Populat Mechanics Octobrer issue

I never have understood the recreational pilot's license. It
takes pretty much the same amount of time, and still requires the PTS,

I got a recreational cert so I didn't have to transition to the 172.

checkride, and medical. It has glaring shortcomings in utility, however,
with only one passenger, and 50 miles from base. The proposed sport

Well, the Cub only carries one passenger. I seldom carry passengers in
any event; I am 71 and don't like to carry anyone who can't land the
plane in a pinch.

The 50 miles from base is a non-issue (I thought it was 25 miles). All
you need do is fly to an airport more than 50 miles and there make
three landings and takeoffs -- an easier XC requirement than for the
PPL. Thereafter the restriction is lifted forever. I fly all
over--well, as far as the Cub will take me in one day.

license makes more sense, since there's no medical required. If you go
through the trouble of a rec license, though, might as well do a few
cross-countries with a VOR and get the PPL.

Probably, but I would have had to fly the 172. That was a price I
wasn't willing to pay. It is in my opinion a perfectly awful vehicle,
on the lines of jet-skis and Nash Ramblers.

As for the sports pilot cert, it's not the FAA that will determine its
success or failure, but the insurance companies. I can't rent without
hull insurance, and even if I could I wouldn't fly without liability
insurance. If AIG will write insurance on the sports cert, I will
probably move over to one and save the hassle of the bienniel medical.

No--make that "might". The sport cert would prevent me from flying a
Super Cub, Husky, or Great Lakes, to name three planes I've flown with
great happiness.




all the best -- Dan Ford
email: www.danford.net/letters.htm#9

see the Warbird's Forum at www.warbirdforum.com
and the Piper Cub Forum at www.pipercubforum.com

In rec.aviation.owning Cub Driver wrote:
: Probably, but I would have had to fly the 172. That was a price I
: wasn't willing to pay. It is in my opinion a perfectly awful vehicle,
: on the lines of jet-skis and Nash Ramblers.

Just out of curiosity, what's so bad about the 172? I realize
it's got about as much sex appeal as an '87 Subaru station wagon with the
handling of a '67 pickup, but it's a forgiving trainer.

-Cory

--
************************************************** ***********************
* The prime directive of Linux: *
* - learn what you don't know, *
* - teach what you do. *
* (Just my 20 USm$) *
************************************************** ***********************

Just out of curiosity, what's so bad about the 172? I realize
it's got about as much sex appeal as an '87 Subaru station wagon with the
handling of a '67 pickup, but it's a forgiving trainer.

-Cory

That just it. It's a trainer and maybe not the best one because it is too
forgiving. I didn't really learn to fly an airplane until I learned to fly
my husband's Luscombe, then there was no turning back. We owned a C-172 for
over 5 years and put 900 hours on it ( I put 600 hours on it myself,
including my training), but flying it doesn't compare to the experience I
have flying my 8E. I fly with a stick in my hand and the wind in my hair.

Flying the Cessna is like having sex. Flying the Luscombe is like making
love. Nailing a good wheel landing or three-pointer is like seeing the
satisfied smile on your partner's face. There's no other feeling like it.

Deb

--
1946 Luscombe 8A (His)
1948 Luscombe 8E (Hers)
1954 Cessna 195B, restoring (Ours)
Jasper, Ga. (JZP)

Flying the Cessna is like having sex. Flying the Luscombe is like making
love. Nailing a good wheel landing or three-pointer is like seeing the
satisfied smile on your partner's face. There's no other feeling like it.

Wow.... Ahem.

Just curious: Do you give rides? :-0
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

("Henry and Debbie McFarland" wrote)
snip
Flying the Cessna is like having sex. Flying the Luscombe is like making
love. Nailing a good wheel landing or three-pointer is like seeing the
satisfied smile on your partner's face. There's no other feeling like it.


I know, I know. Don't rush the preflight - it's important too ...I guess.

Are we there yet? g

(Ducking, and running ...like a duck. Only Darwin ducks are in the air on
these wonderful September, Fall days. Bam, bam, bam, bam, bam)

--
Montblack

Just out of curiosity, what's so bad about the 172? I realize
it's got about as much sex appeal as an '87 Subaru station wagon with the
handling of a '67 pickup, but it's a forgiving trainer.

I don't know about the handling, but yes, it's hugely lacking in sex
appeal. But perhaps it's a local thing, having to do with the
condition of the two 172s owned by the airport. They are very weary.
Cracked green plastic seats; a shoulder belt (not a harness!) that
must be wrapped around the seat belt in order to keep it from jumping
out--that sort of thing. Whereas most of the Cubs have been pristine.
Hampton does all its primary training in Cubs; Dunn Aviation on the
field seems to specialize in restoring Cubs; there are several Cubs
based there. So Cub fever is in the air, and I caught it early and
hard. I fell in love with the plane the first time I flew it.

http://www.pipercubforum.com/roger.htm

The plane mentioned in that story, Four One Victor, was a 1940s L-4
owned by the Massachusetts Air Guard. It was later wrecked by a
student who applied the brakes during a high-speed taxi. It has since
been rebuilt and will soon come back on line.


all the best -- Dan Ford
email: www.danford.net/letters.htm#9

see the Warbird's Forum at www.warbirdforum.com
and the Piper Cub Forum at www.pipercubforum.com