Learning to Fly....In an RV?

kbonline1968 · #1 02-01-2007, 03:01 PM

I have not finished my PPL yet....but I have the funds to start an RV. Everyone I have talked to has advised me against it...but would anyone or has anyone every taken primary instruction in an RV?

I'm thinking of building a 9A, letting a friend (RV7 driver) fly off the 25 hrs - then finish my instruction in the plane.

Has it been done?

Kevin

Mel · #2 02-01-2007, 03:24 PM

I don't recommend it! For one thing, you can't do all necessary testing in 25 hrs. And you don't need a low time pilot in a low time airplane. Just my $.02. Go beat up someones Cessna or Piper before you hop into your RV.

robertahegy · #3 02-01-2007, 04:14 PM

Dittos on what Mel wrote. RVs are what you fly after you've already learned at least basics. Don't want to see another "A" on it's back.

Roberta

airguy · #4 02-01-2007, 04:44 PM

Agreed - if you've got the funding to build a 9A right now, then you would be well advised to fly a rental 152 for 70 or 90 hours and put the wear and tear on that airplane for your "learning curve". Start building now and get your PPL in their rental while your building.

kenmorris · #5 02-01-2007, 05:02 PM

I received my PSEL in my RV7/A. I had two great instructors. There is nothing special about flying an RV. You learn to fly what ever you fly in. My instructions to them were - DO NOT LET ME WRECK MY PLANE. We spent a little extra time working on landings. I now have 200 hours on the plane. I did get 2 of my friends to fly-off the 40 hours. I would not recommend trying to build and taking lessons, unless you are retired and single. Get your RV9 done. Learning to operate it is no big deal.

Ken

Geico266 · #6 02-01-2007, 05:05 PM

While the "learn to fly something else" advice is sound, practical advice, it depends on your natural flying skill level also, so I have to agree with Ken. It never hurts to learn to fly a few different aircraft either, so it would be money well spent.

Personally, I learned how to fly ultralights first (1,000 hours), recieved my ultralight license, became an ultralight instructor (so I could take "students") then got my PPL in 28 days in a 172. I literally had to circle the airport for a 1/2 hour (to burn up time) so I could land and pick up my examiner & take my practicle exam. I then went back to flying ULs for 6 months while I looked for an RV.

I transitioned from the ultralights to RV-9A in 2 hours (required for insurance).

Trust me when I say this, I'm no super pilot either. I would judge my skills as average, but what helped me was all the UL hours.

Again, the prudent thing to do would be to take the others advice, but there are other roads to a PPL.

tcard · #7 02-02-2007, 07:10 AM

I just finished my PPL in December. Although I don't have nearly as many sweat-equity hours in the build as the RV is my husband's project, I get a lump in my throat thinking about some of the student mistakes that could have been damaging in the RV but were just a little rough in a trainer that is built like a brick and designed to take some extra punishment. I may be alone, but there was a landing or two that I had to check to make sure the wheels were still on the plane.

Sam Buchanan · #8 02-02-2007, 07:56 AM

Quote:

I get a lump in my throat thinking about some of the student mistakes that could have been damaging in the RV but were just a little rough in a trainer that is built like a brick and designed to take some extra punishment. I may be alone, but there was a landing or two that I had to check to make sure the wheels were still on the plane.

You're not alone!

I recall after one session early in my PPL training seeing an A&P poking around the poor little C150 I had been "flying". It was some time later that I realized the instructor had sent him out there to see if the firewall was bent. It wasn't, but I would hate to see an RV mishandled in that manner.

Jamie · #9 02-02-2007, 08:19 AM

Ditto the above comments. Go bang up a trainer. That's what they're there for. In fact...build AND get your ticket in the trainer. Believe me...you'll get your ticket before you finish the airplane.

Actually...if I were to do it again...I would probably purchase a C-150 for training and/or currency while building. They're great little airplanes for putting around in, can withstand some abuse and are very economical. In the end you'll come out much cheaper than paying $80.00 - $100.00 /hr for a C-172 that will probably be in worse shape than the 150.

Once you get deep into your RV project you could then sell the C-150 for engine money.

flyeyes · #10 02-02-2007, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kbonline1968

I have not finished my PPL yet....but I have the funds to start an RV. (snip)

I'm thinking of building a 9A, letting a friend (RV7 driver) fly off the 25 hrs - then finish my instruction in the plane.

Has it been done?

Kevin

It's been done, but you're getting good advice to get your license first. One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet is to purchase a trainer.

Decent (older) Cessna 150s, Piper Tomahawks, etc can be had for about the price of an appropriate engine for your -9A. Build the RV, but don't buy the engine yet. Buy an older 150 (15-20 $K), build hours, and then sell the 150 to finance the motor at the appropriate time.