Newbie with a few questions.

S

SomeTexan

Ejection Handle Pulled
Joined
Nov 9, 2014
Messages
237
Location
Godley Texas
Display Name
AdamR
Just registered and thought I would see if ya'll could offer me some advice. I am planning to start flight training after the first of the year, and I intend to do the vast majority of it in my own aircraft. At this point, just a ppl, maybe basic ifr. I don't plan on being a commercial pilot, this would be for fun. Local flying and some cross country. This brings me to my questions;

What would be a good fbo near Cleburne Tx? I've looked at Cleburne muni, but didnt like the flight school. I've been in small aircraft before, no need to try to push me into a discovery flight, even less so at 300/hr. Fuel is cheap there, but there is a waiting list to get a hanger. Tie down spots are free though. An a&p that allows owner assist would be perfect. I've built engines and transmissions for race cars and motorcycles, built cars from the ground up, including chassis, so, with a pro checking my work, I would be confident in my work.

Can anyone recomend a cfi in the area that would be willing to instruct in my aircraft? More than likely a taildragger.

Last but not least, what kind of aircraft will I fit in? I've only been in a 172 (not a fan) and a CH801 (freaking awesome). I am 6'4", about 230ish and understand that I won't fit in some planes. I like high wing, stol type taildraggers. I like the 108 Stinson's, but haven't yet looked at them in person. I could deal with a 2 seat tandem, if it had the capacity to hold me, a passenger and plenty of fuel. I am cheap and don't mind an aircraft with cosmetic issues, outdated panels etc. A flying restoration project would be ideal for me.

Thanks for your help.
 
Welcome to PoA!!!

Is Godley, TX anywhere near Cleanliness, TX? :rofl: :goofy:

There is an excellent tail wheel instructor located at the airport near Midlothian, TX (not that far from you). But her name escapes me. She is very well respected around these parts and many people seek her out for tail wheel endorsements and more.


And we have a good group of Metroplex based pilots on PoA and www.dfwpilots.com/board So be sure to get active and join the conversations and fun!

Again, welcome!!
 
how big is your pile of money?...a C-180 could be your first and last plane.:D
 
SomeTexan said:
Just registered and thought I would see if ya'll could offer me some advice. I am planning to start flight training after the first of the year, and I intend to do the vast majority of it in my own aircraft. At this point, just a ppl, maybe basic ifr. I don't plan on being a commercial pilot, this would be for fun. Local flying and some cross country. This brings me to my questions;

What would be a good fbo near Cleburne Tx? I've looked at Cleburne muni, but didnt like the flight school. I've been in small aircraft before, no need to try to push me into a discovery flight, even less so at 300/hr. Fuel is cheap there, but there is a waiting list to get a hanger. Tie down spots are free though. An a&p that allows owner assist would be perfect. I've built engines and transmissions for race cars and motorcycles, built cars from the ground up, including chassis, so, with a pro checking my work, I would be confident in my work.

Can anyone recomend a cfi in the area that would be willing to instruct in my aircraft? More than likely a taildragger.

Last but not least, what kind of aircraft will I fit in? I've only been in a 172 (not a fan) and a CH801 (freaking awesome). I am 6'4", about 230ish and understand that I won't fit in some planes. I like high wing, stol type taildraggers. I like the 108 Stinson's, but haven't yet looked at them in person. I could deal with a 2 seat tandem, if it had the capacity to hold me, a passenger and plenty of fuel. I am cheap and don't mind an aircraft with cosmetic issues, outdated panels etc. A flying restoration project would be ideal for me.

Thanks for your help.
Click to expand...

First post.....


Welcome to POA...:cheers::cheers:


Ps.... You do know the Zenith 801 is VERY ugly, don't ya ??
 
N801BH said:
Hmmm..

Are you trying to play the "minority" card..:dunno:.......:D
Click to expand...

Oh I'm a minority all right, a rational human bean.:D But one man's red is another man's "Tide Orange"... at least on the internet...
 
Mr Farlow, Lol, not in my house with a 15 year old. She rides in my car once, and I will find trash for a month... Thanks for the advice, I will look her up. And get registered on that site as well.

Check_My_Six, I don't think my pile of money would be enough to get me a c180. I'm trying to stay around 20k, but would be more comfortable in the 15k range. I am trying to keep a decent amount set aside for any maintinance that could pop up. I still need to look into what all I can do in a owner assist situation. If I were faced with a major overhaul, I would end up with a blueprinted, precision balanced work of art on the front of the aircraft, but I don't know what I would be allowed to do by the faa.

Ben, thank you. I guess I've always been attracted to ugly forms of transportation. The one I was in took off in less than 100 feet fully loaded at 6000+ ft, and would "land on a dinner plate" as the owner put it. Function over form is fine with me. EDIT: I've seen/drooled over pics of your aircraft for a few years now. With a deltahawk diesel it would be my dream plane.
 
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AggieMike88 said:
Welcome to PoA!!!

