> I'm looking to buy an Ercoupe, then saving for my lessons. It's a 415- > D therefore I'm looking at near $8000 for my PPL. My question is: Can > I do most of the solo hours in my own 'coup and save money on the > rentals? Do CFIs do that?
Robert, The short answer is, mostly, yes. What a CFI will do in flying a student's plane is up to that CFI. But, most will teach in your plane. The CFI should be checked out by an experienced Coupe pilot on the few, but important, special behaviors of Coupes. If your Coupe will be a 2-control, then you need to look back to 11:10 this morning in the forum messages and read the thread about "Restriction on Private Pilots Certificate." It goes pretty thoroughly through the issue of taking lessons in a 2-control Coupe then going for your checkride. If your new plane is 3-controls, then just make sure your Designated Pilot Examiner will fit with you within the Coupe's gross weight limit and still have enough fuel for the checkride (probably 1 hour plus mandatory VFR reserve). All is copacetic when your Coupe is a 3-control in terms of getting the license without the Ercoupe Only restriction (which would require you to go for another checkride to get that removed, later). Welcome to the group and Coupe flying. Maharashi Mahish Ed hold the envelope to his head and predicts you'll love Coupe flying. Ed
