AirTalk.org Aviation discussions newsgroups   Archives   FAQ   Search   Memberlist   Usergroups   Register   Profile   Log in to check your private messages   Log in  How to find more interesting planes for rent/instruction? Goto page 1, 2  Next          AirTalk.org Forum Index -> Aviation (Students) View previous topic :: View next topic   Author Message Mike Gaskins Guest Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 3:47 pm    Post subject: How to find more interesting planes for rent/instruction? Just curious about this guys: I've often found quite a few people that mention training in different types of airplanes (Katanas, Citabrias, Cubs, Tomahawks, etc). When I actually try to locate an interesting plane to take a lesson in though, I always get the same response from an FBO: we have Cessna 150/152's or 172's. Good planes (I'm doing my training in a set of 150's), but kinda boring when that's all you see. I want to buy a small two-seater after I finish up and have strictly forbidden myself from buying a 150 or 152 . Anyways, I was wondering if there was a good listing of instructors and training aircraft somewhere on the web (or in print) that I could get ahold of, or if the best method is to just keep calling around to see what they have. Of course, one of the suspicions I have (esp. for the older taildraggers) is that many of the instructors are freelance with their own planes, which makes it unlikely that I will get a name/number from the FBO. Anyways, just looking for any wisdom that you guys have acquired. Thanks. Mike Gaskins Back to top Tom Conner Guest Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 7:08 pm    Post subject: Re: How to find more interesting planes for rent/instruction "Mike Gaskins" <mbgaski (AT) clemson (DOT) edu> wrote Quote: Just curious about this guys: I've often found quite a few people that mention training in different types of airplanes (Katanas, Citabrias, Cubs, Tomahawks, etc). When I actually try to locate an interesting plane to take a lesson in though, I always get the same response from an FBO: we have Cessna 150/152's or 172's. Good planes (I'm doing my training in a set of 150's), but kinda boring when that's all you see. I want to buy a small two-seater after I finish up and have strictly forbidden myself from buying a 150 or 152 . Anyways, I was wondering if there was a good listing of instructors and training aircraft somewhere on the web (or in print) that I could get ahold of, or if the best method is to just keep calling around to see what they have. Of course, one of the suspicions I have (esp. for the older taildraggers) is that many of the instructors are freelance with their own planes, which makes it unlikely that I will get a name/number from the FBO. First, you need to mention what airport(s) so that people familiar with it can answer. Second, many flight schools have web-sites that list their planes. Back to top Mike Gaskins Guest Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 7:30 pm    Post subject: Re: How to find more interesting planes for rent/instruction I'm taking my lessons at Berkeley County Airport (50J) in Moncks Corner, SC. It's a 5 minute drive from where I work so it works out well for training after I get off. Other nearby airports that I don't mind visiting: Charleston International Airport (CHS) - Charleston, SC Charleston Executive Airport (JZI) - Charleston, SC Summerville Airport (DYB) - Summerville, SC East Cooper Airport (LRO - used to be 8S5) - Mt. Pleasant, SC Gerogetown County Airport (GGE) - Georgetown, SC Santee Cooper Regional Airport (MNI) - Manning, SC I've found the sites for Coastal Aviation & Palmetto Airservice at East Cooper, and ProFlight at Charleston Executive, but all of these are using Cessna 152's and 172's (Proflight does have some larger aircraft for MEL and Complex training, though this isn't what I'm looking for). To be honest I'd like to find somewhere that has a taildragger available - I'm interested in getting this ASAP after getting my PPL; aerobatics training would be interesting too . Mike Gaskins Back to top Helen Woods Guest Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 12:40 am    Post subject: Re: How to find more interesting planes for rent/instruction If you are serious about buying a two seat plane, you ought to plan to attend Sun N Fun this spring. Part of what you are seeing comes from the fact that there just haven't been very many 2 seat planes in production in the US over the past 30 years. The new sport pilot rule has changed that in the past year and new 2 seaters are being certified almost every week. Unfortunately, the insurance is still trying to catch up with this new market, so very few FBOs have them available to rent at this time. However, ALL of these manufacturers will be at Sun N Fun. You can talk to the factory reps, pick up literature, get financing info, and maybe even a demo flight. http://www.sun-n-fun.org If you are thinking more about a used plane, SNF is also a good place to check out old classic two seaters like Cubs and Champs. It's also a good place to check out the many two seaters available on the home-built front. As a side note, before you count out the 150/152, remember this: 1. Unlike the many fabric two seaters out there, you don't need to find and pay for a hanger for one. 2. Unlike