Hi Tandy,
It depends on the examiner he would ultimately have. More than a few
got their private learning in a coupe and took their check ride in it.
I picked my own examiner, and I urge everyone to do so. For a check
ride in a 415-C or CD you want a reasonable one that doesn't weigh a
lot (females have an advantage). The examiner with a "reputation" for
being a hard ass is on an ego trip one indulges only at considerable
risk to their pocketbook and confidence. Avoid them.
Much of the transition time "required" to transition from a two-control
Ercoupe to a rented Cessna 150 or Cherokee can be "milking the process"
by the FBO and/or instructor...it's not that big of a deal, but they
make their calculated profit on every hour they sell; and so may be
(unreasonably?) conservative in dual time "requirements" before renting
for solo flight test use.
Consider also that anyone who gets their "unlimited" license in a
Cessna 150 or Cherokee and then tries to hop in a Grumman Yankee
without professional help will likely kill themselves on the first
flight. The same is true with almost any tail dragger (there is no
"tri-gear only" restriction). Similarly, the adverse yaw
characteristic of a Taylorcraft makes it a whole different bird in the
air than a three-control coupe or Cherokee (and that is most definitely
NOT a compliment).
It is more than worthwhile to learn to pilot a coupe well from the
right seat, and to keep that skill current. I taught myself on a calm
spring day, but having an instructor or competent coupe pilot friend
along for the first three touch-and-goes may be a better choice for
some. This ability makes it easy to get non-professional competent
help before solo flight in an unfamiliar aircraft type from a competent
and proficient owner or prior owner.
I would go so far as to say that 99% of the people who learn to fly in
a two-control Ercoupe could fly a three-control one without help (if
crosswinds were limited to 10 MPH), and could take a check ride in one
with one hour of familiarization in it by a knowledgeable instructor.
Is anyone instructing in and/or renting three-control coupes? If so,
we need a list kept current.
The better option for a student "cleared for the check ride" by his
instructor may be to get "signed off" by his/her instructor for solo
flight to and from wherever there is a three-control coupe (AND an
acceptable examiner) available. This doesn't have to be local.
The fact that you can't demonstrate recovery from a spin in a coupe on
the check ride should mean nothing. ALL possible instruments useful
for instrument flight do not HAVE to be in the plane used for an
instrument ticket check ride. Instrument proficiency only has to be
demonstrated with (minimum) equipment installed.
Does anyone know if a person trains for a Sport Pilot license in a
two-control coupe and takes the check ride in it receives a two-control
restriction endorsement or not? The endorsement (or lack thereof) on a
license does not make a pilot safe.
It is the proficiency of the pilot, and his/her judgment, that makes a
safe pilot. Most examiners do not expect perfection. What they do
expect is good judgment. They expect the applicant to know their
limitations, and stay well within them; and some will pass an applicant
who does something wrong, knows it, and demonstrates they can then do
it right (not get rattled).
Every newly minted "private pilot" should never cease to expand and
polish their minimum skill set to exquisite sharpness in a never-ending
quest for perfection aloft. There is much joy, confidence and safety
thusly achievable.
Regards,
William R. Bayne
.____|-(o)-|____.
(Copyright 2009)
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On Jan 26, 2009, at 11:07, Tandy Allen wrote:
Guys - A possible buyer of my Coupe wants it to learn to fly in.
Would his certificate be restricted to flying Coupes?
Tandy
