Hello all
I'm a pilot (Private/instrument - 350 hrs) who has been out of flying for a while (20 years) for all the usual reasons and wants to return to the club. I'm aware of current action around 3rd class medical, but assuming this is going to take a while (and not wanting to run the gauntlet of getting waivers for my normal aging-related health issues) the LSA route looks attractive, and the RV-12 looks like a good fit for my interests. It would be nice to actually see one and even ride/fly one to get a better sense of whether this is the right aircraft for me. I'm not interested now in building a plane - still working and extensive travel makes this impractical, but might consider this when I'm (semi) retired in a few years. I'm not particularly experienced with metalworking/mechanical skills but good with electronics and good at following instructions and tapping online resources. So some questions for this group of experts:
1. Pros and cons of buying a production RV-12 versus used kit-built?
2. Related to #1, what's the best way to get a used/kit built aircraft objectively evaluated?
3. What's the best way to get current (no LSA flight school/rental in my area - Jacksonville/St Augustine - that I can find) while in the process/
4. What's a reasonable transition/training plan once aircraft is chosen/purchased - in light of location? (If anyone can point me to owners/CFI's/other resources in North Florida / South Georgia that would be helpful)
5. Given my current experience level and plan to go "no medical" what should I expect insurance to cost (understanding that airframe value will impact this)?
6. In the same vein, what is reasonable to expect in terms of maintenance/annual costs? I'm not sure whether I'd pursue the repairman certification but thoughts on this appreciated.
7. Is the interior temperature manageable for someone who will fly in Florida/the Southeast for the most part? I tend to like to fly earlier in the day and late afternoon in the summer based on my previous experiences with thermals and pop-up storms in Florida.
8. What are the "gotchas" for a pilot with experience mostly in BE-23 and PA-28?
Quite a bit to ask - and any input very much appreciated.
I'm a pilot (Private/instrument - 350 hrs) who has been out of flying for a while (20 years) for all the usual reasons and wants to return to the club. I'm aware of current action around 3rd class medical, but assuming this is going to take a while (and not wanting to run the gauntlet of getting waivers for my normal aging-related health issues) the LSA route looks attractive, and the RV-12 looks like a good fit for my interests. It would be nice to actually see one and even ride/fly one to get a better sense of whether this is the right aircraft for me. I'm not interested now in building a plane - still working and extensive travel makes this impractical, but might consider this when I'm (semi) retired in a few years. I'm not particularly experienced with metalworking/mechanical skills but good with electronics and good at following instructions and tapping online resources. So some questions for this group of experts:
1. Pros and cons of buying a production RV-12 versus used kit-built?
2. Related to #1, what's the best way to get a used/kit built aircraft objectively evaluated?
3. What's the best way to get current (no LSA flight school/rental in my area - Jacksonville/St Augustine - that I can find) while in the process/
4. What's a reasonable transition/training plan once aircraft is chosen/purchased - in light of location? (If anyone can point me to owners/CFI's/other resources in North Florida / South Georgia that would be helpful)
5. Given my current experience level and plan to go "no medical" what should I expect insurance to cost (understanding that airframe value will impact this)?
6. In the same vein, what is reasonable to expect in terms of maintenance/annual costs? I'm not sure whether I'd pursue the repairman certification but thoughts on this appreciated.
7. Is the interior temperature manageable for someone who will fly in Florida/the Southeast for the most part? I tend to like to fly earlier in the day and late afternoon in the summer based on my previous experiences with thermals and pop-up storms in Florida.
8. What are the "gotchas" for a pilot with experience mostly in BE-23 and PA-28?
Quite a bit to ask - and any input very much appreciated.