Private Pilots License

[Killgore]

While you verify the accuracy of my post, allow me to throw another interesting fact on the table. The Luftwaffe had 103 pilots that had over one-hundred kills. The Eastern Front was not a particularly pleasant place to serve, regardless of whose side you were on.



Ed

 

[BSeyler]

Big,

You have a PM.

Bud

 

[Flying_gage]

Big just adding my . 02 here. I think the best recommendation so far is go to the FSDO closest to you. You would be surprised at the red tape that can be cut through in checking in there and being on your best behavior. They are humans too, (for the most part).



I would also second the LSA route. In the end if you ain't doing it for money, that will be a natural fit for you. I kind of wish that the LSA category was around when I got my private in '92. Only downfall is the cabin size and the resulting engine size, (especially around mountains on the last point).

 

[BIGNASTY]

Big,



You have a PM.



Bud

Bud have sent a PM back at ya thanks again for your efforts. BIG

Big just adding my . 02 here. I think the best recommendation so far is go to the FSDO closest to you. You would be surprised at the red tape that can be cut through in checking in there and being on your best behavior. They are humans too, (for the most part).



I would also second the LSA route. In the end if you ain't doing it for money, that will be a natural fit for you. I kind of wish that the LSA category was around when I got my private in '92. Only downfall is the cabin size and the resulting engine size, (especially around mountains on the last point).

I was telling Bud the instructor that I will be scaring the hell out of went with us to Helena yesterday to get things rolling, quite a career in the Coast Guard flying C130's. We discussed what the intent was of me getting a ticket, when we told him to fly in and out of a remote home location he kind of looked hesitant and made the comment that it will take some time to get to where most feel comfortable with that. I can see his point not that we are thinking of living in the mountains and have a postage stamp landing strip, during the winter depth perception and bright white conditions make for some pretty iffy distance judgment calls, I experienced this when in the mountains the way we go on horseback. He said that he might have to go with us for at least the first couple of years just to make sure that im good to go. :-laf I asked if that was part of the payment plan then consider it DONE starting in a couple of weeks, we will get the first payment going by taking him hunting Have a physical next week and get the hand controls ordered. So its up to me, He asked Penny about all this, she is a bit apprehensive about flying in a small plane but if it has wheels a motor and steering wheel Gail can do it. And this coming from a gal that has white knuckles going over bridges :-laf

 

[Blu-meanie]

I worked with a guy that was a dumpster diver and pilot. His wife wouldn't fly with him until he demonstrated the thing would take off and land first, then she would get into the aircraft. He was even cheaper than me. Smart lady.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Big just adding my . 02 here. I think the best recommendation so far is go to the FSDO closest to you. You would be surprised at the red tape that can be cut through in checking in there and being on your best behavior. They are humans too, (for the most part).



I would also second the LSA route. In the end if you ain't doing it for money, that will be a natural fit for you. I kind of wish that the LSA category was around when I got my private in '92. Only downfall is the cabin size and the resulting engine size, (especially around mountains on the last point).

This is a choice that I have to look into but would like to go the whole route, ive always been one to, if your going to do something DO IT!!! It will be for just the Wife and I transportation, in the winter it would be next to impossible to plow the drive to the hwy its a very long way, and the snow really is a problem. The place as you can see is pretty open. The picture is NOT the place its a friend of my FIL's that would be about 15 miles away, he flies in and out also in winter its just not realistic to think about driving. His plan is to fly to Shelby MT jump in a car and do what he wants then fly home. Obviously this takes some planning before winter sets in, I don't know the weight cap of his plane but don't think that its all that much and im sure he don't fly out to get a box of cereal and some milk, Personally I don't want to go to town if possible, im tired of dealing with people and would just as soon go talk to my mules they make better conversation. Our plan is to Fly to Seeley its a 170 mile drive thru Glacier Nat Park or 250 if you go around the park (because of snow closure) Leave a car with family in Seeley and do what need be done and fly back. Maybe a trip or two a month at most.



Anyway that's the idea, don't know if it would work but it has for FIL's friend for around 10 years.



BIG

 

[jhenderson]

That is the best use of general aviation. Trips of 150-750 NM. Cut 20% off the driving mileage and less than 1/2 the time. Plus no traffic= no stress.

 

[FourBarR]

Hi Big Been watching your posts for quite sometime. When I saw the pilots licence thing I thought I would chime in.

Was a flight instructor for 8 or 9 years in Canada. Also had a USA private licence.

Dont know if this will fit what you are planning to do, but there is an airplane called ERCOUPE. The original ones had no rudder pedals. Some were modified later to install them. Its only seats pilot and one passenger.

On take off and landing you steer it by the control wheel. Check it out if interested at www.Ercoupe.org

 

[BIGNASTY]

Hi Big Been watching your posts for quite sometime. When I saw the pilots licence thing I thought I would chime in.
Was a flight instructor for 8 or 9 years in Canada. Also had a USA private licence.
Dont know if this will fit what you are planning to do, but there is an airplane called ERCOUPE. The original ones had no rudder pedals. Some were modified later to install them. Its only seats pilot and one passenger.
On take off and landing you steer it by the control wheel. Check it out if interested at www.Ercoupe.org

So what was it, I know that to fly you really don't need anything but aileron and elevator, kind of a strange idea no rudder peddles!! so on the ground the wheel just controlled the nose gear?

