Earthstar Forums

I was originally looking at the Soaring Gull 2000 (and still am), but eventually I will get my pilot certificate (preferably my private), and I like the idea of a single place odyssey, that can be flown under 103, but later upgraded to a 2 place. Like I said, it may not even be possible, but it would be nice. I was not thinking about the J ot JT2, I prefer more elbow room, lol, and a newer design.
Personally I think the tiny weight limit for US ultralights is a shame, the ultralights have gotten heavier, but almost all of that weight has come from things that make it a safer vehicle, stronger materials, more reliable engines, decent gauges/avionics, the Odyssey as it is would make a perfect ultralight, if 103 allowed the weight. I was planning on buying last season, but life got in the way (but the good news we have a new daughter in-law and a new grandson, lol), but I am still saving, and I WILL get there eventually, the only if is, will I have bought/built an ultralight (preferably an Earthstar), or finished my flight training first. :)

---In Earthstar_Aircraft@yahoogroups.com, <kessb@...> wrote :

An Odyssey as a single seater?? Why knot just a Gull 2000, as it has way more elbow room than the JT or JT2. As far as the skinniest 4-stroke 4 cylinder, the “D” motor looks interesting, but it’s about $17K. I’m staying with the 503 until I get rich or my money boat comes in, then it will be all electric.

One of our pilots here has been a long, long, time student pilot. Not that a big deal, but not able to take passengers. I would suggest a regular Odyssey flown with a student license, then when upgraded to sport or private, the passenger is ready to go. Just my .02
kb

Now that is an idea I did not think about, hmmm :)

Hello.. This is exactly what I decided to do. Bought an Odyssey last year. The cost of flying an Odyssey is so low that this puts cash in the bank not spent on lessons in a Cessna. Later on, the savings on every hour of flight pays for the airplane.


Also, ALL the hours in the Odyssey apply toward your PPL, as long as your instructors are full CFI's as distinct from Sport Pilot Instructor.



I have two CFI's ready to fly with me. Just sorting out final carburetor problems and hope to be in the air in a few weeks time.


PS - Have to also give a huge thanks to Mark for fielding my numerous questions. With Mark's careful guidance, the problems slowly get solved and now I know the mechanical side of the airplane quite well.


RMM


---In Earthstar_Aircraft@yahoogroups.com, <yhbobg@...> wrote :

Now that is an idea I did not think about, hmmm :)

I think that may be my goal, but in the mean time, I need to decide what plane to complete my flight training in, I am 95% decided to try for an AOPA flight training loan and take up where I left off on my 141 training syllabus (and take a refresher on my ground school, which they offer for free ), but the flight school no longer has any of the 152s I trained on, options are 162s or 172s (plus a few warriors), the 162 being the cheaper option. the 162 would be a no brainer, but the idea of no steerable nosewheel puts me off a bit, although a friend of mine that flies the 162 says you get used to it...

Too bad you can’t get C-150 time, as the airspeeds are in mph, and the C-152 is in knots. Choosing between the 172 and a 162, I would go with the 162, as you still steer with your feet on the pedals, and the plane is much lighter in the air and on the controls, more like our planes. The biggest thing I notice switching between a C-150/152 and Gull is the inertia. When you pull the power off, the Cessna coasts much longer, and I would suspect that the 162 will also be more kitey like our planes than the 172. just my .0002

I will probably go with the 162 for price anyway, with time in the 172 for night flying, not sure the 162 is set up for night (could be wrong, I'm not too familiar with them yet), and I already have a few hours in the 172.