I have an idea. It might be a bit cramped, but it can be purchased with engine and all for under $750 and flown on tiny amounts of fuel. No license is required and you can take off from a large field.
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April 8, 2011 11:40 a.m. tuna55 Dork
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April 8, 2011 11:58 a.m. aircooled SuperDork
Yes, that is a good option.
I recently got an electrically powered RC glider (all in it was less the $300). Rather fun doing ridge soaring and the engine makes recovery very easy as well is it being able to be used a standard plane.
This style is compressed styrofoam construction, which sounds cheap, but it makes it very easy to repair, which is very useful when you are learning.
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April 8, 2011 1:07 p.m. oldtin Dork
A nurse who works for me gave me a membership card to her husband's flight club for Christmas (he's a commercial pilot and owns the school/club). The card is loaded with enough credit for ground school and 5 hours of flight time. I'm just afraid I'll really like it and will need to start multiplying my income.
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April 8, 2011 1:15 p.m. tuna55 Dork
oldtin wrote:
A nurse who works for me gave me a membership card to her husband's flight club for Christmas (he's a commercial pilot and owns the school/club). The card is loaded with enough credit for ground school and 5 hours of flight time. I'm just afraid I'll really like it and will need to start multiplying my income.
Try X5 for starters. If that works for you, let me know how you did it, please, and then I can too!
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April 8, 2011 1:19 p.m. Salanis SuperDork
oldtin wrote:
The card is loaded with enough credit for ground school and 5 hours of flight time. I'm just afraid I'll really like it and will need to start multiplying my income.
Yeah, I feel the same way. Granted I have a lot of other hobbies to keep me busy, but I actively tell family and friends "no" when I'm given the opportunity to pilot again for a short while. My theory is: if I get a taste of it, I'll remember what I'm missing and will feel bad.
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April 8, 2011 1:22 p.m. pilotbraden HalfDork
oldtin wrote:
A nurse who works for me gave me a membership card to her husband's flight club for Christmas (he's a commercial pilot and owns the school/club). The card is loaded with enough credit for ground school and 5 hours of flight time. I'm just afraid I'll really like it and will need to start multiplying my income.
That is similar to the way I got hooked. I had spent a winter snowboarding in Colorado,working at Club Med. I moved back to Michigan for the summer. When I started actively seeking employment for the winter,in the Rockies, my father arranged to pay for flying lessons until I soloed. I never moved back west, instead I got a job loading freight at the airport and taking lessons. It is addictive. I now have about 7500 hours, an ATP and two type ratings. It is the best thing that I have ever done.
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April 8, 2011 1:25 p.m. jeffmx5 Reader
I've wanted my PPL for years and go through these same thought processes every couple of years.
I'm currently in one of those cycles, but it always ends up being too expensive for me personally to justify as a hobby. $6k just to get your PPL and then $120+/hr to rent a plane to go anywhere. Now with kids, it's even less practical.
Light Sport is a great concept, but most of the planes that are not overgrown ultralights are are still $50k-100k+. For that money, I'd rather get an older Cessna 182, 205 or Mooney.
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April 8, 2011 3:52 p.m. 1988RedT2 Dork
Why is it that money is so much easier to spend than it is to make?
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May 13, 2011 9:22 p.m. dyintorace SuperDork
Here's an interesting twist to this thread. I've been talking with someone lately with lots of experience in building composite material LSAs (light sport aircraft). The latest trend? Electric motors!!! How perfect would that be for you, Mr. Joshua? Combine your desire to start flying with your love of electric motors!
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May 14, 2011 12:28 a.m. mad_machine SuperDork
my business partner just got his license two years ago. I have been up a couple of times.. it is a wonderful experience and once the economy picks up enough steam where I am working for myself again instead of other people.. I will work towards my own license
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May 14, 2011 7:22 a.m. 914Driver SuperDork
A guy at the club just bought the quintessential Grandma plane. A Schweizer 1-26 that a guy bought new and put 20 hours on it before he got an ailment and his doctor told him he can't fly. It sat in a barn for 25 years until he passed away and the estate sold it for $6000.
Not exactly world class competition stuff, but a good beginning.
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May 14, 2011 8:36 a.m. Graefin10 Reader
I started taking lessons in the late 70s and didn't continue until the early 90s. In the 70s I bought 1/3 interest in a beautiful low hr. Cessna 150. I had always thought I'd be a natural pilot. I was wrong! I did fine, soloed right away, and took my solo cross country with about 10 hrs of training, but I never got even a little bit complacent or too comfortable flying.
From my personal experiences I have a few suggestions: (1) If you haven't already, go take several hrs. or flight training before you make any decisions. This way you'll find out how much you really like it. (2) A partnership is fine but don't do it with your friends. Instead do some research until you find a group that owns the type of plane you're interested in flying long term and appears to be well organized. (3) Be prepared for a major hit to your budget. If you have deep pockets it doesn't matter, but if not you need to decide just how important your desire to fly is.
Whatever you decide, the best of luck to you.
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May 14, 2011 11:13 a.m. jhaas Reader
i have always wanted to build one of these...
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May 14, 2011 12:48 p.m. Graefin10 Reader
In reply to jhaas:
I agree, that's a beautiful plane. Is that one a 2 place, and if so is a 4 place available? You say you wanted to build one. Does it come as a composite kit?
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May 14, 2011 1:04 p.m. mad_machine SuperDork
isn't that plane a "sea plane"? Granted, you would only want to land on calm waters.. it is no Albatross
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May 14, 2011 4:27 p.m. Appleseed SuperDork
Join the EAA. Get plans. Build this for $5000-7000 (if you're thrifty.)
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May 14, 2011 5:38 p.m. FlightService HalfDork
Cozy EZ or Velocity XL
personal favorites
