One valuable resource you forgot to mention in “Buy Your Own Bird” (July 2015 Flight Training) are type clubs that focus on specific aircraft models. Between their newletters, magazines, or websites, they offer more in-depth experience with flight characteristics, weight and balance, maintenance, options, and those pesky service bulletins that must also be checked before a transaction is considered. A mechanic familiar with your chosen aircraft can spot some of those and recommend repairs and costs to negotiate into a purchase.
I’ve been a member of the American Bonanza Society for more than a decade and its Beech clinics and flight training courses really help a pilot/owner understand the nuances of the airplanes we fly. Cessna, Mooney, Cirrus, and others also have programs devoted to their aircraft as well. Define your mission—and choose an aircraft to fit that mission and your budget. Keep in mind, if it’s a retractable-gear aircraft with more than 200 horsepower, you will need to spend at least 10 hours or more with an approved pilot to obtain your high-performance rating. Your insurance man will ask. I learned that after I bought my 1977 Bonanza. There’s nothing like having your own aircraft—share the passion wherever you go!
Jon Lamphier
Albert Lea, Minnesota
Passenger briefing
Kudos on your terrific “Technique: Passenger Briefing” in the July 2015 Flight Training. It is powerfully concise in conveying all the key elements of such a briefing, including several important items I’ve now added to my own future briefings. Well done.
An additional element I include in my own passenger briefings is to ignore any flashing lights, bells, or horns. Nonpilots often assume any flashing light means “Emergency!” I’ve actually had passengers report sweating an entire flight watching the yellow transponder reply light, or after seeing the signal-lost “Warning” on my GPS navigator.
Greg Brown
Flagstaff, Arizona
Erratum
“Preflight: Amp Your Ride” (August 2015 Flight Training) incorrectly stated that a high-performance endorsement encompasses engines of 200 horsepower or greater. High performance refers to engines with greater than 200 horsepower. Flight Training regrets the error.
We appreciate your comments. Please email letters to [email protected]. Letters will be edited for style and space.
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