many of the older two seaters and many of the new two seat sport planes, they are typically equipped so that you could do an instrument rating using one. 3. Unlike the older tailwheel planes and many of the new sport planes, they are very cheap to insure. These are some of the reasons that they are so popular at FBOs. Being in SC you shouldn't have a problem hitching a ride to SNF. They have a ride board on their web site. You'll learn a lot and have a good time if you attend. Go enjoy the show and the planes! Helen Back to top websurf1@cox.net Guest Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 1:58 am    Post subject: Re: How to find more interesting planes for rent/instruction Mike Gaskins wrote: Quote: Just curious about this guys: I've often found quite a few people that mention training in different types of airplanes If you want something REALLY different, try soaring!!! Loss of an engine won't be so much a problem. Once launched, you can really save on fuel. You will most certainly learn what the rudder is for. Lots more maneuvering and slow flight. Back to top Morgans Guest Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 2:32 am    Post subject: Re: How to find more interesting planes for rent/instruction "Mike Gaskins" <mbgaski (AT) clemson (DOT) edu> wrote Quote: Just curious about this guys: I've often found quite a few people that mention training in different types of airplanes (Katanas, Citabrias, Cubs, Tomahawks, etc). When I actually try to locate an interesting plane to take a lesson in though, I always get the same response from an FBO: we have Cessna 150/152's or 172's. Good planes (I'm doing my training in a set of 150's), but kinda boring when that's all you see. I want to buy a small two-seater after I finish up and have strictly forbidden myself from buying a 150 or 152 . Anyways, I was wondering if there was a good listing of instructors and training aircraft somewhere on the web (or in print) that I could get ahold of, or if the best method is to just keep calling around to see what they have. Of course, one of the suspicions I have (esp. for the older taildraggers) is that many of the instructors are freelance with their own planes, which makes it unlikely that I will get a name/number from the FBO. Get in touch with the homebuilt community, after you get your ticket, and get a ride in an RV-4, 6, 6a, 7, 7a, 8, 8a, 9, 9a. Word is, that after you ride in an RV, you won't want to fly anything else!!! Problem is that you can't take primary training in them, if you are paying for it. You can pay someone to give you transition training in one, I believe. -- Jim in NC Back to top Doug Guest Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 2:55 am    Post subject: Re: How to find more interesting planes for rent/instruction I have an Aviat Husky taildragger and can put it on Amphibs. If that's not different and interesting, I dunno what is. I'm in Colorado (not exactly floatplane heaven), but we have to travel a bit. Back to top Mike Gaskins Guest Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 4:30 pm    Post subject: Re: How to find more interesting planes for rent/instruction I am definately going to try to attend Sun N' Fun this year. I've been looking at the SLSA planes, but to be honest I don't think I can put that much money into one. The only one I could even hope to buy would be the Savage (looks like a Piper Cub clone), but at $53,000 I could afford a real Cub (or better yet a Champ which I think I'd prefer) and another older plane like a Luscome or something . I think I'm going to be sticking to the used market for the time being. I do know that insurance will be higher on the taildraggers, but I think I'm going to have to swallow that cost. I'm more interested in casual/fun flying (and maybe aerobatics in the future) than in transportational flying. Except as a good stepping stone, the 150's just don't interest me that much. There's no adventure in it . PS. As to the homebuilt guys, I'm already looking into that. I've joined the EAA and I actually have bought a plan set for the Zodiac 601XL, though I haven't did a whole lot with it yet. Back to top Doug Guest Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 6:36 pm    Post subject: Re: How to find more interesting planes for rent/instruction You are a good candidate for a Citabria taildragger (start around $35k). Or an old Champ ($20k). Taildragger, aerobatic. Back to top Helen Woods Guest Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 9:09 pm    Post subject: Re: How to find more interesting planes for rent/instruction If you are serious about buying a two seat plane, you ought to plan to attend Sun N Fun this spring. Part of what you are seeing comes from the fact that there just haven't been very many 2 seat planes in production in the US over the past 30 years. The new sport pilot rule has changed that in the past year and new 2 seaters are being certified almost every week. Unfortunately, the insurance is still trying to catch up with this new market, so very few FBOs have them available to rent at this time. However, ALL of these manufacturers will be at Sun N Fun. You can talk to the factory reps, pick up literature, get financing info, and maybe even a demo flight. http://www.sun-n-fun.org If you are thinking more about a used plane, SNF is