The whole problem with being a "well rounded" aviator is time and money. Not everyone can invest 10,000 plus hours of flight time to gain a certain skill set. In fact I would say that this notion is antiquated if you think that even at $100 an hour that's $1M! more like two or three if we want to get real about cost. Who has that kind of money?

The ONLY chance for new aviators is alternative training like sims, etc. Look at the quality of flight sims for the home user today, they should be certified so that a person can log the hours if they meet a certain standard. Sims also allow other more experienced pilots to comment and help without lives being risked.

http://gizmodo.com/312735/man-builds-30 ... is-bedroom

That sim for a 747-400 is ~$100 an hour!

In addition to sims there are plenty of specialty devices like a crosswind trainer. I used one and to my surprise it was very productive. In an afternoon you can do several hundred crosswind landing simulations where you only focus on the basic flight controls. In real life this might take 10,000 hours to accomplish spread over many years. Coming out of the sim and ever since then I have been supremely confident in any crosswind situation. 20+ knot direct cross went from making me nervous to waiting for the bus. All for a couple hundred dollars.

http://simulators.redbirdflight.com/products/xwind

Anyway, we need to start thinking different if we want aviation to survive.

Let’s say you recreate that accident, except you were in a 172 instead of the jet. You turn toward the lake at 1000 or whatever feet and get disoriented due to the lack of visual cues. Let’s say it takes you 5 seconds to realize you are disoriented, get on the instruments and get the airplane under control. In those 5 seconds, in a 172, maybe you lose 800 feet, recover and level off and start a climb. In those 5 seconds in the jet, you are in the water. You can make all kinds of mistakes in a slower airplane and learn from them, building experience that can be applied to faster airplanes.

Let’s say you recreate that accident, except you were in a 172 instead of the jet. You turn toward the lake at 1000 or whatever feet and get disoriented due to the lack of visual cues. Let’s say it takes you 5 seconds to realize you are disoriented, get on the instruments and get the airplane under control. In those 5 seconds, in a 172, maybe you lose 800 feet, recover and level off and start a climb. In those 5 seconds in the jet, you are in the water. You can make all kinds of mistakes in a slower airplane and learn from them, building experience that can be applied to faster airplanes.

A pilot can develop flying skills in almost anything. Sure, higher performance airplanes can require greater skills, but you can develop a lot of skill in a Bonanza and become prepared to step into almost anything. Just because you didn't build time in a piston twin or TP doesn't mean you lack skill or knowledge. That's what training is all about and what I like about the type rating process. It's pass or fail. You either have it or you don't. It has nothing to do with what you've been flying for the past 10 years. Regarding Pilot A and Pilot B, I chose to become Pilot B by buying my last airplane. To each their own, but there is still merit in buying your last airplane first.

I went from a Champ to a Lear. The Champ taught me more about flying the Lear than the other way around. I believe that the SF would be an easy transition for someone who has fair to good pilot skills. I believe that there are more fair than good pilots out there across the board. The good ones I know fly little airplanes because they enjoy honing their skills. I also believe there are more people who would rather spend their money on a new airplane rather than obtaining the skills to fly what they have. I don't have an AOA but I do have a stall warning horn. I want to hear that horn go off before my wheels touch the ground. I'd like to see better pilots across the board rather than the race to the next step up.

Mark, you waiting for the stall horn in the Lear as well when landing?

Na, we had a stick shaker. Aren't we done with all that lift stuff when the tires touch?

Wow, 2 - 12 hour days reading at work but I got to the end of this thread!!!

Learned a little about many people.

I like the jet but I would buy a mustang first. But used.

When I can afford it, I'll give Chip a call.

My two cents.

Brenda

You know he isn't a pilot, right?

You know he isn't a pilot, right?

Who cares if he's a pilot or not?

Thanks Josh!!

Peter's not a pilot either... he's Mike C's troll account!

Looks like deliveries are beginning...

May 8th registration....124MW



according to flightaware it jumped the pond and made it to Switzerland!

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N124MW

Peace,
Don

Who cares if he's a pilot or not?[/quote]

Josh - It was a joke, I promise. Ask Chip.[/quote]

Haha...sorry Peter!! Just sticking up for my buddy!!

Very cool. That dude jumped right in.