future 6 place plane

[cdenker]

Hope to at some point (in the future) fly the family back and forth to vacation property (400 miles). Should I start learning in a 6 place, or start with the typical 4 place and get a 6 seat later? Training cost (rental or ownership) isn't too much of an issue, more interested in getting experience in a plane that we will own long term. No plans for twin, single should do.. Advice?

Thanks!

[sternone]

Some say it's best to do the step-up ladder thing.. start in C152, then in PA28, then in Arrow and so step up.. others say if you have the possibility it's best to learn in the machine you are going to own.

I also prefer the latter. Expierence in type is the best way to be safe.

[Dantilla]

A trainer would be great for ther first few flights, until basic aircraft control is well understood. Maybe up until first solo.

Then it makes sense to train in the aircraft you will be flying, with a couple random thoughts thrown in:

-Big engines in six-seaters do not like to have the power yanked on and off quickly. Stalls and emergency landing practice are better suited for a Cessna 150's O-200.

-Do you know what airplane you want? Moving from a C-152 to a C-206 is a somewhat reasonable step. Jumping into a Beech A-36 would be a far bigger step.

-Flying a variety of airplanes is fun. While it makes sense to train in the airplane you will fly, the FAA is going to license you for the entire catagory and class of airplanes you test for. I'm dealing with this right now- I'm finishing up the insturment rating in my airplane. I was tested on ADF, RMI, and other stuff that was yanked out of the airplane long ago in favor of GPS with moving maps. Too bad. The instrument rating allows me to fly any airplane- Not just mine. Some of your training may seem irrelevent.

If you know what kind of airplane you want, go ahead and buy it when the right one comes along. Just keep an open mind about renting a trainer for a few hours if that would make a section of training easier.

[cdenker]

good tips. I've got a few training hours in a 172, and it makes sense to get my feet wet again with that, at least until the basics come back to me. So I'll keep my eyes open for a 206-type plane and get one when the right one comes along. I'd like to get at least a hundred plus hours on the family plane before I begin taking everyone up...

thanks again!

[Zonno]

Originally Posted by cdenker

Hope to at some point (in the future) fly the family back and forth to vacation property (400 miles). Should I start learning in a 6 place, or start with the typical 4 place and get a 6 seat later? Training cost (rental or ownership) isn't too much of an issue, more interested in getting experience in a plane that we will own long term. No plans for twin, single should do.. Advice?

Thanks!

I would probably rent a trainer to learn how, and once you've obtained your license and some experience own your own 6-seater aircraft.

[millenniumtech]

I have some pretty recent experience regarding this topic. I started lessons in Feb. of this year with the intention of owning an aircraft from day one. I also knew that I wanted a plane that would be comfortable on business trips of up to 500nm and haul my wife and 3 kids back to La. from Wi.. I finished my training and passed my checkride (in a C152) in August. At that point I had already purchased a Cherokee Six 260 and had owned it for 3 weeks before I finished. Insurance was expensive and a bit of a struggle to acquire but got it done without even a PPL. The insurance company required me to receive 20 hours of dual instruction before I could solo it and 10 hours of instrument before I could carry passengers. I arranged to have the training done in and around Indianapolis Aviation which is where I purchased the plane and completed it in roughly four days of almost non-stop flying. Highly recommend Kevin Aufmann and the crew by the way. I now have over 100 hours and absolutely love the airplane. The airplane flies very light on the controls and if you get by having that big 'ole nose hanging out there is actually, to me, easier to land than the, at times, finicky C152. The big deal is a lot more avionics, constant speed prop/mixture management, and a WHOLE lot more right rudder till you leave tera firma. I know that this was long but I thought I could add something through recent experience.

Thanks,

Brian
N3221W