Beginning Flying Questions

Cub Driver wrote:

Learning to fly is a hoot -- a lot more fun, in my opinion, than
actually being a pilot.

I found leaving each lesson completely mentally drained a great
experience. I'll second the "learning was fun" part, but not more fun
than being PIC. G

Learning to fly is a hoot -- a lot more fun, in my opinion, than
actually being a pilot.

???

If that's the case, you are clearly flying the wrong plane.

Nothing against Cubs, but there is NOTHING better than being a pilot,
hopping in the plane -- and landing in Florida/New York/Reno by
suppertime...
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

see www.aopa.org http://www.aopa.org/learntofly/

Pilot size and weight can be an issue, there are structural
limitations on seats and floor structure, but there is also
the issue of pilot shoulder width and such. Each airplane
can be a little different, depending on the exact model and
how it is equipped. You should sit in the airplane with
your instructor and see how you feel. You should do a
weight and balance calculation to be sure the center of
gravity and weight are within limits. This is a little like
balancing a teeter-totter.

Flying airplanes is not very physical, unless you are doing
air combat or aerobatics. The strength required to move the
controls is measured in ounces or just a few pounds, most of
the time you can do it with one finger.

Olathe, like all airports has choices. How you get along
with the school and instructor is as much personality as it
is skill and knowledge. Look at the school, the business
(FBO-fixed base operator) and talk with the instructor. Do
you see dirty airplanes, is the instructor too busy to talk
with you? Does the instructor explain his answers? Simply,
do you hit it off?


--
James H. Macklin
ATP,CFI,A&P
Wichita
--
The people think the Constitution protects their rights;
But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome.
some support
http://www.usdoj.gov/olc/secondamendment2.htm
See http://www.fija.org/ more about your rights and duties.


wrote in message
oups.com...
| Is there a FAQ that covers all beginning questions?
|
| I need one answer that will require someone just being
honest with me.
| I am 6 foot and weigh about 260 pounds. I play raquetball
and tennis
| weekly and coach two softball teams so I am not worried
about the
| physical aspects but wonder if a cessna 172 trainer will
be to tight to
| be comfortable in. Are there other 45 year old guys who
are overweight
| who fly? If the answer is you are too cubby to fly I
totally
| understand.
|
| Also, what is the first step? How do I find a good flight
school that I
| can trust if I know no other pilots? What if the local
school at the
| olathe kansas airport are bad and I don;t know enough to
know it.
|
| Thanks for any help!!
|

I am 6'2' and weigh 270lb. I found the 172 i trained in was definitely
tight and uncomfortable with my 140lb instructor, but not enough so to
keep me from flying every chance I got. The 172 was nice on the ground
because you could open the window and get a few more inches of room. I
switched to a warrior after solo. The warrior seemed to have more room.
I now own 1/2 of a Cherokee six and it has plenty of room.
wrote:
Is there a FAQ that covers all beginning questions?

I need one answer that will require someone just being honest with me.
I am 6 foot and weigh about 260 pounds. I play raquetball and tennis
weekly and coach two softball teams so I am not worried about the
physical aspects but wonder if a cessna 172 trainer will be to tight to
be comfortable in. Are there other 45 year old guys who are overweight
who fly? If the answer is you are too cubby to fly I totally
understand.

Also, what is the first step? How do I find a good flight school that I
can trust if I know no other pilots? What if the local school at the
olathe kansas airport are bad and I don;t know enough to know it.

Thanks for any help!!