grattonja
Line Up and Wait
I'm no longer a renter, and my username has been changed to "Saratoga-Driver". I am now a confirmed, insured, checked out and soloed 1/12th of a 1981 Pa32-301 fixed gear Saratoga. I've joined the local flying club. With my short cross country flight today, from LNS to IPT and back (for lunch of course) I have now soloed the beast. It feels somewhat bigger than the skyhawks, archers and such that have been my bailiwick until now.
8385S will haul my family, including my in-laws, AND their baggage, for at least 4 hours (fuel to the tabs). Just my daughter and wife and I can go anywhere that 102 gallons useable will take us (it will take us way farther than anyone's bladder in the family for sure!). And we can haul enough junk back from vacation with full fuel to be embarrasing. We're back to our vacation baggage limit being what we can pack in a car to get to the airport (actually that plane will probably haul the contents of BOTH cars together, plus all three of us!).
I've put about 20 hours in various Saratogas in the last month, including a long trip down to Charleston SC and back with 5 people total on board (i.e. max gross takeoff). I've shot a number of approaches, including an entire morning of approaches down to mins. Someday I'll even learn not to flare too high!
I guess a flying club this small constitutes ownership. It did require a buy-in and all. Certainly closer to owning than anything I have done so far.
Anyway, thanks to all who contributed with input on the club and the aircraft.
Jim G
8385S will haul my family, including my in-laws, AND their baggage, for at least 4 hours (fuel to the tabs). Just my daughter and wife and I can go anywhere that 102 gallons useable will take us (it will take us way farther than anyone's bladder in the family for sure!). And we can haul enough junk back from vacation with full fuel to be embarrasing. We're back to our vacation baggage limit being what we can pack in a car to get to the airport (actually that plane will probably haul the contents of BOTH cars together, plus all three of us!).
I've put about 20 hours in various Saratogas in the last month, including a long trip down to Charleston SC and back with 5 people total on board (i.e. max gross takeoff). I've shot a number of approaches, including an entire morning of approaches down to mins. Someday I'll even learn not to flare too high!
I guess a flying club this small constitutes ownership. It did require a buy-in and all. Certainly closer to owning than anything I have done so far.
Anyway, thanks to all who contributed with input on the club and the aircraft.
Jim G
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