rbboydston

Hi all,

Just found out that I will be doing my training in a brand new Alarus made
by Aircraft Manufacturing and Development Company, because the school's 172s
are booked solid with instrument rating students. Has anyone had any
experience with this plane? I was told that I could also train in the Beech
Sundowner instead if I so choose. Which do you all think I should do? The
school said that the Alarus has all modern avionics including a color Garmin
(some number I forgot) GPS and that it would be a good choice since I intend
to get my instrument rating as well. Since it is only a two seat airplane I
am a little worried about spending all of this time and money into a plane
that I will not be able to rent in the future (family 4 people). How
difficult would it be to train in this plane and then rent a sundowner or
something similar I can fly the whole family in?

Thanks

Rob
rbboydston@cox.net

matthew chidester

I've got over a 150 hours in one - it's a really good trainer as long as
you're not doing a t/o in a high alt. place on a very hot day with full
tanks (you really have to do weight and balance and performance numbers..)

but like I said it's an awesome trainer here are some pics (in the PPL area
i'm still working on the links):

http://home.comcast.net/~matthewchidester/

http://www.newplane.com

matthew chidester

so to answer your q i would def. go with the alarus.. new avionics with the
gps - low wing (how many high wing airliners are out there..?) a little
sensitive but a good IFR trainer

but yeah i hear ya on the only can carry one other person problem.. my
school won't let me take anyone up but close family

Matthew

rmehler

I checked out in one awhile ago.

Performance-wise, it's quite a dog. Lower numbers than much older airplanes
using the same engine.

For better or worse, it seemed to be the easiest airplane to land I've
ever flown.

Personally, I dislike electric trim and even electric flaps, but that does
seem to be the way things are going. Maybe it's good to get used to them
from the get-go.

Not only is it a two-seater, but, like the Diamond Air two-seaters, it only
provides a little hatrack area for baggage. I'd prefer more space, as in
Cessna, Piper and OMF two-seaters.

Flying a new airplane where everything works and the interior is not cracked
and patched with duct tape changes the ambiance of flight training a bit,
again, for better or worse, depending on your perspective. There's nothing
wrong with the Alarus, it just lacks character.

henry and debbie mcfarland

The Alarus is built as a trainer. The designer and manufacturer makes no
bones about it. I didn't find it to be a dog. In fact, it was rather nice to
fly a new airplane. I went to the factory and flew with the test pilot on a
maiden flight of one, a really awesome experience.

The concept of this airplane is ingenious. The parts that students mutilate
are the parts that are easily replaced or repaired in this airplane ( in the
field or at the factory). Add the modern avionics package and you have a
great combination.

I've flown 150s, 152s, 170s, 172s, 180s, 182s, 195s, several low wings from
Ercoupes to Aero Commanders. Nothing shook, hissed or jerked. It was nice.

The Alarus lets two fat boys fly. It also lets a short sh*t like me reach
the rudders without a cushion. That, my fellow pilots, is a pleasant change.

A lot of hard work has gone into the design and manufacture of this
airplane. It has my respect and I'm a taildragger pilot ;-).

Tour the factory.

Deb

--
1946 Luscombe 8A (His)
1948 Luscombe 8E (Hers)
1954 Cessna 195B, restoring (Ours)
Jasper, Ga. (JZP)

news:<5W4db.3585$k74.2805@lakeread05>...

matthew chidester

I totally agree with henry - it's a great private/instrument trainer and if
you're doing commercial part 61 you need to build hours anyway to 250 so you
don't NEED a high performance single engine.. plus it teaches you to really
watch for weight and balance issues and performance (makes you a better
pilot) but probably once you start working on commercial (if you plan to)
you'll probably have to move away from the alarus but in general it's a
great trainer

Matthew

bit,

nothing