Long-EZ first (initial training) plane feasibility?

[wildkiwi]

Having not really flown an airplane before (with exception of very limited hands on controls in straight-n-level flight), is purchasing an existing LongEZ and obtaining lessons from an experienced Ez pilot a viable option?

 

I do have in excess of 4000 hours Rotor-wing, the majority being MD500 and a bit in the R22.

 

I'm seeking a quick and affordable way of transiting between regional airports without relying on commercial airlines.

 

Your thoughts / opinions on the LongEz as an initial training aircraft would be appreciated?

[Marc Zeitlin]

Having not really flown an airplane before (with exception of very limited hands

on controls in straight-n-level flight), is purchasing an existing LongEZ and obtaining lessons from an experienced Ez pilot a viable option?

...

Your thoughts / opinions on the LongEz as an initial training aircraft would be appreciated?

If all you want is familiarization/transition flights to get used to a LE and you already have a PP certificate, then yes - what you propose is eminently doable (although I would suggest training in the right seat of a COZY, since they have full dual controls).

 

However, if what you're asking is whether you can take TRAINING from a CFI in a Long-EZ, the answer is (for MOST Long-EZ's) "not legally", since full dual controls are required for legal training/testing in aircraft (See 14 CFR Part 61.45 and Part 91.109). There are a few Long-EZ's with full controls in the rear seat, but they're few and far between. Again, I'd recommend training in a COZY, since they all have full dual controls - once trained, transitioning to a Long-EZ is a piece of cake. I don't know of any CFI that does primary training in COZY's, but I do know a few that do transition training.

[Kent Ashton]

Your time is all rotary-wing?  Still, 4000 hours is good experience; that counts for a lot when flying a new machine.

 

Get checked out in a Cessna and do a lot of no-flap landings.  If you are comfortable a Cessna or other fixed-wing trainer, canard airplanes would not be a problem.  Just look at the dumbasses who fly them now.  :-)

 

Yep, it's nice to leave home and be airborne in 30-40 minutes.  With the airlines, you can barely park the car in that time.

[wildkiwi]

Your time is all rotary-wing?  Still, 4000 hours is good experience; that counts for a lot when flying a new machine.

 

Get checked out in a Cessna and do a lot of no-flap landings.  If you are comfortable a Cessna or other fixed-wing trainer, canard airplanes would not be a problem.  Just look at the dumbasses who fly them now.  :-)

 

Yep, it's nice to leave home and be airborne in 30-40 minutes.  With the airlines, you can barely park the car in that time.

 

We're obviously all on the same page there mate. As it stands in a LongEZ it would be a 6 hour flight to work and the company would reimburse me for more than double the cost of fuel. With all the BS the other day it was a 13 hour day for me to return home via commercial airline.

[Kent Ashton]

6 hours! Maybe you need to move closer to work.

 

Figure on about 155 knots TAS, more or less. That 'd be 930 miles for six hours. Business class with a gin and tonic doesn't sound too bad when you have to go that distance every week.

Edited August 19, 2016 by Kent Ashton

[JAM]

Similarly, kinda, I purchased a Falcon XP, 2 place, 503 and have difficulty to find cfi that wants to learn so he could endorse, I am currently training light sport in a Bush Cat, and a few hours from solo, according to cfi (13 landings last sesson).

60 miles NW of Chicago (10C) would like to find canard clubs nearby, possibly Falcon pilot, though rare.

Any assisstance helpful, or canard rides/lectures etc. Thanks Joe

[DeeCee 57]

"Having not really flown an airplane before (with exception of very limited hands on controls in straight-n-level flight), is purchasing an existing LongEZ and obtaining lessons from an experienced Ez pilot a viable option?"

 

Sure is a viable option! Of course rotary to fixed wing is a different game... on the same subject, any canard to conventional craft is a different game as well. With your experience and proper training, should not be a problem at all, enjoy!

[Jgoodrich2]

Any names or contacts for cozy training? I have a PPL and am looking to buy a Long EZ. I am in Lubbock Tx but will travel.

[Marc Zeitlin]

Any names or contacts for cozy training? I have a PPL and am looking to buy a Long EZ. I am in Lubbock Tx but will travel.

I have an excellent canard transition training instructor - an F-16 and F-35 test pilot at Edwards AFB who flies a COZY MKIV. Get in touch with me via the email below and I'll connect you.