Is it time to get back in the seat?

[crask422]

I finally registered here to get some opinions. Twenty years ago, I was taking lessons in So California. At about 18 hours, my instructor, who I was never comfortable with, said it was time for spins. I remember it quite well, Halloween night, 1986, over Pasadena, spinning and spinning. The whole time my instructor was giggling, almost hysterically, like he really got off on it. It was like a bad movie. Needless to say, he scared the hell out of me for two hours.

I would have done my solo the next week, but I never went back, all because of that nutjob. I have been wanting to fly ever since, but that is all I think about... that night.

My question is this, I always knew stalls were a required situation to master, but are spins that big a part of the program? Someone told me years later, that spins aren't required until commercial rating. From reading on here obviously I should have asked for a different instructor after that time, but I chose to quit instead. That was dumb.

I seem to have the bug again and my office is a few short blocks from Corona Municipal Airport. It seems like the time to retire from motocross and start flying. I was learning in a 20 year-old 172 at the time. Any suggestions on planes to learn in?

Glad to be here, sorry for the long first post.

[sync55]

Spin training is a requirement to become a CFI. I may be required for Instrument or Commercial as well, but not Private or Sport Pilot certificate.

[BravoRomeo]

Hiya Crask,

Don´t worry, your post wasn´t that long, it´s just the sensation we all have before hitting "submit"

Sync already told you about spins; they´re not needed for your PPL, so... Anyway, with a nice instructor, one of those with two million hours instructing aerobatics and a calm attitude whatever the situation, you´ll end up enjoying them. Just don´t practice them too much by yourself or with some instructor who´s not completely safe doing them ("safe" for me: his face doesn´t chage expression, he doesn´t look like about to take controls all the time, recovers it with a tap, losing unnoticeable altitude, starts and ends them quite high...).

As for what airplane: any. Things are the same today, most school airplanes are 20 years old and 172´s keep being the main wings around. High or low wing, slightly better or worse performances... it doesn´t matter much. Whatever you like better. For spins, if you decide the time to end up with that instructor-induced fright has come, I´d go for a 152 or 152. 172´s tend to go into a spiral dive after the first turn. One fifties are a bit like kites, spinning well while you have the input set but stopping as soon as you think of it.

Go for it and start flying again!!

[crask422]

Thanks for the replies, I am going to sign back up. I have had lunch at the airport everyday this week, but the flight school has been closed due to sustained winds. Maybe today is the day.

[BravoRomeo]

I really hope so! If that was the case, tell!! What did they say? what´s the plan? did you join? what do they offer? what do they fly? what, when, how, where...!!?

[crask422]

I am flying with a CFI today from Corona to Catalina Island and back in their 2006 Cessna 172SP/ G1000. This is my introductory flight to see how I like the plane. I am then going to pre-pay for there package for $6249. The prepay brings it down from $8249. Actual lessons should start in a week or two as I rearrange my schedule.

[BravoRomeo]

And how can one don´t like an all glass panel new plane!!? Good for you! I really hope you enjoyed the ride.

Now go enjoy your new classes. You´ll see how your hands didn´t forget about everything. You already have some "touch" on them, so your first lessons, those dedicated to the basics, will go in a blink, encouraging you to keep at it.

Study your plane, study its systems and come to know it as well as you can. Before evey ride, take your time to seat there, put your hands everywhere and refresh all the knowledge you have. You´ll feel much safer and, in fact, you´ll be.

GO FOR IT AND FLY!!

[JMsoundscape]

what not to like about the g1000 its the stuff!! good luck with your lessons, and you should enjoy that plane, i mean a 172 is a 172 but that glass cockpit is really cool
clear skys

[Robert Trice]

Yep, you'll love the G1000, but I'm betting it will cost you more than $6200 to finish the entire program.