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Old 30th April 2003 | 18:38
  #29 (permalink)  
Shaggy Sheep Driver
 
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 3,325
Likes: 2
From: UK
Don't worry about low hours. I got my PPL on C150s in 1979, and immediately converted onto the Chipmunk with less than 50 hours total in my logbook. Like Lowtimer, I did have some gliding experience under my belt before I'd started the PPL, but I actually think there are advantages in gaining those extra skills as early in your flying career as you can.

After the Chippy (which is still my main type), I flew a lot of types including many taildraggers (Cubs, Moths, Citabrias, Stearman etc - even a Waco) - and my early Chippy experiences made it all realtively drama-free.

It was not until many years later (the late 90s) that I bought a share in a Yak 52. It isn't a taildragger (but it has the character of one!) but was my first 'complex' type. First VP prop, first retractable, first with cowl flaps (that you have to vary in flight or you cook the engine), and far more powerful than anything else I'd flown to date. As a result, I think it took me longer to check out in it than if I'd met some of these 'complexities' earlier in my flying career.

IMHO it is better to start getting as much diverse experience as soon as you can. It also makes for interesting flying.

SSD
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