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  #1  
Old 09-18-2007, 06:20 AM
Scott Will's Avatar
Scott Will Scott Will is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: ATL
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Default Instrument training - RV or Cessna?

Well I finally got the multi-checkride out of the way yesterday. Gorgeous weather for it up in KCHA. Now its on to the next step - the instrument ticket.

Was talking with my instructor yesterday about the best aircraft to train in. Currently my RV-7A has a dual GRT setup with an SL-30, TT Pictorial Pilot, and a 396. I put the 396 in the radio stack because someday I envisioned that a Garmin 430 or similar would take its place.

Right now I'm trying to figure out if I should go ahead and do the rating in the spam can C172R or my RV. For those who have done it an RV, how hard was it finding an instructor and more importantly an examiner who'd do the test in the RV? Pretty sure my instructor is cool with the RV. But being the representative of the flight school who also uses the Cessna Pilot Kit, they're sold on the Cessna.

Besides the possible upgrade to the Garmin 430, would it be a good idea to add the pitch servo to the autopilot?

Any good experiences or comparisons about doing the instrument ticket in the Wichita Bug Smasher or RV?

Appreciate the help and advice.
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  #2  
Old 09-18-2007, 06:28 AM
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Kahuna Kahuna is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Gold Hill, NC25
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Default

I got mine in my 6A with steam gages and **** instruments.
No good reason to spend the money on the rented plane IMHO.

You will have no problem finding a DER to take the check ride in your plane.
I used a guy in Hunstville, Al where I was his first instrument check in an experimental. He thought it was cool. He was an old fart too. We had fun.

I liked doing it in my own plane to
1. save money
2. get to know my plane
3. get comfortable IFR in the RV

Since you will be flying IMC in your RV, do the training in it as well.
Best,
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  #3  
Old 09-18-2007, 07:19 AM
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Ironflight Ironflight is offline
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I did my instrument rating in my old Yankee many, many years ago, and they are just about as unstable (yet less responsive) as any RV out there. Once you get the hang of it, you'll be a better instrument pilot - flying a spam can will be easy.

If you're going to use the airplane for reliable IFR flying, I would definitely upgrade to an IFR GPS (4230 gives you everything) and the Altitude hold. (For the rating? If you're instructor is good, you probably won't get much of a chance to use the autopilot in training, so you could add it later...)
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  #4  
Old 09-18-2007, 07:58 AM
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aviationgeek84 aviationgeek84 is offline
 
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I would recommend doing it in the RV as well... having instructed several instrument students, I think you would be better for having the training in the airplane you'll be doing the flying in.

As for getting an examiner to do the checkride, I doubt that would be an issue. I can't speak from any experience, but I also can't imagine it being any problem. Although I'm sure there are a few out there who would shy away for whatever reason.

Good luck! You'll love the new set of skills.
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  #5  
Old 09-18-2007, 08:40 AM
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RV7Guy RV7Guy is offline
 
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Location: Chandler, AZ
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Default Different angle

Although my RV is IFR I can't find anyone to instruct. Not that they don't want to, but they are not convenient either in geographics or time. So, I'm going to one of the accelerated schools and knock it out in 10 days. Then I'm off to California to add on the heli instrument.

I was also advised by another RVer (but not validated by my insurance comp) that the instructor would have to be "named insured" on the policy and meet the minimum RV requirements for them.
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  #6  
Old 09-18-2007, 09:02 AM
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frankh frankh is offline
 
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Default Named on the insurance????

I think that is what your instructor's insurance is for...

But anyway I got my rating in my 7a, from a CFII who is also building a 7a....We live like 2 miles away from each other and have become good friends...

Anyway I would definatly do it this way again...When I started i didn't think it was actually possible to fly the RV in IMC...I was all over the place.

It was quite discouraging at first but after a few hours I gradually started to hold altiude and heading under the hood, but it wasn't pretty.

As Paul Dye said...Forget the autopilot for now, you need to get good at hand flying and its not easy. Get your rating and then add the altitude hold....Flying IFR will actually be fun with the autopilot.

(I should note I do have the pictorial pilot that I used for primary on the rate of turn indication...Still hand flying remember), but the EFIS was the primary instrument for AI....I prefer doing it this way as I find it helps with the instrument scan.

I can honestly say learning IFR (especially in the RV) was the hardest thing I have ever done. I almost gave up several times, took me 55 hours but gradually bit by bit I got there.

You know the funny thing...I don't know why it was such a big deal...I can hand fly in IMC now and its not difficult at all!

Then I took my C152 instrument student friend flying...His reaction was "how do you fly this thing?"...he certainly couldn't....

So bottom line is...The thing is a pig to learn in, it will take you longer but it is possible and the sense of accomplishment is indescribable.

Go for it...Oh the examiner could hardly wait to get in my airplane...

Frank
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  #7  
Old 09-18-2007, 11:30 AM
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Skytrash Skytrash is offline
 
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Scott,

I got my instrument rating in my 9A last year with one of the accelerated 10 day courses. It was intense but well worth it.

The instructor and his employer (PIC) had no problem with instructing in an experimental and they found an examiner that would give the check ride in an RV. I am in California so that probably doesn't help you much.

I think I would have the pitch servo installed for your training so you find out the best way to use it during your training and it will be the same when you start flying real IFR. I doubt the instructor will let you rely on it too much during training. Most of my training was hand flying, only enough A/P to learn its use. The examiner had me hand fly all types of approaches and then an ILS and GPS using the A/P.
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  #8  
Old 09-18-2007, 12:54 PM
the_other_dougreeves the_other_dougreeves is offline
 
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I've started my instrument flying in a 172 ... it's the first airplane with a yoke that I've flown despite having 130 hours. It's quite stable, even compared to our CT. I find that the airplane has less "feel" than what I'm used to and is about 50% heavier too.

It should work, but get some VFR time getting used to the airplane - otherwise you'll always be putting in too much or too little control input (like me).

TODR
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  #9  
Old 09-18-2007, 01:22 PM
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DickF DickF is offline
 
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I did my IFR training and did the checkride in my 6A. I agree with Paul - my checkride examiner "failed" the autopilot when I tried to use it, so I was glad that my instructor "failed" it almost every time as well.

Dick
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  #10  
Old 09-18-2007, 01:44 PM
TerryWighs TerryWighs is offline
 
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Scott...IMHO, it is more about whats going on between your ears, your personal efforts/motivation,and serious studying. This training will definitely take you to a new level of smoothness, and proficiency, regardless of the aircraft you spend time with. "Fly smart", and good luck
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