I figure a quick into would be in order before I do any other posting. As the title says - I just started my private pilot training a few weeks ago at KSUS in the St Louis area. I have been thinking about flying for decades - but never wanted to take the time and $$$. Have been thinking more about it in the last year, and the wife and I think now is the time. so here I go.

I have been doing a lot of talking to people over the last year, and a lot of on-line looking, lurking and trying to learn. I like the info and level of experience at BT - been a common site for me to visit. My flying objective is a combination of pleasure, some probably business, and an overall "why not". Training the proverbial rental C172. You know way more about the plane than I do, but it does seem to be a good early-training platform.

One thought in the process was to buy a plane to learn in, as opposed to renting. Pluses and minuses to that plan - overall $$$ not a game breaker eithe way. But plane would not be hangered at a field with a tower. I feel I would get better training at KSUS with the tower, so we'll rent. One less thing to worry about early on.

Long-term - I think ownership of the right plane would make more sense for me. Biggest reason - I would fly more, for more experience, and end up being a better pilot. We'll think more about that down the road.

Sorry for kinda long - but good to meet everyone.

Gary

Gary,

Welcome to the forum!

Welcome Gary!!

Welcome Gary to BT. I haven't yet purchased my plane (though I have found a potential prospect) but a common theme around here is "buy your second plane first". Good luck with your training.

Welcome Gary!
I'll bet your post could have been written by many Beechtalk members a few short years ago, and some many years ago. It seems like yesterday I was in your shoes deciding I wanted to go forward and get my license!

Hi Gary

Welcome to BT! There isn't a more knowledgeable group of people on Beech planes and aviation in general that you'll find here. We may all be Beech lovers here, but most of us have owned or flown other planes, and can offer good advice on all of them. I've owned a C172, Piper Dakota, A36 Bonanza, and now a G36 Bonanza. All planes were good to own and contributed to my growth as a pilot. The thing to do is fly as much as possible since you'll gain the essential experience you need to progress. You're right, if you own, you'll fly more. Buy as much plane as you can afford and then get out and fly the stew out of it. A C172 or a small Beech (like a Musketeer/Sundowner) is a good place to start.

Welcome to BT Gary!

I bought a Cherokee to get my Private and then build some hours/confidence. Many here will say go ahead and get the Bo and learn to fly in it. I have nothing bad to say about that route, but what I did seemed to work well for me. Not sure there is a right or wrong answer. The main thing is you are working toward your license!

Gary,
Go for it!
In the early 70's, I was in the same condition (minus the family) that you are in, and I bought a "cheap" C150 to complete my PPL. Then I started my instrument training, in the same airplane, except for renting a C172, on occasion, for some of the instruments, that my C150 did not have in the panel.

I would suggest that you keep your costs as low as possible, so that you can gain the most experience
in the shortest amount of time. In my earlier life, as an instructor, I encouraged my students to fly at least three time per week, so that they were learning new things, instead of relearning what they had forgotten, in the last lesson.\

Our best wishes to you, and keep us posted on your progress.

welcome nice to see another person join the ranks of the sky people. i have my ppl about 1and a half years now and love it i origionaly went light sport bought anexcalibur and flew the snot out of it..but looking back at the cost of it all i wish i would of put the cash in a rental or on my own ga plane..example purchase of excalibur 16000 plus1000 shipping plus hanger rent 225 pus 775 anual plus 1000 in upgrades now that said. i gained the exsperiance of stick and rudder and a pusher plane open sides... flying motorcycle.... as i said i now have a c23 sundowner and love it,,look at some of my posts and you will see why,,some of the other members have it rite buy your second plane first,,natural progression is a 172 high wing into a low wing of some kind for the responce control and roll plus they are sexy. also rentals can be a pain inthe ass if you want to do an overnighter some were with the wife,,they wont let you as a rule,,that said welcome again and read on good luck..oh ps we like pics;;;;;;;;;

Welcome Gary, I'm based at Smartt Field, KSET.

The only big benefits to training at a towered field is learning to communicate with ATC and learning to read and follow airport signage.

Something to consider: It will cost you at least 25% more to train at an airport with more than 400 based airplanes and around 300 operations daily (as compared to a small non-towered one). You will get a lot of mileage on the taxiways and will sit in long lines a lot, both of which are costing over $2.50 per minute. At my non-towered airport a student and instructor can be off the ground in 6~10 minutes from engine start. I will guess during your lessons you will rarely get off the ground in less than 25 minutes.

I appreciate all of the comments and input. Part of the reason to rent now is that I really cannot say what my first (or second) plane needs to be. Renting will give me time to consider and hopefully make a smarter choice.

Will also say I have always likes the V-tail Bonanza's. One of my first rules of buying anyting is that you need to like what you buy, besides the logical / functional items. It may not make sense for me to go that way. Then again, on the used plane market, Bo's can be a pretty good value. We'll see.

I certainly appreciate Max's knowledge. I may be lucky here. KSUS (Chesterfield, west burb of St Louis) has 2 runways. Main one for all of the business jets. Smaller one (still 5000') is what we have been using. Never had to wait in line to take off or in pattern to land. (so now there goes my luck I am sure). That runway seems rarely used - which may reflect GA in this area. Costs seem competitive to the other training airport in the area. And the logistics/loctation to where I live (rural outside of St Louis) and the training facilities reputation also play into this. I can live with what I have chosen. There is a closer airport w/o a tower, but they have no rental planes for training. More of a country airport, cheap hanger rent, would be where I would probably keep my own plane if/when the time comes. I realize that GA is not a cheap hobby. Unfortuntely, none of my hobbies are....

Welcome Gary, good luck with your PPL!

Welcome to BT Gary. It sounds as though you are well grounded in your thoughts regarding GA. Have fun with your training.

Galen

Welcome Gary!