Ben I see you are flying out of Reid Hillview as am I. I followed some of your adventures on BT, but I can't recall posting or commenting on any of it.
Of course there are some people that have become popular of famous in the BT world that may or may not carry over to life. Who cares, it's a forum and entertainment. I'm sorry you were banned because it is a valuable place to learn things that in reality allow you to operate your plane more efficiently such as LOP which is being scoffed at here in this thread. The benefits are great and go beyond the savings in flight. In real numbers that can be duplicated again and on my flights I loose about 4-6 knots of TAS in return for about 2.5 gph in savings. This means that for every hour it takes about two minutes longer to get somewhere and will save about $15. Beyond the savings the plugs are always clean without lead balls when pulled during maintenance, I have cleaner oil, valves, and the CHT's run dramatically cooler which means engine longevity. It's a good thing and worth reading everything you can to get confident as well as set up to fly LOP. Likely rentals will not be set up for operating LOP so I can see how this could fall on deaf ears until the decision is made to be airplane poor.
Brokers aren't the enemy although I can see it being frustrating to pick up the very best deal via a broker. There is a basic truth that plays out everyday in sales and it doesn't even have to be relating to airplanes. An item is worth what somebody will pay for it. There is a price point where everything sells, and when you reach it you will make a deal. Both sides have to get there though.
Suggestion... There is a 65 260 Comanche parked at Tradewinds with a for sale banner on the nose. It looks like a heck of a nice airplane. Buy it, join us locals on fly outs and trips. Smile, be happy, because this hobby costs to much financially, and the sacrifices we make, as well as our families do by default for us to be able to do it, well it would just be a shame if it makes us miserable to boot.
Lastly there are a couple of P35's that are rentals at Reid. Why don't you look into getting some time in one or both and see if you like the type. You'll be getting a checkout at the same time which is a win win. I love my Bonanza, but I am partial to Comanches, 182's, and would give my left arm for a Carbon Cub. It's all good. Pick something and pull the trigger. Then begin paying for hangar or tie down, insurance, annuals, transponder certs, engine overhaul account, subscriptions, fees for medicals, over priced gas, use tax, and for any upgrades that you have to have. Then if there is anything left fly the thing once in a while. The extra change you might give to a broker is pretty meaningless in the big picture. After looking at it through the eyes of having paid for all of this for over a decade now, you are in for such a rude awakening when you finally purchase that it's going to come as a shock. It is however worth it IMO.
Good luck!
.![brian]](/community/data/avatars/m/21/21096.jpg?1456258959){kind=avatar}
