third seatbelt in 172

I'm a new pilot (passed my checkride last Saturday). I have a wife and
three small children (all 6yrs and under).

Weight and balance would be OK to fit three kids in back of a 172, and it
looks like plenty of space (at least while they're young). Is it possible
to get a STC to install a third seatbelt?

If not, is there any other fixed-gear single in a similar price range that
could accomodate 5?

Thanks,

Adam

"The Weiss Family" wrote in message
...
I'm a new pilot (passed my checkride last Saturday). I have a wife and
three small children (all 6yrs and under).

Weight and balance would be OK to fit three kids in back of a 172, and it
looks like plenty of space (at least while they're young). Is it possible
to get a STC to install a third seatbelt?

No.



If not, is there any other fixed-gear single in a similar price range that
could accomodate 5?

No. An option is a third childs seat in the baggage area but it's a pretty
bad seat and would allow no luggage to be carried. You're gonna need a 206,
get your checkbook out.

The Weiss Family wrote:
I'm a new pilot (passed my checkride last Saturday). I have a wife and
three small children (all 6yrs and under).

Weight and balance would be OK to fit three kids in back of a 172, and it
looks like plenty of space (at least while they're young). Is it possible
to get a STC to install a third seatbelt?

If not, is there any other fixed-gear single in a similar price range that
could accomodate 5?

I'm thinking you're probably buying a plane that will last you a few years.
Those kids aren't going to be 6 forever.

OTOH, if you're newly licensed, I'd suggest waiting a little while to see what
your usage is. It'd be a shame to spend a lot on a huge weight-lifter and then
find out the wife and kids don't enjoy flying.

Get a checkout in a rental 210 or Saratoga, see how it works out, buy what you
need after you've better established your pattern of use.

Dave
Remove SHIRT to reply directly.

The Weiss Family wrote:

I'm a new pilot (passed my checkride last Saturday). I have a wife and
three small children (all 6yrs and under).

Congratulations! Welcome to the club!

If not, is there any other fixed-gear single in a similar price range that
could accomodate 5?

YES! The Socata TB-series (in your case, the -9, -10, and the new -200)
are all five-seat aircraft. The cabins are significantly wider than
Cessnas and Pipers (50" v. 41" and 42", if memory serves), and they're
certificated with five seatbelts--not even an STC. Great-flying
airplanes, too; I've flown Cherokees with both the straight and tapered
wings, and 172's, and I'd take my Tampico (TB-9, 160HP) any day.

I would second the thought voiced by others, though: they're not going
to be six forever. However, if you are thinking about trading up as you
build time, this would work great for you. I have a bunch of pictures
up at http://www.flight-instruction.com/images/n30391, and a short blurb
at http://www.flight-instruction.com/tb9.php.

If you want to talk more, feel free to send me e-mail. The address in
the headers is invalid (infernal spammers!), but the one in my .sig is good.

--Dave

--
Dave Buckles

http://www.flight-instruction.com

I'd like to thank everyone for your replies.
I was planning on getting into something smaller now, and then eventually
trading up to a cherokee six.
It sounds like the TB-9 might be worth taking a look at.

I think I'll probably fly for a year or so before I buy.
That should give me an idea of both how much of a plane I'll need.

thanks again,

Adam

"Dave Buckles" wrote in message
news:8X4pc.36613$pJ1.36307@lakeread02...
The Weiss Family wrote:

I'm a new pilot (passed my checkride last Saturday). I have a wife and
three small children (all 6yrs and under).

Congratulations! Welcome to the club!

If not, is there any other fixed-gear single in a similar price range
that
could accomodate 5?

YES! The Socata TB-series (in your case, the -9, -10, and the new -200)
are all five-seat aircraft. The cabins are significantly wider than
Cessnas and Pipers (50" v. 41" and 42", if memory serves), and they're
certificated with five seatbelts--not even an STC. Great-flying
airplanes, too; I've flown Cherokees with both the straight and tapered
wings, and 172's, and I'd take my Tampico (TB-9, 160HP) any day.

