Avionics News December 2020 - 21

how to call on the radio and which frequency, as well
who could have fit right into the period mindset of the
as the appropriate transponder code. We even made up
television program Mad Men.
a briefing card covering all the steps and kept it in the
Before he'd answer any of her questions, he had
glove box of our plane.
a few of his own - and some of his questions sent
So what's the holdup for many would-be aviators?
my normally easygoing bride into a rage. A rage so
profound that it lasted days until my return from that
Mostly a case of bad information and mistaken
year's AirVenture Oshkosh.
perceptions - like the cost of the plane.
" Are you married? " the CFI asked. Why does that
There are ways to help correct these issues and,
matter, she responded.
occasionally, help move a prospective pilot over these
" Does he know you want to do this? " Yes, but
hurdles and into flight training.
again, what does that have to do with the question, she
responded.
Myth busting: Airplanes
" What does he think of you
are too expensive for
flying? " Her patience almost
average people
THE BOTTOM LINE IS
gone, she asked whether the CFI
This one makes me chuckle
THIS:
WITH
CAREFUL
was going to answer any of her
every time it comes up: I'd love
SHOPPING FOR THE
questions.
to learn to fly but airplanes cost
PLANE
BEST
SUITED
" Only after I'm sure it's alright
hundreds of thousands of dollars.
FOR THE FLYING
Well, that's true; new airplanes,
with your husband. "
PLANNED,
A
NEW
PILOT
even light sport aircraft, do run from
That's the point at which she
CAN BE AN AIRCRAFT
low six figures and up. But few people
told the CFI she'd continue her
need or want a brand-new aircraft.
search for a CFI in hopes of one
OWNER FOR LESS
Buying a solid, well-maintained used
whose attitudes were closer to the
MONEY THAN THE
airplane provides a way to aircraft
late, 20th century.
RIDE DRIVEN TO THE
ownership for about the cost of many
Another CFI told her she'd
AIRPORT.
SUVs and large pickup trucks.
have to use his school's airplanes,
The price range here: $60,000 and
airplanes with an integrated
avionics package in the panel.
down to as little as the mid-$20,000
" That rents for $125 an hour. "
range. The plane won't be a speed demon and won't likely
But what about the other 172 with an analog panel,
have a fancy electronic instrument panel. But it will be
she asked. It rented for $65 an hour, almost half of what
equipped to fly, typically on instruments, with all the
the digital-panel airplane fetched.
required equipment for its category and class.
" Well, we prefer to teach in airplanes that reflect what
Our first plane, a 1969 Piper Cherokee 140D, cost
you can buy new today, " was the response.
the same as the Isuzu Trooper we drove in those days:
Strike two.
$18,000. It only cruised at a bit more than 110 knots
These are real-world examples encountered over
- about 125 miles per hour - but it got this pilot and a
and over again with the usual results being a prospect
passenger across the country much faster than driving.
Surprisingly, we could fly it to visit family in only
walking away - as my late wife did.
about 90 minutes longer than the available airline trips,
Turned out to be moot questions; she couldn't pass
thanks to the elimination of a stop and plane change at
the third-class medical exam. But she still wanted to
some off-route hub. The hub-and-spoke airline system
know her way around the cockpit. Our solution: Book
her dual instruction up to the point where she could
is designed for the airlines' convenience, not the
lower the gear on our retractable single; handle the flaps
passengers. When you fly yourself, you have the benefit
and trim and land the airplane; and take off again.
of picking the most-direct routing.
My primary instructor schooled her on emergency
procedures for the possibility of pilot incapacitation,
Continued on following page
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Avionics News December 2020

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