Simviation Forums

After checking in, I bump into Marco's wife, Helen, in the pilot shop: turns out Marco is taking some IFR dual in the school's 182RG today. I decide to hang around to say hello to him and watch him take off. And of course there's pictures to be taken...
 So I'm outside talking with John, Marco's instructor, about kite-flying, when somebody says: "Will you look at that..." we all look up to see this curious formation fly over the field from the north, then circle back and disappear whence they came: Vultee and two RVs. That's different...







I really like this 150D with the droop-tip wing kit... beautiful paint job, too. Checking my planespotter's guide, I see that this model was only produced in 1964, which explains why I've never seen one. It was the only 150 with the straight tail and wraparound rear window...







Speaking of RVs... another great paint job.







Godspeed, Marco! Here goes our pal MarcoAviator, into the wild gray yonder on his first lesson in real IMC. John's taking him over to Allentown to do approaches in 78R, the school's nice RG. Although Marco owns a piece of a Cherokee, it's not equipped properly for IFR flight, and by taking lessons in the RG, he's getting the complex airplane rating out of the way at the same time (retractable gear and constant-speed prop). Pretty smart for somebody who hangs around these forums...
I'd like to fly this sucker, but to take it solo one needs 25 hours in type. Maybe if I really start my IFR training soon, I'll choose this mount...

Great shots rotty

When Cessna came out with the "Thrifty 150" they had a good bugsmasher.

Cheers...Happy Landings...Doug

Great shots rotty

When Cessna came out with the "Thrifty 150" they had a good bugsmasher.

Cheers...Happy Landings...Doug

Thanx, Doug. Isn't that just a perfect-looking 150?  He made a few circuits, and Ididn't see any mind-blowing performance with the droop tips... but he may not have been using them to full advantage. That could make the sort-of anemic 150 into a pretty good short-field performer; I think you could chop the power earlier, just like a 172, and still have some lift going. Nice.

Yeah the 25 hours thing for retractables is ridiculous.

I got endorsed for that thing in 4 hours total. it took me longer to remember how to fly a high wing than to learn how to manage the CS prop and the GUMPS ...

So far, in the busiest and hardest of situations i have had I NEVER forgot to put the gear down, either VFR or IFR ...

John never had to remind me once. I got 17 hours in it ... getting closer. I really wanna take my wife up in it ... that thing can easly chew 130 knots at 75% power ... it's amazing.

Great shots. Thanks Sean!

So I'm outside talking with John, Marco's instructor, about kite-flying, when somebody says: "Will you look at that..." we all look up to see this curious formation fly over the field from the north, then circle back and disappear whence they came: Vultee and two RVs. That's different...

I've never seen a Vultee in a civilian scheme before. Nice

I'd like to fly this sucker, but to take it solo one needs 25 hours in type. Maybe if I really start my IFR training soon, I'll choose this mount...

Ouch - 25 hours! Thats a fair amount of time (and cash). Is that just for that particular aircraft, or generally in the US as it an retractable gear aeroplane? I know in the UK you'd have to do "differences" training for things such as gear and constant speed prop, but I don't know how much flying you have to do - I was under the impression it was a couple of hours (not being a very "current" civil pilot! Must get my PPL!)

Ouch - 25 hours! Thats a fair amount of time (and cash). Is that just for that particular aircraft, or generally in the US as it an retractable gear aeroplane? I know in the UK you'd have to do "differences" training for things such as gear and constant speed prop, but I don't know how much flying you have to do - I was under the impression it was a couple of hours (not being a very "current" civil pilot! Must get my PPL!)

The FAA doesn't specify a number of hours, in fact it only requires an instructor to endorse you to fly ANY retractable at any time the instructor thinks you are qualified.

In fact I am already endorsed. I can fly the Cutlass (as far as the FAA is concerned) right now ...

The problem is insurance. Insurance companies don't allow you to fly a retract before you spend at least 25 hours in it (well, you can but at your own risk. you break something, you pay for it yourself out of pocket or with your own house).

Hey. What's the idea of hiding these away in the Real Aviation forum? I never know where to look next.

Nice shots there old chap.

nice shots rotty:)

The FAA doesn't specify a number of hours, in fact it only requires an instructor to endorse you to fly ANY retractable at any time the instructor thinks you are qualified.

I thought that was the way it worked.

The problem is insurance. Insurance companies don't allow you to fly a retract before you spend at least 25 hours in it (well, you can but at your own risk. you break something, you pay for it yourself out of pocket or with your own house).

Ahhh. I see, that figures. I suppose that make the few thousand dollars spent on the hours worth it in the long term. I take it that it can be 25 hours in any retractable undercarriage aircraft?

Thanks for sharing.  Great shots for those of us who don't make it the airfields or haven't earned our wings.

Ahhh. I see, that figures. I suppose that make the few thousand dollars spent on the hours worth it in the long term. I take it that it can be 25 hours in any retractable undercarriage aircraft?

As far as I know ... yep.  ;D

Hey. What's the idea of hiding these away in the Real Aviation forum? I never know where to look next.

Nice shots there old chap.

Yeah, sorry... I meant to post these in "Photos" to end all the confusion, but was perusing this section, and... let's just say I'm not getting any younger either...  ;D

Yeah the 25 hours thing for retractables is ridiculous.

I got endorsed for that thing in 4 hours total. it took me longer to remember how to fly a high wing than to learn how to manage the CS prop and the GUMPS ...

So far, in the busiest and hardest of situations i have had I NEVER forgot to put the gear down, either VFR or IFR ...

John never had to remind me once. I got 17 hours in it ... getting closer. I really wanna take my wife up in it ... that thing can easly chew 130 knots at 75% power ... it's amazing.

Great shots. Thanks Sean!

Remember what they say, though: there are two types of retractable pilots- those who have landed gear-up, and those who will... one of those silly sayings, but insurance companies are driven by statistics, after all.
You sure are close- if you ever could use me (and my wallet) as ballast on a dual flight in that thing, gimme a call; I'd be glad to help, and it'd be interesting to observe John scaring the hell out of you...

Remember what they say, though: there are two types of retractable pilots- those who have landed gear-up, and those who will... one of those silly sayings, but insurance companies are driven by statistics, after all.
You sure are close- if you ever could use me (and my wallet) as ballast on a dual flight in that thing, gimme a call; I'd be glad to help, and it'd be interesting to observe John scaring the hell out of you...

Unfortunately that thing is a pig. i barely get 500 fpm with full fuel and full climb power.

It's a 180 HP with all the retractable gear mechanisms to haul up along with my fat-ass, John's and 60 gallons of fuel.

Retracts are heavier because of all the gear ... so carrying a 3rd person could be iffy.

Maybe if it gets colder it will get better climb rate ... we'll see.

The cherokee has no problem climbing with 3 people ... you saw it. We were getting 1100 fpm with 3 people and full fuel on a hot day.

Remember what they say, though: there are two types of retractable pilots- those who have landed gear-up, and those who will... one of those silly sayings

We have a rather cunning way of avoiding this - the "(callsign) Finals, gear down" call (having checked 3 greens). If ATC don't hear the words "gear down" they will call "(Callsign) check gear, acknowledge?". If the pilot does not respond the will either order a go-around and/or the pilot will receive a red flare from the runway caravan...

I don't think they've had an unintentional wheels up landing in years (touch-wood)...