Should I learn on Tigers?
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 321
Likes: 0
From: Bristol and Forest of Dean
I think it all depends on what type of flying you intend doing when you have gained your PPL.
If you fancy strip flying in your own PFA type plane, getting into fun aeros or even buying a DH82 it’s definitely the way to go.
If, however you want to bore holes in the sky, take the wife to Le 2k every month and hang around the flying club bar in a '4stripe' captain’s outfit. (only joking before anyone moans..!) You'd be better off learning in a Spamcan from a bigger airport with the emphasis on the procedural rather than 'stick and rudder' flying skills.
As the others have said - Only you know the answers to the above questions...
Oh and the Cub is still the best trainer ever IMHO. Buy a J3 and get someone to teach you in it (perfectly legal)
Kingy
If you fancy strip flying in your own PFA type plane, getting into fun aeros or even buying a DH82 it’s definitely the way to go.
If, however you want to bore holes in the sky, take the wife to Le 2k every month and hang around the flying club bar in a '4stripe' captain’s outfit. (only joking before anyone moans..!) You'd be better off learning in a Spamcan from a bigger airport with the emphasis on the procedural rather than 'stick and rudder' flying skills.
As the others have said - Only you know the answers to the above questions...
Oh and the Cub is still the best trainer ever IMHO. Buy a J3 and get someone to teach you in it (perfectly legal)
Kingy
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,856
Likes: 75
From: uk
I suppose I have done it both ways. I originally learned ina Tiger after about 100 hours gliding. I really enjoyed flying the Tiger but, after about 75 hours, I began to feel that I was missing out on other aspects of flying, like radio work, controlled airspace and the like. I started to fly Cherokees and eventually gave up flying the Tiger.
After a break of over 20 years, I learned again - this time on a C152. I actually had to do the same amount of flying as the first time round but have never felt the same empathy with the aeroplane as I had with the Tiger. Partly that's down to age but I am sure that the need for critical rudder control, which depends on power and direction of turn, encourages better feel for what the aeroplane is doing. Now, after about 100 hrs in Spamcans I am hankering for the Tiger again. I did try one recently and was pleased that the rudder instincts were still there, especially when I managed to prevent a groundloop without any help from the instructor i.e. full rudder as soon as the tail swing starts.
The original questioner sounds like he is going to enjoy the learning process and I would encourage the Tiger route for someone like that. I certainly agree that some investment in warm clothing is a must. I have never been so cold, and I used to ride motorbikes.
After a break of over 20 years, I learned again - this time on a C152. I actually had to do the same amount of flying as the first time round but have never felt the same empathy with the aeroplane as I had with the Tiger. Partly that's down to age but I am sure that the need for critical rudder control, which depends on power and direction of turn, encourages better feel for what the aeroplane is doing. Now, after about 100 hrs in Spamcans I am hankering for the Tiger again. I did try one recently and was pleased that the rudder instincts were still there, especially when I managed to prevent a groundloop without any help from the instructor i.e. full rudder as soon as the tail swing starts.
The original questioner sounds like he is going to enjoy the learning process and I would encourage the Tiger route for someone like that. I certainly agree that some investment in warm clothing is a must. I have never been so cold, and I used to ride motorbikes.
