X-Country Time for Instrument rating

[Jason_Pilot]

It is about time for me to get the 50 hours of PIC X-Country Time for the Instrument Rating but I have only 13.1. I have already planned out my flights(All 21 of them) but I have not deceided on the airplane I should take.

At the flight school I am at I am rated on all of their aircraft so I was wondering between a Piper Arrow IV and a Cessna 172 or Piper Warrior which one would be more beneficial to my rating and potentially a career.

I am just looking for opinions or guidance but I think I should take the Arrow if I get the chance.

Jason

 

[Flechas]

Take the cheapest and slowest one! More time less money!

 

[Jason_Pilot]

That was what I was thinking too...

Slower Airplane=More Time Flying

Thank for the reply

 

[Flechas]

No problem, have fun!

 

[Goose Egg]

At the flight school I am at I am rated on all of their aircraft so I was wondering between a Piper Arrow IV and a Cessna 172 or Piper Warrior which one would be more beneficial to my rating and potentially a career.

I can't see any particular airplane having any effect on your career per se. The complex time in the Arrow might come in handy if you are planning on renting a complex from somewhere else, but it doesn't really matter much in any other context. I'd probably steer clear of using the Arrow on an instrument checkride. Use something nice and simple and slow without a lot of stuff to screw up and is easy to stay ahead of. The Warrior and the C-172 are both good instrument trainers. Choose whichever one of those is the cheapest.

It might be fun to do a cross country or two in the Arrow, but just be aware that a complex airplane is a whole 'nother beast under the hood or in actual.

Also, have you considered splitting time? If you go under the hood, you are required to have a safety pilot. And both you and that safety pilot are allowed to log PIC time. And then you and your buddy split the cost. It'll save a lot of money. When I was working on my IFR rating, I was able to rent a Cherokee 140 for $55 per hour. I split most of my time in that airplane, and so the cost to me was $27.50 per hour. Plus I made some great flying friends and we saw some cool places along the way. Think it over, would ya?

Besides, whether it be instructing, regional, major, or corporate flying, you'll almost always be with someone else. Might as well get used to the whole crew thing, eh?

-Goose

 

[dmspilot00]

That was what I was thinking too...

Slower Airplane=More Time Flying

Thank for the reply

Well, you don't have to fly as fast as it will go .

If money isn't an issue why don't you use two or all three, that way if one goes down for maintenance you can use the other. Just a thought. There would be no difference between the 172 and Warrior other than personal preference. RG time will help you if you want to rent an RG at another FBO, or if you want to buy one, because of insurance.

 

[DirtyBeech]

and once you get 50 miles away feel free to do like 10 touch and goes, or practice your slow flight (dirty naturally) enroute.

 

[sqwkvfr]

While you're doing that, fly to an airport that is at least 250 nautical miles from your departure point...and stop at one other airport along the way. That'll get a requirement out of the way for your commercial, should you ever choose to do it.

 

[nosehair]

and once you get 50 miles away feel free to do like 10 touch and goes,

OK, I know people do that, and a couple of touch & go's would be within the spirit of the law, but 10 touch & go's is not. The x/c portion of the flight has ended when you land. period. Please don't encourage the blatant disregard for the intent of the training requirements.

Flame away.

 

[DirtyBeech]

the intent is to build cross country time. if tracking vor radials is still a challenge at that point in your training then by all means do that. otherwise, finish the training in the the most expeditious manner that still results in proficiency.

nosehair,
pull your head outa there son. it's dark in there, and it stinks.