Crap!!!

[parmandjack]

To everyone who posted info here to me regarding jobs as Pms, and tho all those who emailed me... THANK YOU!!

You guys are great!!! I'll start investigating the opportunities you all mentioned...

Thanks again friends!

[daedaeg]

Well thanks for keeping us posted. It's always helpful to read other career changing type's stories. Sorry things didn't work out for you here in Houston. Best of luck.

[tommychuck]

Jack;

You're nuttier than a fruit cake, but I hear ya. I'm in a similar situation. Making decent $ in IT with a stable job, wife, two kids but trying to plug away at flying. I turned 42 the day you turned 45 (happy birthday). I got my "green light" to get my PPL on my 40th from my kind wife. She HATES flying.

Anywho, after having dreams of taking out a $60K loan for a "zero-to-hero" program, I came back down to earth and realized that putzing around my local patch and eventually getting my CFI isn't such a bad plan. I'm now on my local airport advisory board and spend as much time as I can at the airport.

Hang in there and take it a little at a time.

Tom

[Lee D]

Originally Posted by parmandjack

.. can you get a private rating in a turbo Lance, or would I need to buy a Warrior or Arrow to start?

Yes. You could get a private in a twin engine if you wanted. Insurability will be an issue however in high performance stuff like a turbo lance. I suspect with an instructor you would be OK, but for solo flying that would be a problem.

If you are looking to do your training in a plane you own, you are probably going to have to start with fixed gear plane. (172, Warrior or Archer etc. )
A fixed gear, high performance plane might work for you. Back in my instructing days we had student pilots buying Cirrus SR22's (300 hp) before their private was done. As I recall they needed more dual beyond the private rating, but I don't think it was too bad. BUT Cirrus' have fixed gear and the insurance companies liked that. Of course check around with insurance companies to find out how much of an issue it might be.

[Lee D]

Another problem with a Turbo Lance is the fuel $$$$$$. As I recall she is going to burn, on average, 19 to 20 gph crusing. (Less with a normally aspirated lance/saratoga.