Michigan

[tcsteelhead]

Looking for decathlon instruction/ training in michigan. Strongly considering purchasing one and using it for the training but would also consider just starting with block time instruction. Close to PTK or howell preferably. Any suggestions?

 

[JackC]

Thats pretty far south

What type of instruction are you needing?

 

[Bob Turner]

Not really a good tailwheel trainer. Probably the best aerobatics trainer.

 

[tcsteelhead]

Have 20 hours in j3 cub, want to continue with a tailwheel type. Just need dual time to ensure proficiency and insurance requirements.

 

[tcsteelhead]

Thats pretty far south

What type of instruction are you needing?

Have 20 hours in j3 cub, want to continue with a tailwheel type. Just need dual time to ensure proficiency and insurance requirements.

 

[Bob Turner]

My comment above was inapposite. Sorry.

Yours is a good plan - 20 hours in a J-3 has prepared you for this. Just use your J-3 instructor.

I thought you meant using the Decathlon as a trainer with you as instructor.

 

[tcsteelhead]

My comment above was inapposite. Sorry.

Yours is a good plan - 20 hours in a J-3 has prepared you for this. Just use your J-3 instructor.

I thought you meant using the Decathlon as a trainer with you as instructor.

No worries. My initial post was poorly worded.

 

[tcsteelhead]

Thats pretty far south

What type of instruction are you needing?

Dual standard flight while learning and becoming comfortable with the aircraft.

 

[Bartman]

If you can travel a bit, Jared at Gambit Aviation has a Super Decathlon at Aurora Municipal just west of Chicago.

Flygambit.com

 

[Bob Turner]

The Cub instructor can do it. Stay in the pattern with him/her for five hours. You will be ok.

They told me that if I learned to fly the Cub well I could fly anything. That is close to true - while 20 Cub hours is not enough, your instructor probably has several hundred. I had no problems checking out in other taildraggers - sometimes nobody is around who is qualified, so I have to carefully do a self-checkout. Not optimum, but sometimes necessary. From memory, my self checkouts were C-180, UPF-7, V-77 Stinson, 450 Stearman, Super Cub, 108 Stinson, Aeronca Chief, and J4/J5. I always get a checkout from a knowledgable instructor when I can.

 

[Bartman]

I read his posts to mean he didn't have access to a Decathlon to do the training in.

That's a lot of airplanes to self-check in. I've got to get some gull wing Stinson time somewhere, that is a top three airplane in my book.

 

[Bob Turner]

It was either/or, in his first post. That, too, is smart.

I found the Gullwing to be a bit like a schoolbus - ponderous. A blimp might be just as much fun. It was beautiful, though.
Surprisingly, I got fully insured with zero experience. It hadn't flown since 1957.

Want excitement, try a C-195.

What I wouldn't do is a self-checkout in a Pitts.

 

[JackC]

I’d use the J3 guy as others said

If you can travel a bit, Jared at Gambit Aviation has a Super Decathlon at Aurora Municipal just west of Chicago.

Flygambit.com

failing that

I’d look into this, seems a more logical answer

I’m well north, not a cheap date, but if nothing else works PM and I could square you up sched depending