Hello !!! First post here. I would like to introduce my self and ask the question in the subject.
I am in my forties, I live in the northeast and I decided now is the time to complete a dream of mine and learn to fly. After PPL, my plan is to take the family for trips around the area. Eventually, I would like to rent at different areas in the county and discover places flying.
With the COVID-19 lockdown, and after reading recommendations in a lot of forums, I decided to spent my time studying for the written test before I start any flying lessons. Two weeks ago I took the test and passed. Medical exam is next week just to get it out of the way as well. And then, the search for the right school/club starts (actually it has already started)
With zero flying experience and just by researching, eventually, after PPL, I will rent and fly a Cirrus. There are a few reasons why a Cirrus, but the major one is CAPS. I understand that CAPS is not the end-all in safety and I am reading about the flaws etc but it is important to me, especially when my family is onboard.
With all that said, a few thoughts and concerns I have:
--- With the thinking above, I am trying to decide if it is worth it to pay the extra money and learn to fly in a Cirrus (and all the technology etc that comes with it) or if I will be better off learn in a Piper and save the money. Based on some research in my area, the total cost (rent, instructor etc) for training in a Piper will end up being around $15K. Training in a Cirrus SR20 (2017 G6), in a Cirrus Certified Training Partner facility, total cost will be around $22K (in both cases the estimation is for about 60 hours. I understand it might be more or less). As a side note, I budgeted for the large amount.
--- Mostly for safety reasons, eventually (but not right away), I will also get IFR rating.
--- Obviously, becoming a good and safe pilot is the number one priority. I do have concerns that by learning in a Cirrus I will rely more on technology, automation etc. I am reading that learning to fly with a 6-pack will serve you better in the long run (since you don't have to rely on technology during the training) but that is debatable. It is a concern of mine though.
--- I am hoping that by training in a Cirrus, and in a Cirrus Certified Training Partner, I will not have to do the Cirrus Transition Training and save some money there. Anyone knows if this is a correct assumption?
--- Also, I am hoping that by training in a 215HP aircraft, I will not have to deal with High Performance training/endorsement/rating etc and save some money there as well.
--- Finally, maybe stupid thought is, after PPL, if I rent a faster airplane (more expensive to rent) and I get to my destination faster, I will end up spending a similar amount of money with renting a slower airplane (less expensive) and getting to my destination later. If not similar, the difference will not be that much. Probably I am wrong on this but it is a thought.
In any case, these are my thoughts as I am starting my journey.
PilotsOfAmerica forum has been a tremendous resource during my research. So... Thank you all !!!
I am in my forties, I live in the northeast and I decided now is the time to complete a dream of mine and learn to fly. After PPL, my plan is to take the family for trips around the area. Eventually, I would like to rent at different areas in the county and discover places flying.
With the COVID-19 lockdown, and after reading recommendations in a lot of forums, I decided to spent my time studying for the written test before I start any flying lessons. Two weeks ago I took the test and passed. Medical exam is next week just to get it out of the way as well. And then, the search for the right school/club starts (actually it has already started)
With zero flying experience and just by researching, eventually, after PPL, I will rent and fly a Cirrus. There are a few reasons why a Cirrus, but the major one is CAPS. I understand that CAPS is not the end-all in safety and I am reading about the flaws etc but it is important to me, especially when my family is onboard.
With all that said, a few thoughts and concerns I have:
--- With the thinking above, I am trying to decide if it is worth it to pay the extra money and learn to fly in a Cirrus (and all the technology etc that comes with it) or if I will be better off learn in a Piper and save the money. Based on some research in my area, the total cost (rent, instructor etc) for training in a Piper will end up being around $15K. Training in a Cirrus SR20 (2017 G6), in a Cirrus Certified Training Partner facility, total cost will be around $22K (in both cases the estimation is for about 60 hours. I understand it might be more or less). As a side note, I budgeted for the large amount.
--- Mostly for safety reasons, eventually (but not right away), I will also get IFR rating.
--- Obviously, becoming a good and safe pilot is the number one priority. I do have concerns that by learning in a Cirrus I will rely more on technology, automation etc. I am reading that learning to fly with a 6-pack will serve you better in the long run (since you don't have to rely on technology during the training) but that is debatable. It is a concern of mine though.
--- I am hoping that by training in a Cirrus, and in a Cirrus Certified Training Partner, I will not have to do the Cirrus Transition Training and save some money there. Anyone knows if this is a correct assumption?
--- Also, I am hoping that by training in a 215HP aircraft, I will not have to deal with High Performance training/endorsement/rating etc and save some money there as well.
--- Finally, maybe stupid thought is, after PPL, if I rent a faster airplane (more expensive to rent) and I get to my destination faster, I will end up spending a similar amount of money with renting a slower airplane (less expensive) and getting to my destination later. If not similar, the difference will not be that much. Probably I am wrong on this but it is a thought.
In any case, these are my thoughts as I am starting my journey.
PilotsOfAmerica forum has been a tremendous resource during my research. So... Thank you all !!!
