Commuting in an RV-7?

[Sam Buchanan]

Originally Posted by Deap82

Hello,

I have a few questions for the Vans Air Force team. I do not have a pilots license yet and if enough people think I'm crazy, I won't pursue it. I am contemplating getting my license and buying a pre-built RV-7. I plan to make 30 round trips per year (majority April through Sept) from KCPR to 1D1. Commercial airliners are not a good option for this route as that would take 9-11 hours per leg, vs under 3 hours in an RV7. The majority of the time I would depart KCPR at 5pm on Thursday or Friday and return to KCPR on Sunday evening. 95% of my flights would be between these two airports. I would have some flexibility in departure times.

What other things should I consider for this plan? Would IFR cert be necessary?
I like the RV7 for its speed and versatility and I am prepared for the financial commitment.

I would like to hear everyone's thoughts.

Thank you

If you were a good friend of mine, I would do my best to talk you out of your plan. Considering your lack of flying passion, "need" to fly over inhospitable terrain at night in a single-engine experimental aircraft you didn't build, on a schedule, with limited flying experience......bad idea. A lot of experienced pilots would not take on this scenario.

I suggest you take some flying lessons in a rental aircraft to see if this aviation thing appeals to you enough to consider pursuing a path of education that rivals a college degree in dedication required. After 20+ hours of instruction you might be in a better position to evaluate your options, especially if it triggers a desire to devote a good portion of your time to becoming a proficient IFR pilot.

Best wishes regardless of what you decide, and thank you for considering an RV.

[texdog]

Even thinking about operating on a schedule from Casper, Wy. As a new pilot is extremely difficult. I operated out of Wyoming for 10 years in all kinds of airplanes from jets to super Cubs, the weather isn't hospitable to a schedule. The wind in Casper is awful, the ice in spring and fall is unpredictable. I operated a schedule to ND from Wyomimg, it required 2 twins, fully deiced, to make that work and I only did it twice monthly.

[DAS]

I agree with Sam on this one.

If your my friend, I'd rec that you pursue your license and an IFR rating at a minimum, spend half of what it would cost to buy a quick build kit on a good general aviation, stable IFR platform and get experience flying.

If you have a passion to build, you can always do that later. The time and energy commitment needed to build is not small. If you have a busy career, you need to focus your energy on one extra thing at a time. The commitment to just obtain a license is quit large.

Don't mean to open up a can of worms, but If I were gonna depend on general aviation to commute, much at night, I'd want to have a Multi engine and be very proficient IFR.

All of this can be done, but I'd be afraid that trying to accomplish it all too quickly, will only lead to frustration.


das

[Low Pass]

Sorry for piling on. But I'll see you and raise you two. No passion for aviation, motion sickness in a -172, and wanting to go with EXP-AB. No deal.

You have to understand that no two E-AB planes are the same. You must really be in tune with your one single airplane. Or find an A&P who is. Back to being concerned about cost. I don't hear heavy GA IMC commuting for you. Even though they're less expensive and faster than many certified planes.

Also, no idea where KCPR and 1xx airports are (read Casper above) but you really need to heed the locals' warnings. To be able to fly light GA in that part of the country and winter, you need to know a lot more than a private certificate and instrument rating provides you. Back to the minimalist, no passion for aviation.

[Deap82]

Based on the responses, would a 310/340 with deicing be recommended then? Understanding my time and cost commitment would go up exponentially.

[apkp777]

Start by getting a few lessons. If at that point you are not thrilled by the experience, join a good frequent flyer program. You are way ahead of yourself thinking about commuting cross country, which is an advanced mode of flying. If you get the flying "bug", then solo, private and day VFR in a Cherokee or Cessna for a year or so, then look at other options.

[flyinga]

What Sam and Texdog (Fred) said! With your lack of passion for flying, I'd forget it.

[tjo]

As another perspective, do you have a passion for driving? No? Neither do most people, but they drive just the same. Every day even. Why? Because they want to get somewhere.

If you want to do this purely for the transportation benefit, I see nothing wrong with the plan. It will take more time and commitment than you are likely thinking, but if you travel like you are planning, that is 150-200 hours/year, which will make you a pretty proficient pilot pretty fast.

Also, although it takes significant commitment and effort, it is nothing like getting a college degree, IMHO.

Tim

[Ironflight]

Originally Posted by Deap82

Based on the responses, would a 310/340 with deicing be recommended then? Understanding my time and cost commitment would go up exponentially.

Here's the thing - weather is a big killer of people who "have to be there" (like somone commuting), and weather in that area (as has been mentioned) can be particularly nasty when it gets nasty. Successful weather flying is not about training as much as it is about experience and experince takes time to aquire - time measured in years. Knowing when to go, and when not to go is something you learn by scaring yourself once in awhile. A very well known rocket test pilot - Scott Crossfiled - had surprisingly few total flight hours, most of it in the high deserts where weather is good. Got killed flying into a thunderstorm.

There really is no such thing as an "all weather airplane" - and the ones that are close that are priced in the millions. You can't beat ice or thunderstorms in a light single - or twin, for that matter. You can only avoid the worst stuff.

So as much as I like to encourage folks to get into flying, I have to join the reluctant chorus of discouragemnt in your particular case. For the price of a 310/340, you can probably charter when you want.

[aerhed]

310/340? A 310 isn't much better than a single and could be worse. A 340 is actually marginal for night IFR. minimum altitudes around here are in the fourteens and that puts you smack in the ice. One dark night waiting for an approach at a no tower field while collecting icicles will rapidly shift your attitude. Plus, you could darn near charter one of the local PC12's for what it'll cost to own a decent twin and you won't die.