gotboost
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172 is ok but I wouldn't get one I would spend the money on a Cessna 180 way better plane for the buck
Finally, i going to be a pilot...i hope LOL
- Thread starter Lund
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HotShotHarry
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Congrats Mike. I agree on the 180 over a 172. Especially with floats. I spent a fair amount of time flying in small float planes in northern Ontario when I was an Aircraft Mechanic Apprentice for 2 years before giving it up and coming out west.My bud has a plane here in Hinton so I still get to fly around here. It is a 1959 Cessna 175 which has had extensive engine modifications done so that it can now handle floats with ease. It has also been changed from a nose wheel configuration to a tail dragger so that when floats are added most of the conversion has already been done. He spent about $115.000 doing this conversion.
tex78
Active VIP Member
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a 172 only is a 2 passenger float plane at best and only a 1 person in the mountains. Underpowered.
maxwell
Active VIP Member
For sure. Here in Alberta it is popular but in the mountains climb power is extremely important.
deaner
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Thats exactly what I was getting at. For any of the lakes around here you would need a lot more oomph to get up and out.
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- #27
Lund
Active VIP Member
He's French, what do ( you) expect
Bilingual, though my grammar and spelling suck's, in both languages, i still know twice as many word's as most on here hahahaha J/K
As for the plane, it really depends on the budget, a 172 can be had for alot less then a 180. This would be my first so the 172 is more in the card's for me. I will learn with it and in a few year's upgrade to something better suited for the use.
Similar to sledding, who really starts with the idea sled on first purchase and first getting into the sport.
Puddle jumping is not going to happen for a few year's, i will be doing my take off's and landing mostly here on Okanagan lake for a while.
I have just few year's before i retire and will be settling on one of the gulf island's at the coast. The plane eventually will be our transport to the mainland. So upgrading to a larger better suited plane will happen.
Its just a step to a larger goal.
HotShotHarry
Active VIP Member
An Bien, Je parles en francais aussi! Une ce peu.
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Lund
Active VIP Member
Je suis ne a Granby Quebec et je ai appris deux langues en meme temps. Ma mere est bilingue, mes mon pere etait francais. He can now speak both languages but with a big french accent.
Quant a moi je ai peu d'accent mais mon writing and grammar is not great in both. I try, je essaie. LOL
Wanted this for 15 years? Curious how old you are? The older we become the harder it is to start a career in aviation.
I've flown 172's lots, I agree with those who say its underpowered as a floatplane. A 180 or 185 is better but much more money and I see that's where the $300/hr came from.
Looking at the course (link you provided) there is no mention of a commercial pilot's license. If you want to fly for hire you'll need your commercial pilots license. First a private pilots license followed by a commercial license. Plus night endorsement, instrument rating, etc.
I've flown 172's lots, I agree with those who say its underpowered as a floatplane. A 180 or 185 is better but much more money and I see that's where the $300/hr came from.
Looking at the course (link you provided) there is no mention of a commercial pilot's license. If you want to fly for hire you'll need your commercial pilots license. First a private pilots license followed by a commercial license. Plus night endorsement, instrument rating, etc.
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- #32
Lund
Active VIP Member
Thanks for your input but it is private only and non commercial. I have no desire to fly for a living, recreational only and personal use.
This is the course they recommended me and set me up for, i didn't decide that.
As for the plane, it's what the budget can afford. Its nice to say buy this or that but somebody has to pay for it. I will only be learning on this plane. In the long run i would prefer Dehavilland DHC-2 beaver. Maybe 10yrs from now.
But maybe i will find an affordable 180 with floats.
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Private license, that's different then. As you gain experience you'll find the 172 isn't the best but a good introduction and leave you wanting more. If you don't have your PPL yet then I'd recommend condensing the first 10-20hrs of training, fly mutiple times a week. As it would be new, spending more time more often in the cockpit will help ingrain the habits and routine so your not spending too much time the following lesson relearning the last lesson because it's not familiar yet.
And the Beaver is the perfect bush plane....maybe find out if Harrison Ford is ready to sell his.....he's getting older and recently had an engine out incident with another of his aircraft...maybe he's ready to stay on the ground.
And the Beaver is the perfect bush plane....maybe find out if Harrison Ford is ready to sell his.....he's getting older and recently had an engine out incident with another of his aircraft...maybe he's ready to stay on the ground.
HotShotHarry
Active VIP Member
The Beaver..Now that's a real workhorse of a plane! Man, I've packed tubs and tubs and tubs of fish and supplies out of many northern Ontario Native settlements in Beavers in the past. Never felt safer in any other plane. Pour mois, le francais est just pour le fun. Je suis Ukranian Canadian Mais je ve l'ecole secondaire a Hearst Ont. Beaucous les fillies just parles en francais so......
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- #35
Lund
Active VIP Member
French Canadian girl's from what i recall are pretty independent and headstrong. Hard catch
I was looking on line for general pricing on a Beaver, plenty for sale in Canada.....average $350,000 and up. Not much for under $300K.
The 172 i looked at was $65,000, once i retire and sell the house the Beaver will be my upgrade....hahaha hoping
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- #36
Bogger
Bogger of the GBCA
If you're just starting I would suggest a 150 to get your license, cheaper to buy, cheaper on fuel, instructor friendly, and when you're ready to upgrade then resale is pretty easy. tail-draggers in my view are more in line with float flying but most instructors are not qualified for them
I've been a private pilot since 2001. Most of my training was in a 172. Some 150 time also. The 172 will teach you more. The 150 is a bit too easy to fly. I didn't look at your plan with AirHart, but my advice is to do as much on wheels as you can. It'll save lots of money. The 172 isn't a bad choice at lower altitudes. Their smallest trainer is a Hawk XP. 210 hp. Not your average 172. I did my float training there last summer in my 185. Caution: their hourly rate for training me on my own Cessna 185 was $100/hr. Much more than the $55/hr. rate on their website.
Be sure you plan carefully. After flying one summer on straight floats I'm putting amphibs on this spring. Fuel availability, storage, and the inability to land in the dark are my main motives.
At lower altitudes, and in cooler temperatures a 172 will be just fine as your first float plane. I have a share in a 172 with a float kit, but we haven't had it on floats yet. More power is better. Bigger floats are better. Amphibs are best for some geographical areas, but your plans will determine that. Ability to run on car gas can help if you can get local marinas to sell to you. Liability is their main concern. In the end, stay within your budget, save a few dollars for gas, and fly within the limitations of your airplane!
Congratulations. It's a great dream to chase.
Be sure you plan carefully. After flying one summer on straight floats I'm putting amphibs on this spring. Fuel availability, storage, and the inability to land in the dark are my main motives.
At lower altitudes, and in cooler temperatures a 172 will be just fine as your first float plane. I have a share in a 172 with a float kit, but we haven't had it on floats yet. More power is better. Bigger floats are better. Amphibs are best for some geographical areas, but your plans will determine that. Ability to run on car gas can help if you can get local marinas to sell to you. Liability is their main concern. In the end, stay within your budget, save a few dollars for gas, and fly within the limitations of your airplane!
Congratulations. It's a great dream to chase.
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- #39
Lund
Active VIP Member
Thanks
I'm still working on my studies, been up a few times but far from ready on buying my own still. Now that spring is here, i be getting more air time.
I'm still working on my studies, been up a few times but far from ready on buying my own still. Now that spring is here, i be getting more air time.
007sevens
Active VIP Member
Just Curious Lund. Did you get you Licence? Are you flying a float plane?
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