bottlerocket
Member
So after much deliberation my wife and I have finally decided on an RV7A slider to purchase already flying. But a few days ago she decided to throw a massive wrench in my grand aviation plan... she wants to learn to fly as well (which went into the decision for the 7 instead of the 8 which makes this story slightly out of order chronologically, but stick with me).
This is fantastic news, right? But an RV... as a primary trainer... for someone who has only been in a GA aircraft a half-dozen times. She's been up in a few older 172s but thats it until yesterday a good friend of mine took her up in his 8A. She had a blast. Did some loops to music, and other than the acro, she did most of the flying. So side by side it is (vice a pilot-passenger setup), but I digress.
My concern is the handling characteristics of the RV7A. I know it is mild mannered, but still very snappy. Panic, throw in full deflection one way and look out. Part of me is trying to convince myself to just go for it and let her get her PPL in the RV7A, but the other half of me thinks the first half is crazy. I wouldn't teach my first (as of yet unborn) child learn to drive in a hot rodded Porsche Boxter, I'd let them beat the **** outta the Ford Escort I found on Craigslist.
What I had contemplated was this: We are saving for the RV7A currently, looking to purchase in the fall. But for now I found somewhat locally a late 70's Cessna 150L with 1600hrs on the motor and needs next to nothing to fly. Would I be crazy to buy this cash, let her learn to fly in it, then turn around and sell it in a few months to get the 7A? We could be flying NOW instead of later, and the guy who I wanted to teach her will be deploying in a few months so I'd rather her start soon.
This is fantastic news, right? But an RV... as a primary trainer... for someone who has only been in a GA aircraft a half-dozen times. She's been up in a few older 172s but thats it until yesterday a good friend of mine took her up in his 8A. She had a blast. Did some loops to music, and other than the acro, she did most of the flying. So side by side it is (vice a pilot-passenger setup), but I digress.
My concern is the handling characteristics of the RV7A. I know it is mild mannered, but still very snappy. Panic, throw in full deflection one way and look out. Part of me is trying to convince myself to just go for it and let her get her PPL in the RV7A, but the other half of me thinks the first half is crazy. I wouldn't teach my first (as of yet unborn) child learn to drive in a hot rodded Porsche Boxter, I'd let them beat the **** outta the Ford Escort I found on Craigslist.
What I had contemplated was this: We are saving for the RV7A currently, looking to purchase in the fall. But for now I found somewhat locally a late 70's Cessna 150L with 1600hrs on the motor and needs next to nothing to fly. Would I be crazy to buy this cash, let her learn to fly in it, then turn around and sell it in a few months to get the 7A? We could be flying NOW instead of later, and the guy who I wanted to teach her will be deploying in a few months so I'd rather her start soon.