Cardiff Kook
PATRON
Sisters, OR
Looking for feedback from those who have been there/done that.
I've read some other posts similiar to this on sc.org- but I figure each situation is different. I.e. some people have grown kids (mine are infant/toddler) or different reasons.
So here goes:
A bit about me/my life:
1. Family of 3, soon to be 4.
1. Financially I could swing it- but I loathe being wasteful of resources.
2. I am working- but have decent freedom to work when/where I want
3. Early 40's
If I bought 2nd airplane I would like to keep the cub. I'll call the 2nd plane "fast hauler." Probably a 185- I like tailwheels. I don't want to make this about the plane choice though- I have other threads on that.
I keep talking myself into/out of it.
My reason for wanting, other than airplanes are cool, is I would like to be able to take my wife, 2 year old, and eventually new baby due later this year. (question on ages to come.)
I am hesitant for a couple of reasons:
1. Hassle of owning two planes vs one.
2. Concerns about how much would I actually fly the fast hauler? I'm flying my cub about 100 hours a year right now (but that's with 1 kid.) Generally 2 hour flights around the area and back to homebase. I don't go too far because I need to be on the ground early for winds (my buddy who has 180 claims I would actually fly the "fast hauler" more because it would shrug off the winds/thermals in Central Oregon better than the cub.) I also need to be home because- well I have a wife and kid- so overnights away aren't ideal- for me or for them.
3. How easy is it to fly with young kids? Toddler and an infant? Is it even feasible? Will the kids keep their headset on? Will they need tended to in their car seats? Could my wife tend to the children in flight? Would she sit in the front with me or in the back with them? I would want them in their car seats. Given this would be a travel plane- how long could our legs be? (Input from those who have done it is appreciated.)
The pros I have as the following?
1. Fun adventures with family
2. Ability to fly to overnight destinations that I wouldn't want to do visit without my family.
3. My mother and sister live a 7 hour drive or a 2 hour flight. I would hopefully see them more.
4. Access to a vacation home with family which is a 6 hour drive vs 1.5 hour flight. I understand "real time" is driving to airport, prepping plane, flight plan, etc- but for kids it would be 1.5 hours of travel. 6 hours in car with kids is brutal.
5. My 180 buddy claims I will actually fly more locally as it will handle Central Oregon winds/thermals better.
Cons:
1. Hassle mentally of 2 planes to own/maintain
2. Will I fly it enough? (side question: how many hours a year does a plane need to fly to not have the negative effects of sitting?)
3. Financial opportunity cost of 2nd plane- either for investing or buying other experiences (trips)
The timing of my life feels pretty good because I figure I have decent flexibility time wise right now. My kids aren't in school yet so we have flexibility there too but they are real young which perhaps makes flying with them impractical? My wife doesn't work.
Timing feels not right because perhaps flying with an infant and a toddler on 2-4 hour trips is not really feasible (input?)
I guess even if they are too young- I would want to get at least 50 hours in the thing probably before I flew with them- to get proficient and comfortable. Almost all my time is cub like aircraft time and I'm under 150 hours TT. Even if I bought it now- I may want to fly it for 6 months before taking the family up.
I guess there is possibility I could get the fast family hauler, and decide I actually fly that more than the cub. I doubt it- but my 180 buddy seems to think so. For local stuff I'm not sure that is possible- but maybe. It would be hard for me to justify the 9 gallons more per hour and less nimble flying characteristics. We have strong crosswinds most afternoons and lots of thermals in central Oregon.
Anyways- input appreciated. If you have personally gone through this and ended up buying- it would be great to know how it worked out. If you regreted it or not. Things to think about.
Even if I don't get any feedback writing this was helpful for me to formulate my thoughts.
I've read some other posts similiar to this on sc.org- but I figure each situation is different. I.e. some people have grown kids (mine are infant/toddler) or different reasons.
So here goes:
A bit about me/my life:
1. Family of 3, soon to be 4.
1. Financially I could swing it- but I loathe being wasteful of resources.
2. I am working- but have decent freedom to work when/where I want
3. Early 40's
If I bought 2nd airplane I would like to keep the cub. I'll call the 2nd plane "fast hauler." Probably a 185- I like tailwheels. I don't want to make this about the plane choice though- I have other threads on that.
I keep talking myself into/out of it.
My reason for wanting, other than airplanes are cool, is I would like to be able to take my wife, 2 year old, and eventually new baby due later this year. (question on ages to come.)
I am hesitant for a couple of reasons:
1. Hassle of owning two planes vs one.
2. Concerns about how much would I actually fly the fast hauler? I'm flying my cub about 100 hours a year right now (but that's with 1 kid.) Generally 2 hour flights around the area and back to homebase. I don't go too far because I need to be on the ground early for winds (my buddy who has 180 claims I would actually fly the "fast hauler" more because it would shrug off the winds/thermals in Central Oregon better than the cub.) I also need to be home because- well I have a wife and kid- so overnights away aren't ideal- for me or for them.
3. How easy is it to fly with young kids? Toddler and an infant? Is it even feasible? Will the kids keep their headset on? Will they need tended to in their car seats? Could my wife tend to the children in flight? Would she sit in the front with me or in the back with them? I would want them in their car seats. Given this would be a travel plane- how long could our legs be? (Input from those who have done it is appreciated.)
The pros I have as the following?
1. Fun adventures with family
2. Ability to fly to overnight destinations that I wouldn't want to do visit without my family.
3. My mother and sister live a 7 hour drive or a 2 hour flight. I would hopefully see them more.
4. Access to a vacation home with family which is a 6 hour drive vs 1.5 hour flight. I understand "real time" is driving to airport, prepping plane, flight plan, etc- but for kids it would be 1.5 hours of travel. 6 hours in car with kids is brutal.
5. My 180 buddy claims I will actually fly more locally as it will handle Central Oregon winds/thermals better.
Cons:
1. Hassle mentally of 2 planes to own/maintain
2. Will I fly it enough? (side question: how many hours a year does a plane need to fly to not have the negative effects of sitting?)
3. Financial opportunity cost of 2nd plane- either for investing or buying other experiences (trips)
The timing of my life feels pretty good because I figure I have decent flexibility time wise right now. My kids aren't in school yet so we have flexibility there too but they are real young which perhaps makes flying with them impractical? My wife doesn't work.
Timing feels not right because perhaps flying with an infant and a toddler on 2-4 hour trips is not really feasible (input?)
I guess even if they are too young- I would want to get at least 50 hours in the thing probably before I flew with them- to get proficient and comfortable. Almost all my time is cub like aircraft time and I'm under 150 hours TT. Even if I bought it now- I may want to fly it for 6 months before taking the family up.
I guess there is possibility I could get the fast family hauler, and decide I actually fly that more than the cub. I doubt it- but my 180 buddy seems to think so. For local stuff I'm not sure that is possible- but maybe. It would be hard for me to justify the 9 gallons more per hour and less nimble flying characteristics. We have strong crosswinds most afternoons and lots of thermals in central Oregon.
Anyways- input appreciated. If you have personally gone through this and ended up buying- it would be great to know how it worked out. If you regreted it or not. Things to think about.
Even if I don't get any feedback writing this was helpful for me to formulate my thoughts.