The battle of the low-time pilot

[Cat Driver]

My Cessna 150 tail wheel conversion was more difficult to land than a PA16.

And that is a fact.

[Grantmac]

My Cessna 150 tail wheel conversion was more difficult to land than a PA16.

And that is a fact.

This one was a piece of cake. It was riding on a set of 8.50 mains and a Scott 3200 so it felt pretty cushy.
Guess its like every other TW aircraft, it all comes down to the rigging.

Its a shame they don't have an STC to toss the yokes for some sticks, give the 150 some real class.

I still owe you that coffee sometime this summer.

-Grant

[Cat Driver]

I never flew the original Texas Taildragger conversion where they moved the main gear forward, mine was the extended gear version and it is very rigging critical.

The magic number for it was 1.5 degrees of toe out.

To bad the STC is no longer available because it is a real cheap airplane to own and the 150's just keep going on and on like the energizer bunny.

By the way if you reverse the energizer bunny's batteries he keeps coming and coming and coming.

[Shiny Side Up]

flying club in Calgary..

Good luck with starting one. It would be a big boost for general aviation to have a club..

Indeed. Unless you can find some way of getting around the runway use robbery they've enacted it would be hardly worth while. Bizarre idea that an airport should go out of its way to discourage aviation.

[trey kule]

I have not flown in Calgary for many years. Can you explaing about this runway robbery

[Beefitarian]

Obscene landing fee.

I had read here there was a weight restriction of no planes less than 12 000 lbs gross too, but then someone else said that was bogus.

Who can hook my up with 3 hours of dual in a plane that heavy for under $600? I'd like to see what it feels like be like to fly something the same gross as my work truck.

[trey kule]

What about Sprinbank or Okotoks? Even a grass field outside the control zone?

Not three hous, but if it is your dream, call the folks at Westjet. Maybe they will put you on their sim.

[Shiny Side Up]

I have not flown in Calgary for many years. Can you explaing about this runway robbery

They have a nice document online outlineing how they are going to shake you down.


http://www.calgaryairport.com/data//1/r ... y_2011.pdf

In addition to the aforementioned obscene landing fee, you're also looking at paying for the apron usage fee, and their AIF or airport improvement fee to be based there. Long story short, even as an itinerant GA aircraft, you could be looking at just shy of $100 just for the pleasure of touching their tarmac (don't forget GST!) nevermind everyone else who will want to siphon cash out of your pocket.

[Beefitarian]

I'm married, overweight and on here instead of finding work for me and my truck. My dreams are, Drinking scotch with mountain dew. Someday passing a cat 3, the PSTAR and a check ride. Getting a really high paying studio bass guitar gig or winning a bunch of money I don't deserve.

I got a PM about a nice shared 150 based at Okatoks but I'm too loaded with cheeseburgers and self loathing to fit in it.

If I did a shared plane I'd like to base it in Airdrie if possible. Springbank is too busy now. It took longer to get out of there last time I went than it ever did for me at YYC back in the late 1990s when I was still single and therefore thought I would become a commercial pilot and could afford to go flying all the time with my little flight instructor buddies.

[Shiny Side Up]

You need to get out of the house more Beef. Go hang around Airdrie every chance you get if that's your closest. Never know who you'll run into, never know when there's a seat available. Everytime you feel like posting on the intardnet, get out of the house and go watch airplanes or look at airplanes. Don't wait for aviation to come to you.

[Beefitarian]

That's not a bad idea. I'll have to take our 4.75 year old with me. I need to do a couple other key life changes too. While I'm outside the house. Try to find work around the airport and lay off the junk food.

[trey kule]

While its a well known fact that increasing the Scoth/mountain dew ratio and upping the intake makes you much wiser and more chariming, as well as the women around you prettier, it is not as well known that it treats self loathing as well.

the last I heard, some years ago, was that Airdrie had been bought out by a couple of the old boys from Calgary who were going to build planes there or something,and it was no longer being used as an airport. Is it still in use?

Nanton is a nice little drive and they have a fantastic aviation musuem (or did have). So does Calgary have one at the international.. five year olds will enjoy it Springbank is a ways out, but there are lots and lots of planes there, even if our modern mindset is to put up fences to keep interested people away from them.

there is nothing better to restore the enthusiasm than to hang out at one of the airport places like the flying club restaurant (if they still have it) and get involved in the chatter of the new pilots. Like newlyweds, they still have stars in their eyes.

[Beefitarian]

I'm not sure hanging out upstairs at the Calgary flying club with the little guy watching cartoons would improve the place immensly but it couldn't hurt it. I should probably pack a lunch, bring a cooler of mountain dew, coke, juice boxes and bottled water for sharsies/bribery purposes. I wonder if they still have internet? I could just bring the lappy here and business as usual with the added bonus of potentially running into live pilots in person. It wouldn't increase the amount of housework I do but it probably wouldn't get in the way if I only went 3 times a week either.

