ME IFR - Good way to get started?

[Runway37]

Just found this whilst browsing, added new today:

http://www.tooradinflyingschool.com.au/index.php?Page=News

Seems like a cost effective way to get endorsed. I made a couple of calls. Seems their Seneca has been out for a while with an engine rebuild and they're looking to get some new IFR students, create some interest, and it's a genuine limited offer. The aircraft is in great shape from the pictures in the gallery... Sounds good to me!

What's the general consensus? Has anyone learnt to fly down there or know anyone that has? They seem to have a huge range of aircraft on-line. They seem to be a fairly new kid on the block down there - so to speak.


PS: Looks like there's instructing work there if you don't mind flying a Jabiru!

[gary gearbox]

It has been a couple of years since I did my initial IFR but the price does not seem overly cheap (assuming thats what your looking for).

If you are looking for IFR training with a view to working in the industry I would recommend finding an opertor with a 310 or Baron. Sure it will cost you a bit more, but the future advantage is worth it.

Why buy 8K of senica time????

GG

[Runway37]

I would have thought that it would be better to get started in the smaller and slower more "manageable" aircraft, then upgrade to a bigger bus later. Surely there's a lot less to worry about if you were starting from scratch on IFR if you're in a Seneca or Seminole...? A friend did his in a Chieftain and it cost a hell of a lot and made learning difficult. Is a Seneca really that bad for a first-off ME-IFR?

[Sqwark2004]

I think what Gary Gearbox is trying to say is that you should look for a place that is able to offer you employment after you have completed your training with them.

With regards to the cost of training in a slightly more sophisticated/expensive aircraft, if you do your initial training in a Seneca/Seminole, you will still have to pay for a type-rating, for other aircraft, and hours on type for insurance purposes. These hours will already be in your logbook if you do you MEIR in one of these aircraft.

No matter how difficult an aircraft is, if you get a good instructor they should be able to develop the training around you.

Good luck whatever your decision.


S2K4eva

[Mr.Buzzy]

Why do all of your rating in a twin?

Why not shop around for a school with instructors that aren't trying to tell you that your MECIR needs to be done entirely in a twin. Keep in mind plenty of instructors are eager to sell you twin time so they can head to greener pastures as well.

Find a synthetic trainer and use it!!! You can save money and heartache by having a good scan and basic skills sorted before you even get into an aeroplane.

Do some bargaining, (remember you're the customer) ask for short, high workload flights in a single initially. There's little to be gained flying long, boring, cross country flights straight and level in a baron, watching the instructor prepare his REX application!

Read the CAO section on experience requirements etc for the rating. It will help you descriminate fact from sales pitch when you go school hunting

You should only need to fly the last few NAVs in a twin.

Briefing and Hangar flying are gold!!!! Chat with your instructor, friends, other students etc. Have questions prepared and play scenarios. Things will flow much better and you will have a greater "brain reserve" if you already have a basic managment plan for a few of the basic failures. Very tough trying to hand fly in IMC and trying to work out why a simulated left alternator light is flickering and what impact it will have on your flight.

Good luck.

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[gary gearbox]

Gday 37

Yes you are corrct it is good to use a manageble acft. However as the previous poster has said, with proper instruction you will be fine on senica/baron/310 etc.

It has been a few years since I have flown a senica 2, but from memory the turbos on them may be a little tricky to get used to. I think a baron although faster would actually be easier for an IFR rating.

At the conclusion of the rating you will usually have around 20 hrs twin time. If you are looking to gain work in the GA industry some oprators will look more favorably at a pilot with 20 hrs baron/310 than 20 hours sencia 2.

A good IF school will give you a bled of sim work, sigle engine flying and twin engine flying.

The sim time will let you get your head around approachs and procedures. You then fly these in the single engine acft to get the hang of them in the air. You then complete the training in the twin.

Yes a PA31 is a bit over the top for the IR. Would have cost him plenty of $$$$. Not the best machine for all those engine failures either, hmm.

Hope this helps. You can PM if you want more info.

GG