> Can I do most of the solo hours in my own 'coup? Yes. There are only 10 to 20 solo hours in a private pilot certificate. The other 25+ are dual. Find a skinny CFI.
> and save money? No. It is guaranteed to cost your more! Flying more hours, Hangar, Insurance, Taxes, Repairs, inspections, and mostly MORE flying. We regularly turn-out privates with 42-45 hours. Those that buy planes get their privates at 80+hrs because they get side tracked with fixing stuff and flying for fun. > Do CFIs do that? So do and some don't... I teaching a guy now who bought a '59 C150, no intercom yet, weather checked tires, heater not working...but it flies fine and he has 5 hours and flies every day, since the only cost is fuel. So the real question is, how many hours do you want to fly in the next 12 months. If over a 100 hrs, buy the plane. If less than 100 hours, rent... Now flying a 100 hours.... - Fuel at $3 (auto fuel STC) and 5 gal/hour = $1500. - Oil and filter, $100 each 25 hours = $400 - Hangar = $200/month = $2400 - Insurance = 800/year = $800 - Annual Inspection = $1000 = $1000 - Sales tax on Purchase 8% on 25k = $2000 - Reserve for engine Overhaul 8/hr = $800 - Reserve for other upgrades 8/hr = $800 total cost = about 10,000 in the first year, and you didn't even buy a BoseX or a Garmin 696, or pay a CFI! But you did fly a lot more. - don't buy thinking you are going to save money! - I'd wait until after solo to buy so you prang someone else's plane. Well not prang it but wear out the shimmy damper/nose gear parts, brakes...stuff that students wear out. mitch -- Learn2fly www.chickashawings.com ---- Robert Worcester <[email protected]> wrote: ============= 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? Thanks, Robert -- Learn2fly www.chickashawings.com
