Misc questions for CFIs

[M_broFlyer]

Hmmm.... where can I read up on Part FCL?

As for the IR, I didn't know how much it cost, simply that it was the "higher version" of the IMC. I did think the IMC is useful considering the temperamental UK weather.

xrayalpha, I don't want to be an instructor at the cost of everything else. I want to fly airplanes, so I've never really considered microlights. Gliders, maybe.

[RTN11]

Hmmm.... where can I read up on Part FCL?

LASORS used to be the best resource for this sort of stuff, I believe CAP 804 is meant to be some kind of replacement, but it's nowhere near as useful.

As for the IR, I didn't know how much it cost, simply that it was the "higher version" of the IMC. I did think the IMC is useful considering the temperamental UK weather.

You've got it the wrong way round, the IMC is the baby version of the IR. Useful, perhaps, but you'll be teaching PPL students to fly in VMC, so won't be using it day to day.

xrayalpha, I don't want to be an instructor at the cost of everything else. I want to fly airplanes, so I've never really considered microlights. Gliders, maybe.

Odd phrasing there, but it suggests you have something against microlights. I can fully recommend the Ikarus C42, it's actually a far more capable aircraft than the Cessna 150, and a lot more roomy. Microlight these days is more of a legal category than anything else, which mostly means you are limited to 450Kg max take off weight. There are some very high performance microlights out there, many would out pace an Arrow or Seneca (not that that's particularly hard to do).

Yes, there are some very basic flex wing microlights with dodgy two stroke engines, but there are also some very decent three axis machines which are well worth instructing in.

As has been mentioned at least twice on this thread, this is an up and coming market where the instructors have more ability to name their terms, whereas GA instructing is currently dying as it is full of people stuck just hoping for an airline job. Who knows, maybe in a few years there will be a shortage of instructors as people just have to go and get real jobs to pay the bills, and things will swing back the other way. Until then, microlighting is great fun if you want to fly.

[xrayalpha]

M,

Well, if you want to fly a C42 as a real airplane, no problem. Just check the paperwork before you get in because it might be a microlight - or it might not.

Same seat, same airframe, same engine! But, obviously, not a real airplane if it has the wrong paperwork.

The Eurostar is also pretty similar - although you might spot the lack of paint and back-up fuel pump on the microlight ones.

And that really tells the story of modern three-axis microlights: they are lightweight light aircraft - real airplanes - that have just been squeezed (at the cost of paint!) into the microlight - fake airplanes - category.

If you want to instruct and have some great fun flying: welcome.

If you want to go on to bigger and better things...... well, I can list a few people who started, or carried on, on microlights. But if it is not your thing....

ps. If you just want to fly, buy the Zenair 601 (this one is a real airplane) on afors for 21k and spend the other 40k of your CPL fund on a lifetime's supply of fuel.

And stick to the day job and earn some money for the mortgage.

[Genghis the Engineer]

Yes, there are some very basic flex wing microlights with dodgy two stroke engines,

And fantastic fun they are too - although admittedly I'd rather not teach on a 3rd generation flexwing either. I don't mind doing a biennial, but beyond that I'll leave it to flexwing specialist instructors who have modern machines with training bars and dual controlled nosewheel steering.

But for a freelancer on a budget, for example, there are some very good cheap 2-stroke powered 3-axis aeroplanes the AX3, T600 or Chevvron for example.

G

[M_broFlyer]

RTN11, I think you've misunderstood me as you just said what I meant... IMC is the baby version of IR or the other way around, "the IR is the higher version of IMC".... As for microlights, I don't have anything against it. I just did not know about the Ikarus or any others you are hinting at. When "microlight" was mentioned, I simply imagined a small tri-wheeled structure with a prop under a hang glider.

I'm not too sure I want to learn microlights either... simply because of a few factors. My trial flight was on a PA28 and it was getting thrown around a bit already, I could imagine this is worse on a microlight? Plus I've already been daydreaming of taking the family on a cross-country trip, maybe see the Lakes district from the air. I'm guessing the wife and two boys plus luggage will be too much for a microlight.

[Genghis the Engineer]

Low performance microlights will probably take 2 adults and 3 hours fuel at ~65knots.

High performance microlights will probably take 2 adults, 1 hours fuel, at 100+ knots.

Neither will take the kids in the back. Both will go further solo.


If you have a problem with turbulence in a PA28 you have a problem - the things run on rails and barely notice most turbulence. Compared, by and large to both most microlights, and most light aeroplanes.

G

[xrayalpha]

Mbro,

You need to spend some time at an airfield.

And you need more time in the air.

Until you have experienced the full PPL course, it is difficult to understand what might be involved in instruction.

Not just teaching "unusual attitudes", when you expect stuff to happen, but having real-life students inflict them on you out-of-the-blue ;-)

A quick look at the finances of an aircraft with two adults, two boys AND luggage...... that's why Easyjet is growing and GA is shrinking!

[foxmoth]

A quick look at the finances of an aircraft with two adults, two boys AND luggage...... that's why Easyjet is growing and GA is shrinking!

Never REALLY been the case that you can justify flying somewhere by light aircraft on a cost basis, people start flying because it is something they want to do, not because it will save money!

[M_broFlyer]

+1 to foxmoth's sentiments. I like driving and "having my own space," so unless the bus fare is ridiculously cheap, I take my own vehicle. I own a 7-seater for the space.

xrayalpha, I agree I need a bit more exposure regarding GA, thanks for the heads up on microlights though!

Genghis, I'm not sure what you mean about the PA28 being on rails. I did feel the turbulence though, but does not mean I had a problem with it --- in fact, I quite enjoyed the sensation!