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UpstateX3
09-25-2013, 11:45 AM
I’m a dreaming wannabe at this point - 44 years old with 2nd of 3 kids in college, saving regularly each month to hopefully let the dream play out once the last one starts college in about 20 months. Here is my plan in the order I think (hope) it will happen, so I’m looking for some comments or affirmations that I am on the right track.

Class III Medical – not terribly worried, but planning to lose 15 lbs to be sure the blood pressure doesn’t become a talking point.
ASEL PPL lessons – hoping for ~6 months start to finish
Purchase an EAB kit – looking at the AP SeaRey due to the functions it does well and my intended uses up north here

One concern I have is being near Albany, NY there is no easy way to rent an aircraft after I finish the PP certificate, so thinking of just keeping going with endorsements while I build – I have no interest in a club for various reasons. Doing an LSA just in case something medically related becomes a concern.


Over the following 12 months - Tail wheel endorsement, ASES rating, maybe IFR training if I can afford it, and finish the kit and get it signed off
Get type training from the manufacturer or another CFI out of state – nobody seems to have a SeaRey around here – but PLEASE correct me if I’m wrong as I’ve never seen one in person.
Fly off the 40 hours for an uncertified EAB

I’m hoping this is a 2-3 year process. Waiting for the kids to be gone and the money to accumulate ahead of starting will hopefully allow me to stay on track. But who can predict what may come - I actually took lessons when I was 22 and soloed but ran out of money.
Did I miss anything, or anybody have stories they can share on how they achieved the dream of owning and flying your own bird? I have MSFS X and use that to help cure the flying bug a bit, but any thoughts on how to occupy my time or prepare for the journey besides watching everything I can find on YouTube and the FAA documents on flight training?

Oh yeah – one big thing I have been holding out on is telling the wife about the plan. She has known my passion for all things aviation for the 25 years we’ve been married and she even toted around during my 11 years in the Air Force despite my not being a flyer there. Any advice on approaching this with her without losing my cool when she says “ya, right - you already tried that” ?

Thanks for any and all comments.

Flyfalcons
09-25-2013, 12:37 PM
Instrument training will be expensive and of no use to you if your plan is to fly a SeaRay around for fun. I'd skip that idea and put those funds toward the plane. It also looks like there is at least one flying club at Albany, so that might be a good start towards bringing up the idea of airplane ownership to your wife.

Sam Buchanan
09-25-2013, 02:36 PM
I suggest you drop all the bullet points except for getting the PPL. Until you have a license and have spent some time flying you really don't have a valid idea of the type of flying you want to spend big $$$$'s on.

But the biggie is getting your wife on board with your plans. See this thread currently running:

http://eaaforums.org/showthread.php?4361-Non-flyer-needs-help-deciding-on-what-kit-to-build

Having said all that, best wishes for fulfilling your dream of flight! Just take it one small step at a time and be prepared for forks in the road that you can't anticipate at this point.

m_motorsports
09-26-2013, 07:28 PM
If you would like to get your license & seaplane training in your Searey near Albany (if you get one), Dick Bovey (518-638-9723) can do it in Argyle, NY. He is a Seaplane CFI & FAA certified Examiner how signed me off in my Searey/914 last year. Had lots of Fun during my check ride with Dick...

Jim Hardin
09-27-2013, 04:47 AM
I don't see anything wrong with your plan, an organized approach is always a good approach, especially for a pilot:)

While 'instrument training' is good, that part could be modified depending on how you feel after getting what you need of it for your Private...

You can get your tail dragger endorsement if you take some time in the Searey as one suggested.

I would start in early with the wife, like right now! Approach it for what it is, a Dream in Planning...

UpstateX3
09-27-2013, 11:39 AM
All great suggestions - thanks for the feedback!

Jim - I especially like your last line. Taking this approach will let me know if I have a partner in the journey, a casual observer, or need to invest heavily in convincing her the dream is important to me and not a big waist of money.