Any old fat guys learning to fly

[Bear319]

I have been reading the site for a while and am impressed with the people and experience here, I realize you are all way over my head and hope to learn. I am 45 years old and want to train get my PPL. I took some training in Lloydminter back in the early 80's,had 30 hrs in a 172, about 12 hrs solo, but had to quit due to lack of funding. I also worked with an aerial spraying operation in Southern Alberta for a season on ground crew and had a great time, they had ultra lights I used to take up and bomb around with when no one was around LOL I got out of it due to poor pay and went to work in the oil patch, and the time to get back into it flying has come. I have an older brother in Fort St John who runs around in a nice little 172 he bought a few years ago, and my oldest brother owns his own helicopter outfit in Prince George BC, so flying must be in the family blood a little. It won’t be my initial dream of flying for a living, but I can live with doing it for fun. I don’t think anyone trains in Medicine Hat any more, so where is the best place to go? I am thinking about buying a 185 or similar to do the training in. I would like to get my PPL, IFR, and a night endorsement. I am a big guy, so I have to watch what I fly, when I was training in Lloyd years ago and they did most of their training in 150’s. My instructor Steve was a big lad as well and we did up the weight and balance and we could only carry about 15 min of usable fuel, so we had to go with the 172. Medical will not be a problem as my doctor is a flight surgeon and has said no problems with a medical. So, anyone have any comments or suggestions? Am I nuts??

[Bede]

I would go to a school with a C172. If you're thinking of buying and you want something that can carry yourself and family, go with the C182. The C185 will be lots for insurance (being a taildragger). Best of luck with training.

[200hr Wonder]

I am a younger fat guy and really a 172 should be just fine for the PPL. As for what to buy maybe make that decision after some training and assessing you needs wants. I would think that a rented 172 to train in would not be costing much more than buying your 182/185 in terms of per hours cost. Also training can be hard on an aircraft in terms of wear and tear.

[kiloindiapapa]

Am I nuts??

You would only be nuts if you did not follow your desire and get your license. Be careful and dont overextend yourself and buy a 182 or 185 that could be tough for insurance and maintenance cost. If money becomes an issue you will most lilkely lose quit again. A nice 172 should be fine and you can get a good early to late 60's modle for about $35-40K. Once you have the license and some more hours, insurance should not be such an issue and then you will be able to assess how many hours you fly and what plane will fit you and your budget the best.

Too many people get lost in the type of plane they want and dont get what they need and it just does not turn out right. When I had my Cessna 150 I was just happy to be able to get into the air. Even going back to it from bigger planes I notice how much fun it is because it reminds me that I just want to enjoy flying and that plane is like a little sports car up there where the bigger stuff demands more from you and sometimes you miss the pure joy of just flying.