I would second the thought voiced by others, though: they're not going
to be six forever. However, if you are thinking about trading up as you
build time, this would work great for you. I have a bunch of pictures
up at http://www.flight-instruction.com/images/n30391, and a short blurb
at http://www.flight-instruction.com/tb9.php.

If you want to talk more, feel free to send me e-mail. The address in
the headers is invalid (infernal spammers!), but the one in my .sig is
good.

--Dave

--
Dave Buckles

http://www.flight-instruction.com

thanks for all the input!
I think I'll fly for a while and see how it goes. In the mean time, I'll
check out the TB-9.
Eventually, I'd like to trade up to a cherokee six.

thanks,

Adam


"The Weiss Family" wrote in message
...
I'm a new pilot (passed my checkride last Saturday). I have a wife and
three small children (all 6yrs and under).

Weight and balance would be OK to fit three kids in back of a 172, and it
looks like plenty of space (at least while they're young). Is it possible
to get a STC to install a third seatbelt?

If not, is there any other fixed-gear single in a similar price range that
could accomodate 5?

Thanks,

Adam

Hard to find, but Cessna 205 is cheaper than 210 or 206.
Charles
"Newps" wrote in message
...

"The Weiss Family" wrote in message
...
I'm a new pilot (passed my checkride last Saturday). I have a wife and
three small children (all 6yrs and under).

Weight and balance would be OK to fit three kids in back of a 172, and
it
looks like plenty of space (at least while they're young). Is it
possible
to get a STC to install a third seatbelt?

No.



If not, is there any other fixed-gear single in a similar price range
that
could accomodate 5?

No. An option is a third childs seat in the baggage area but it's a
pretty
bad seat and would allow no luggage to be carried. You're gonna need a
206,
get your checkbook out.

"Charles Felton" wrote in message
news:kyepc.51476$iF6.4672953@attbi_s02...
Hard to find, but Cessna 205 is cheaper than 210 or 206.

You don't want a 205. Only got 260 hp and has the 182 wing. Weighs more
than a 182. Gets outperformed by a 182. There's a reason they only made
'em for a couple of years.

Newps wrote:

"Charles Felton" wrote in message
news:kyepc.51476$iF6.4672953@attbi_s02...
Hard to find, but Cessna 205 is cheaper than 210 or 206.

You don't want a 205. Only got 260 hp and has the 182 wing.

It's a tri-gear version of the 185. Has the 185 wing and engine. Wingspan is 8"
greater than the 182.

Weighs more than a 182.

True.

Gets outperformed by a 182.

It's faster, climbs better, and can haul more than a 182. The 185, on the other hand,
will beat it.

George Patterson
I childproofed my house, but they *still* get in.

The early 182's are used for hauling skydivers and have been approved
for 5 jumpers with a pilot. Thats 6 people in a 182.
I've seen 7 people in a 182 with a 300lb pilot, now thats another story.

The seats have been removed to provide space and reduce weight.
Since the aircraft has been approved for 5 skydivers, you might be able
to get it approved for 5 people as long as you don't go out of the CG
envelope and have seat belts for each passenger.

Dave



G.R. Patterson III wrote:

Newps wrote:

"Charles Felton" wrote in message
news:kyepc.51476$iF6.4672953@attbi_s02...

Hard to find, but Cessna 205 is cheaper than 210 or 206.

You don't want a 205. Only got 260 hp and has the 182 wing.


It's a tri-gear version of the 185. Has the 185 wing and engine. Wingspan is 8"
greater than the 182.


Weighs more than a 182.


True.


Gets outperformed by a 182.


It's faster, climbs better, and can haul more than a 182. The 185, on the other hand,
will beat it.

George Patterson
I childproofed my house, but they *still* get in.