Would You Buy A Plane Just For Training?

We just bought an airplane to teach our daughter to fly in. After a lot of thought, we went with a Cessna 172. Great trainer, fairly low cost to operate and maintain.

The thing about owning is you will use it more, and you can love your airplane. It's hard to love a rental.

Dave
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That is awesome! Is that a powerflow sticking out under the cowling? Nice looking plane.

 

I wouldn't, especially if I didn't have the time to commit to flying it. The worst thing you can do to an airplane is to let it sit, and you really won't gain the proficency you need training infrequently in your own airplane.

Why not hold onto your cash until you can commit to completing your primary training? Once you have the time, you will also have the money to get the job done efficiently in the rental of your choice without having to deal with the distraction, demands, and expense of airplane ownership.

Good luck!

 

Rentals you don't love, and there is no pride of ownership so they get beat up.
Your own is expensive and may not get enough use.

Club or shared ownership is the way to go. Pride of ownership, well-used by caring owners, and fixed costs are split.

 

Thanks, Exhaust is a new Knisley mated to a zero time engine from Triad in North Carolina.

Dave

 

Remember this day Tillman?
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I did the bulk of my instrument training in my Arrow before she went to a new home (in MUCH better shape than she showed up in). It was a good plane for that and, in addition to getting IFR hours, I got a lot of complex time. I feel pretty well-prepared for my next ride, most likely a six place of some yet to be determined type.

What I'm getting at is that I would look at options that aren't so limiting if you really want to have a good go at this pilot stuff. A 152 is good for basic PPL and a few $100 hamburgers and that's about it. Nothing wrong with that if it floats your boat and suits your mission, but I wouldn't advise anyone to buy a 150/152. There are more versatile options out there for not THAT much more. Granted, my plane was kind of a PITA except for it's handling and unusually sound high-time engine, even after a PPI. So, be very careful and well aware of the potential proclivities of whatever you are considering.

I don't know about you guys, but I'd be kicking the firewall of a 150 to try to make it go faster

DONT get sucked into a leaseback. I did for a while, and I don't know many people it has worked out for. Even if the FBO is fair and perfectly straight laced, renters can be real A-holes.

 

IMO SR22 is way too much for basic training. I trained in a SR20 which was borderline and it took me a hell of a long time to land it. When I flew a 172 for the first time I wished I had trained in that.

Also, the thermal shock of pattern work and other practice that involves abrupt throttle changes is not so good for that big old IO-550. I owned a SR22 and it cracked 2 jugs on us.

And I was terrified of slow flight with the no spin rule on a Cirrus. At least you can spin a 172 and I am a big advocate of spin training. Such a load off to just do it.