sterlingmossy
Pre-Flight
Hi,
I am looking for some perspective from some experienced pilots and wonder if I could pick your brains.
I have a dream to take several months off and fly around the USA with my wife at some point in the future. I am imagining a trip where we would plot out some really interesting places to see and meander from place to place, land at some interesting (short) strips, in no particular hurry, taking in the sights and the sounds.
I would like to be as safe a pilot as possible before starting the trip. I currently have around 130 hours and imagine taking the trip in 2020. I would like to put a program together between now and then that would make me as safe a pilot as possible. I think of it in the same way that I might plan and train for a long distance triathlon.
My question is this. What sould I include in my plan?
- Should I get my IFR rating? Some people say that this makes you a better pilot others say that single pilot IFR is crazy. Your thoughts?
- Assuming that I put in 10 hours a month 120 hours per year between now and 2020 I would end up with around 400 hours before I go. What are some of the best ways to spend that time flying to prepare? Particular exercises, activities, training?
- What is the best kind of plane for this kind of trip? My thoughts include:
1. Cessna 180 - I love the romance of a tail dragger like the all metal construction but worry about the age.
2. Maule m7 - I like that it is a more modern version of a 180 but worry that it has fabric parts and can be a handful to fly (yes I know this is a Cessna forum )
3. Cessna 182 - I like that it has a wider cabin, can be serviced anywhere, is well established and can be loaded up with sophisticated gear like a G1000 and GFC700 autopilot which I think could increase safety.
I know this is a mix of a training question and plane question so feel free to answer as you see best.
Many thanks
David
I am looking for some perspective from some experienced pilots and wonder if I could pick your brains.
I have a dream to take several months off and fly around the USA with my wife at some point in the future. I am imagining a trip where we would plot out some really interesting places to see and meander from place to place, land at some interesting (short) strips, in no particular hurry, taking in the sights and the sounds.
I would like to be as safe a pilot as possible before starting the trip. I currently have around 130 hours and imagine taking the trip in 2020. I would like to put a program together between now and then that would make me as safe a pilot as possible. I think of it in the same way that I might plan and train for a long distance triathlon.
My question is this. What sould I include in my plan?
- Should I get my IFR rating? Some people say that this makes you a better pilot others say that single pilot IFR is crazy. Your thoughts?
- Assuming that I put in 10 hours a month 120 hours per year between now and 2020 I would end up with around 400 hours before I go. What are some of the best ways to spend that time flying to prepare? Particular exercises, activities, training?
- What is the best kind of plane for this kind of trip? My thoughts include:
1. Cessna 180 - I love the romance of a tail dragger like the all metal construction but worry about the age.
2. Maule m7 - I like that it is a more modern version of a 180 but worry that it has fabric parts and can be a handful to fly (yes I know this is a Cessna forum )
3. Cessna 182 - I like that it has a wider cabin, can be serviced anywhere, is well established and can be loaded up with sophisticated gear like a G1000 and GFC700 autopilot which I think could increase safety.
I know this is a mix of a training question and plane question so feel free to answer as you see best.
Many thanks
David