also a good place to check out old classic two seaters like Cubs and Champs. It's also a good place to check out the many two seaters available on the home-built front. As a side note, before you count out the 150/152, remember this: 1. Unlike the many fabric two seaters out there, you don't need to find and pay for a hanger for one. 2. Unlike many of the older two seaters and many of the new two seat sport planes, they are typically equipped so that you could do an instrument rating using one. 3. Unlike the older tailwheel planes and many of the new sport planes, they are very cheap to insure. These are some of the reasons that they are so popular at FBOs. Being in SC you shouldn't have a problem hitching a ride to SNF. They have a ride board on their web site. You'll learn a lot and have a good time if you attend. Go enjoy the show and the planes! Helen Back to top rmacklem@uoguelph.ca Guest Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 10:25 pm    Post subject: Re: How to find more interesting planes for rent/instruction Mike Gaskins wrote: Quote: Just curious about this guys: I've often found quite a few people that mention training in different types of airplanes (Katanas, Citabrias, Cubs, Tomahawks, etc). When I actually try to locate an interesting plane to take a lesson in though, I always get the same response from an FBO: we have Cessna 150/152's or 172's. Good planes (I'm doing my training in a set of 150's), but kinda boring when that's all you see. I want to buy a small two-seater after I finish up and have strictly forbidden myself from buying a 150 or 152 . Anyways, I was wondering if there was a good listing of instructors and training aircraft somewhere on the web (or in print) that I could get ahold of, or if the best method is to just keep calling around to see what they have. The only listing I know of that might help is the IAC's list of aerobatics schools. (It just happens that most of the aerobatic trainers are also taildraggers and, at least to me, interesting to fly.) Here are two places in the US I've flown at (both very good, imho): - Sport Aviation at Van Sant, PA - Sunrise Aviation at John Wayne Airport in Orange County, CA (both have web sites you can google and both do rent taildraggers solo.) Good luck with the search, because they're few and far between, rick Back to top Morgans Guest Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 10:37 pm    Post subject: Re: How to find more interesting planes for rent/instruction "Mike Gaskins" <mbgaski (AT) clemson (DOT) edu> wrote Quote: I've been looking at the SLSA planes, but to be honest I don't think I can put that much money into one. If you want to buy your own, then use it to have an instructor teach you in it, you *can* do that in an experimental. Really, consider a used RV-6a or 8a. -- Jim in NC Back to top Mike Gaskins Guest Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 11:03 pm    Post subject: Re: How to find more interesting planes for rent/instruction At this point I'm already decently close to finishing up in the C-150 (I've got 30.2 hours logged, and my instructor said it's looking like I should be taking my oral/practical at around 45 hours). I plan on buying a plane, but not until after I finish up. Right now I'm just looking for some variety. I know I can get something different/interesting when I do buy, but it would be nice to have something other than a Cessna available for rent . I did look for some flying clubs, but was unable to find anything useful. Only local one has very good dues ($25/month) and rental rates, but it's all Cessnas again and unfortuneatly it's for military and federal gov't employees only. Mike Gaskins Morgans wrote: Quote: "Mike Gaskins" <mbgaski (AT) clemson (DOT) edu> wrote I've been looking at the SLSA planes, but to be honest I don't think I can put that much money into one. If you want to buy your own, then use it to have an instructor teach you in it, you *can* do that in an experimental. Really, consider a used RV-6a or 8a. -- Jim in NC Back to top Morgans Guest Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 4:34 am    Post subject: Re: How to find more interesting planes for rent/instruction "Mike Gaskins" <mbgaski (AT) clemson (DOT) edu> wrote Quote: I did look for some flying clubs, but was unable to find anything useful. Only local one has very good dues ($25/month) and rental rates, but it's all Cessnas again and unfortuneatly it's for military and federal gov't employees only. Yep, flying clubs and FBOs are unlikely to have any RVs. What you need to do, is get up with some area EAA chapters, and you will not find an RV to rent, but I'll bet you come away with someone that will give you a ride or two. -- Jim in NC Back to top 601XL Builder Guest Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2006 12:40 am    Post subject: Re: How to find more interesting planes for rent/instruction Morgans wrote: Quote: Get in touch with the homebuilt community, after you get your ticket, and get a ride in an RV-4, 6, 6a, 7, 7a, 8, 8a, 9, 9a. Word is, that after you ride in an RV, you won't want to fly anything else!!! Problem is that you can't take primary training in them, if you are paying for it. You can pay someone to give you transition training in one, I believe. 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