Im WAY AHEAD of myself, I haven't even been airborne with an instructor. And im looking at planes, don't know if a trike gear would work with ski's for snow haven't seen any anyway. Im happy you decided to chime in, all opinions are welcome (well if you've been looking around SOME ARENT :-laf ) But that's a different nightmare. The person that I know that does this already has a Cessna 172 that has a tail dragger conversion, he bought it that way and said the conversion would be super expensive if it were to be done by someone. I will have time to figure things out anyway this idea is just getting off the ground, and its bare land so everything will have to start from scratch AGAIN. The whole idea stems from FIL wanting to use some land that he owns and wants to run cattle on it, its to far to commute to work it so the wife and I were a thought, happily for us.

Again FourBarR
Don't be a stranger chime in anytime
BIG

 

[BIGNASTY]

Is this nuts or what? almost vertical both landing and take off :-laf







http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=bPSElw8qEsI

 

[jhenderson]

Super Cubs fly at under 40 kts. Listen to the video. Sounds like the wind is 20 + kts. That makes for short ground runs. That is not to take away from the pilot. He knows how to make the most of his plane. .

 

[BIGNASTY]

Super Cubs fly at under 40 kts. Listen to the video. Sounds like the wind is 20 + kts. That makes for short ground runs. That is not to take away from the pilot. He knows how to make the most of his plane. .

OH!!! No doubt the guy knows what's going on, it just floored me that it was so lightly put down and just a slight roll and bounce off a rock and AWAY WE GO!!

 

[BoeingDiesel]

BN, if you decide to proceed with the PPL, are you considering buying an aircraft?

 

[BIGNASTY]

Yes, I cant see how we could rent because I hope to make only 1 or 2 trips into town for supplies a month.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Sorry I hit the wrong button and it posted. Other than the airplane supplies could be brought to the drive at the hwy and then taken to the house. A thought was to build a small garage at the hwy and snowmobile to it and take the car from there, it has been done but there has been many problems with theft and cars being vandalized, happens no matter where you go. I also have a sleigh for the mules so if things are brought to the hwy that are to large for the snowmobile I can use the mules and sleigh. From the Hwy to the home site is approximately 5 miles off the hwy.

 

[BoeingDiesel]

BN, based on your location and weather cycles I’m thinking a tail dragger would be your best choice. They are a little touchy but will by far serve you better in your part of the world. There is also something else to consider and that is useful payload. You might laugh at my suggestion but what about an L19/O1? The bird has lots of power and probably 700-lbs, or so, of useful payload, not to mention that you probably wrenched on a few of those back in the day

Also, I'm sure it could be fitted with Trickair skis for snow Ops... just a thought.



Check this link on another type bird.



http://www.controller.com/listingsdetail/aircraft-for-sale/AMERICAN-CHAMPION-7-GCBC-EXPLORER/2010-AMERICAN-CHAMPION-7-GCBC-EXPLORER/1291157.htm



You've got a lot of training to do before that happens but never hurts to plan ahead.

 

[BIGNASTY]

I have plenty of time for training the property is bare so EVERYTHING will have to be built before the move. In this part of the world good building weather don't last to long. Example this year we built 3 hay barns 2 of them were almost 200 ft wide and 300 ft long the third was 250ft wide and 600 ft long and then a regular 40x60 barn for livestock and some farm equipment. We had the foundations in the ground on the first 2 American steel span building the big span building we formed the foundation and put it up this summer also. the livestock barn was ground floor so just build it. Working about 15 hour days 6 sometimes 7 days a week since the middle of April we got them up and two homes built and finished them ALL just this last week. Sometimes it was 2 or 3 in the crew and sometimes it was MANY just depended on the peoples time constraints.

This project has to have everything from ground up so we are thinking a 2 year build cycle to get it JUST GOING, and working cattle on it. Their needs come BEFORE ours. So this leave like 2 or 3 years to learn to fly. I didn't think that it was going to be a quick thing im not that naïve. I know that looking at aircraft is WAY TO SOON but never hurts to get some ideas. I like the looks and workings of the Piper Super Cub. Figureing the weight of the wife and myself it could still carry some weight, naturally its going to take some planning in the summer or drivable months to lay in a LARGE supply of the essentials not only for us but the cattle cant do well on snow so the hay and feed need to be brought in a stored someplace. For the most part Penny and I are Pretty self sufficient with the animals and garden/greenhouse that we have for dairy products and animals as well for food, so wouldn't need to carry all that much in the plane when we do make a trip into town, and have a weekend away for some R and R.

I have looked at the old Bird Dog it would be interesting to say the least

 

[BIGNASTY]

BD Im sure that even during the summer months that landing on a grass field at both ends of the journey would require tundra tires. Seeley has an airstrip but its grass, there are people using it but only with certain airplanes its not like a commuter airport at all, snow all winter its groomed because the Forest Serv. planes use it and have seen some pretty good sized fire fighting planes land on it.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Took a look at the O1 it does carry a payload!!! for its size

 

[BoeingDiesel]

Good deal. You've got time to get your ticket and research aircraft. There is no doubt in my mind the Super Cub is a great plane but I'm kind of partial to the Citabria Decathlon. Tundras' would be a very wise choice in your application and the great thing is, you'll be associating with people that do this type of flying.

Best

gregg