The Story Of Bill’s Idea To Own An Airplane And Become A Sport Pilot Didn’t Work Out So Well, But Maybe It Can Teach Us A Lesson

Anxious to own a plane and become a sport pilot, Bill purchased a damaged, sport pilot eligible, classic airplane. His plan was to restore the plane and use it for his training. He was enthusiastic about his plan but his problems started when none of the local flight instructors would provide instruction in his airplane. He finally found an instructor that had some taildragger experience but would not fly in Bill’s plane because it did not have dual brakes.

The lesson here is that Bill’s concept was good but his planning was flawed. He jumped on a “good deal” but he let his enthusiasm put the rudder before the prop. If you are going to buy first, and then learn to fly, make sure the training end of the plan will work before you buy.

Adding on to the training challenge, Bill approached the repair and restoration project with the mentality of building an amateur built experimental airplane. He was not prepared for the regulatory complexity and expense of restoring a type certificated aircraft. Two years after his purchase, Bill does not have his plane restored and, when it is completed, he may not be able to train in it because of the lack of a flight instructor.

Bill has finally linked up with an EAA chapter that has an A&P mechanic as a member. This will be a big help in the process of restoring the airplane but Bill’s enthusiasm has been tempered by the setbacks.

This story does not have the classic happy ending, yet, but it does serve as a lesson to the importance of getting the facts and planning ahead. Bill’s concept was solid but his planning was lacking.

(Image of Taylorcraft DC-12D from file)

FMI: FAA Sport Pilot Rules