[Beefitarian]

the last I heard, some years ago, was that Airdrie had been bought out by a couple of the old boys from Calgary who were going to build planes there or something,and it was no longer being used as an airport. Is it still in use?

We could ask these guys, http://www.airdrieflyingclub.ca/cef4.htm

[trey kule]

I had a look. that looks like a great place to hang around. Maybe not as many fences, and the little one can touch a plane.

[Beefitarian]

I sat him in one of the CFC DA-20s. I should go for a flight in one I guess since I'm flying dual anyways. I fit but it's tight. I'm not interested in type checking in it as I could only take my kids and they don't seem interested. If I go flying with non-instructor pax it's usually my Dad.

[42hounds]

Hey there just bought a cessna 150e thinkin about do some mods on it. Did you do the conversions you self down north or did you buy it that way? Just askin because I know your plane. I use to turn wrenches in sioux for eagle and N.A.M.

Anyway old thread but I thought I would try.

[Beefitarian]

DownNorth has not been posting though he might be reading. You could try the "e mail" button under his post.

Have like 1000 $2 shares in what ever planes the group chooses a couple of diamonds or C-182s/C-172s, etc. Ownership shares would be seperate from club membership and would be an investment with a possibility for a return if the club wanted to place a return fee in the rental.

I must have been trying to say $200 shares or 200 guys at $1000. I don't think a club would be much fun with a $2000 airplane. Everyone taking turns wishing it could fly.

[Geo]

[quote="Beefitarian"I wonder if they still have internet? I could just bring the lappy here and business as usual with the added bonus of potentially running into live pilots in person.[/quote]

The Club has WiFi (not particularly fast, but they have it).

Springbank is actually a great airport (for this low timer anyway). It's really only crowded at two hour intervals, since all four flying schools follow the same schedule. But if you avoid taxiing out at 0820, 1020, 1250, and 1450 (or thereabouts) it's actually not bad.

If the circuit is full of students, tower will still get you a slot and slide you out pretty quick (they get a lot of practice). Heck, last Saturday my taxi/runup time was only 0.2. At 1340. It does help to pay attention and be ready to go when you taxi up to the hold line of course. Coming back is generally not a problem. I think the worst sequence I ever got was "you're number seven behind the 152 turning opposite base". But that sort of thing does keep you on your toes. And encourages you to keep your eyes out the window. (and that was at one of those busy Saturday afternoons at the "wrong" time)

To the OP: I'm a low timer like you. At first I rented a lot, but its' such a pain. Then I had the good fortune to find someone looking for a couple of partners for a PA-28. Got some expensive lessons pretty quick (not surprising that the engine needed work, but wasn't expecting it for a year or two - don't plan on just your purchase price!) but the best part of a partnership is sharing the learning (ok, and the costs) with others. And the decision making. You have a chance to bounce ideas and doubts and thoughts off each other. At least you do if you get good partners.

Your plane will (should) fly more and while I don't think it is going to come out cheaper, there is NOTHING like owning your own plane. (or a share). It really is the dream.

Keep looking until you find the right plane, AND the right partners. Happy flying!
g

[Beefitarian]

Hey Geo. At the time the existing club had a "fleet renewal charge". Supposedly over a year they managed to generate enough money to purchase a new plane. granted that was a DA-20 and they had 6 or more planes to rent out with that fee.

That gave me the crazy idea that if you get enough people together you could spread the cost out to purchase a much nicer plane than you might other wise afford in say a group of 10 partners. Hence Calgary, Vancouver or the GTA.

It does not really seem possible but imagine you manage to raise $300 000. Now you can buy a new 172 or a couple fairly nice 182s with a small loan. In theory they will be nice planes. Possibly new ones on warranty and not require as many repairs so the operating costs will be pretty low. Since it's dry rental fuel would still affect the individual's hourly rate but you could find the least expensive sources on trips.
How's this http://www.controller.com/listingsdetai ... 240135.htm? for a plane to have shares in?
Or a couple of these http://www.controller.com/listingsdetai ... 243465.htm?

In my club concept, it would be a true not for profit, everything would be put to a vote and all revenue would go into the aircraft and hanger costs.

In order to be a flying member you would have to volunteer to dispatch two or three days a year, more often if there are less members as it's spread over the membership to make sure someone is there each day. Dispatch would be where you hang around the office and sign a booking sheet with the renter, making sure the planes are returned on time, full of fuel and snag free or reported.

The more involved you were the more control you would have in direction. This of course could lead to something bad happening like a renegade group of members voting for selling the planes and buying monkeys. But hopfully not. As long as the members are involved in theory the best ideas should prevail.
(After being here for a bit over a year I'm less confident in that)