but at some point I would like to go up in several different planes just to see how they feel, how noisy they are, how much vibration, responsiveness, etc. I know there are a lot of Arrows around as trainers so that is an easy one to find someone to take me up in. I might consider a Bonanza or Mooney 201, or maybe a Dakota if I could go up in them. I can hire someone to train me in a specific plane if I decide on one right??? But have to get up in them to start. ( BTW I don't plan on flying anything like that till a very qualified person tells me I am competent to do so. I like living and I also take the responsibility for any passenger in my plane very seriously. But i am planning ahead.)
So what do I do.....look around for planes I can hire demo rides in or get people with used planes for sale to take me up or what?
I plan on flying 4 or 5 days a week till I get my PPL, then get instrument rated immediately after that.
So I am trying to plan the most efficient route to my goal of a slightly faster plane than this 172 I'm in these days.
Advice and ideas appreciated.
Oh as I said....I originally decided to do this for business reasons. Then went up a couple of times, then a couple more, now I want it every day......it's like a drug problem disguised as something respectable. )
Cheers, Jim