Is Godley, TX anywhere near Cleanliness, TX? :rofl: :goofy:

There is an excellent tail wheel instructor located at the airport near Midlothian, TX (not that far from you). But her name escapes me. She is very well respected around these parts and many people seek her out for tail wheel endorsements and more.
Click to expand...
Carol Walker at KJWY. Her school is Big Q Aviation: http://www.bigqaviation.com/

Probably a 30-40 minute drive from the OP, but well worth it, especially if you are into taildraggers.
 
Thank you. I will give her a call and see what she will do. Not too far away, and sounds close to what I'm looking for.

Is there an online airport map anywhere? I've been lacking in my searches. I'm kinda looking for an older, more relaxed fbo. Grass strip is fine with me.
 
SomeTexan said:
Thank you. I will give her a call and see what she will do. Not too far away, and sounds close to what I'm looking for.

Is there an online airport map anywhere? I've been lacking in my searches. I'm kinda looking for an older, more relaxed fbo. Grass strip is fine with me.
Click to expand...

Airnav.com

Skyvector.com
 
Luscombe 8A, will someone 6'4" fit in it? Take off with a cfi and enough fuel for a decent lesson? Any classics known to be tall people friendly?
 
Welcome to POA and good luck with your instruction. Lots of good contact and advice here!
 
Thank you Adam. There sure seems to be. I have been searching the site for a while before I registered, and that's why I joined.
 
SomeTexan said:
Luscombe 8A, will someone 6'4" fit in it? Take off with a cfi and enough fuel for a decent lesson? Any classics known to be tall people friendly?
Click to expand...

What is your purchase budget?

And while it appears you're excited about finding a plane to own, you might want to hold off a bit and rent for now. Get your basic flying skills developed in someone elses aircraft. This way "student pilot wear and tear" happens to their aircraft, not yours. And it gives you more time to learn about aircraft, narrow your choices, and search for the best available.

And while we mentioned Carol Walker at Midway, there is also a good instructor and school at Fort Worth Spinks. (near I-35W and south Loop 820). Additional good ones at Arlington Municipal, Grand Prairie Municipal, and Dallas Executive airports. Flight instruction is very much a quality of service proposition. If you can be flexible in your travel radius, you may find an even better instructor for you than one in your immediate back yard.
 
I hate the idea of renting. Ok, maybe a couple hours for basic ifr, but other than that, I want to go from start to finish in one (my own) aircraft. If it isn't mine, and I don't maintain it, I don't trust it, simple as that. I learned a long time ago (and it has been proven time and again) that of you want something done right, you have to do it yourself. As soon as rentals become more than "a few hours" and at the end of my training, I lose all interest. Also, I intend to start and finish with a taildragger. I refuse to learn in a c152/172, if I can go through my whole life having never touched one again, I will be happy.

My budget is 15-20k for an aircraft, putting an equal amount into an account for any expenses, then $40 per flight hr to keep the account building. My interest in aircraft include classic high wing, 2 or 4 place taildragger. Don't like the newer stuff, don't like low wing, the only tricycle gear planes that appeal to me are the Zenith CH series. I don't mind a no/limited electrics hand prop plane. Old stuff and doing things the old way is what I like, I don't intend to change just to fly. Luckily, the planes I like are available in my price range, I'm just trying to see what I would comfortably fit in. Found a beautiful Rearwin for a good price, I just wouldn't fit in it. Also, I want a flying project. Don't care if it is ugly if it is sound where it counts. Restoring it is very much part my interest.
 
short of getting a clapped out C-150...that you might not fit into.....I'm not seeing airplane ownership in your future.:no:

Possibly a club or a partnership....:yes:
 
40k won't buy and fly a 15k aircraft? A friend just bought a Stinson 108-2 with a 220hp Franklin for 16k. Current annual, less than 300hrs smoh. No corrosion, no rot, everything works. Cloth tests good but is ugly, interior needs some cleaning and some new seat covers etc.

Also, I mentioned trying to find an a&p that allows owner assist. If not, experimental here I come. Me turning my own wrenches is a lot of the appeal, but I'm a gearhead.
 
Experimental will cost you "more" to purchase.....:(

but....yes, you probably will be happier with that. :yes:
 
Check_My_Six, can't you register any aircraft as an experimental? I used to hear that if you didn't mind an experimental sticker, you could do whatever you wanted. And I know I've seen an experimental c172, so I know that doesn't only apply to homebuilts.

Lindberg, thank you for the info I needed. I now know that those 3 are possibilities. Trust me, I've been all over barnstormers, as well as a few others. I was hoping to get some sizing info here, so that after the first of the year when I've got the time, I will be able to get serious in my search. I don't want to be calling sellers and asking if they think I will fit in their plane.

Also, although I have a fairly small budget, that doesn't mean I can't afford more. I enjoy the challenge of doing things myself. And I am cheap. That doesn't mean I couldn't afford a new Cessna for each stage flight training; single, multi, turbine etc. I intend to be retired, touring the world in a yacht (with a small plane on board) by the time I am 40, and I am ahead of schedule. I got where I am with planning, tight budgets, creativity and hard work. I don't see why I can't make it work for me here. No one has to worry about some kid digging himself into a financial hole here.
 
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