Robert, That is a great story...
First, before investing in the plane or lessons toward the PPL, make sure you can pass the FAA medical. You probably know your health situation, but it does no harm to go to your own physician to determine whether you have any problems that would prevent you from flying. In addition, if you have a minor program that may become major (boarderline high blood pressure, tendency toward high blood pressure) you might not want to take the FAA Medical until you understand all the facts around any illness and the options you have. Next, my opininon (sight unseen) is that the airplane might be a bargain. Where was it stored, has the owner done anything to protect the engine while it has not been flown,? Have animals built nests inside or mice been urinating on structural components that can create major repair challenges? If you are flying for your own pleasure, figure things like insurance, minor maintenance, the required annual maintenance, storage (hangar or tie down), fuel and the time on the engine. All of these have a cost component which you need to factor into your ownership plan. I restored one 3 years ago... Did some of the work under the supervison of an A&P mechanic which save me some money, but not everyone has that option. Good luck! John On Tue, Jan 27, 2009 at 1:08 PM, Robert Worcester <[email protected]>wrote: > The 415-D is not an LSA, therefore not eligible for me to get the Sport > Pilot's > license and save money. The $8000 I referred to was for the full blown PPL > (Private Pilot's License). > > Let me share my dream. > > I recently found an 53-year old picture of myself standing beside an > Ercoupe. I > was about 4 or 5 years old. Seeing the picture stimulated memories of that > day > in 1955. I remember the flight. I remember flying over Chance Vought in > Grand > Prairie TX, where my dad worked. I recall having trouble seeing out the > window. > My dad wouldn't let me out of the seat belt and it was a real stretch to > see the > ground. At the end of the flight, I don't remember posing for the photo, > but > there I was, standing beside an Ercoupe which had the N-number visible. > > I realized that's what sparked my interest in aviation so many years ago. > As a > child, I would always play with my airplanes much more than my cars and > trucks. > Since the day of that flight so many years ago, I have dreamed of flying. > > After looking up 'N' number on the tail, I discovered it was an Eroupe. I > began > reading about them and learned this is truly a unique airplane. I printed > the > picture and mailed it to the guy that now owns the plane. (Gee, I wonder if > he > reads this group). He said he had a heart attack and could not longer fly. > We > talked for an hour and he finally asked if I would like to buy that plane. > After > explaining that I wasn't sure if I could afford it, he offered it for > $10,000 > and said it has been upgraded to a new C-85 engine, rudder pedals > installed, all > the directives have been completed, now rated at 1400 lbs, etc etc, only > it's > been sitting for 3 years. He said I would need an A&P to kit the carburetor > and > do the annual. > > My friends tell me I could double or triple my investment but I'd simply > like to > keep it, knowing it might take $5000 to get it airworthy and $8000 for my > license. After reading about the Ercoupe, I love them, and I must have one. > > I suppose the gamble is not knowing how much it has deteriorated in the > past 3 > years since he flew it last. Your input on this issue is appreciated. I'd > like > to hear the pros and cons of airplane ownership and suspect I would fly > more > than 100 hours each year. > Thanks, > Robert > > >Robert > >When you mention $ 8,000, are you talking cost of the plane plus lessons? > >If so, I would be very concerned about the mechanical condition of such an > inexpensive airplane. > >Can you clarify for us? > >Eliacim Cortes > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: Robert Worcester > > To: [email protected] <ercoupe-tech%40yahoogroups.com> > > Sent: Monday, January 26, 2009 9:33 PM > > Subject: [ercoupe-tech] Prospective Student and Ercoupe Owner > > > > > > 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 > > > >
