Central California looking for a ride in CTSW

[Towner]

Well, I did it. I just bought a CTSW in Iowa. Like a dummy, I bought it with NO experience in light sport airplanes!

Anyway, it will probably be a week or two before I can pick it up and get checked out in it. I was wondering if anyone had a CTSW in Central California that would be willing to take me up for a ride in the meantime? I figure I’m gonna need all the help I can get, and flying around with a good pilot with experience in the model could be a huge help.

Thanks,

Jeff

[GrassStripFlyBoy]

Congrats on the purchase.  A suggestion, of all the CT's in the US I'm sure not all ~300 owners are actively on this forum.  You might search the FAA registration by aircraft type, and then google search the owner details to make a connection close to home.

[Towner]

Thanks, good idea. I know of a CTLS in the area that I can hitch a ride in, but sounds like the CTSW handles a bit different. 

[Flying Bozo]

In my opinion you just bought the best light sport out there. That was also confirmed by a local CFI friend who has tought in several other brands of SLSAs.

I think that the CTs (or at least the CTSWs) are the Cessna 182s of the light sport class.

Will carry legally around 600 pounds of fuel baggage and passengers.,

Will true out at a real 120 knots,

Carbon Fiber is nearly bullet proof.

Very wide and comfortable cabin.

I have had mine 10 years and still think of it as the best choice.

Larry

[GrassStripFlyBoy]

9 minutes ago, Towner said:

Thanks, good idea. I know of a CTLS in the area that I can hitch a ride in, but sounds like the CTSW handles a bit different. 

I did my first flight in a LS about a month before buying my SW, the control stick forces may have a little difference, otherwise the sight picture and flight characteristics are not a big enough difference.  Any time in a CT is good experience.

[Towner]

Thanks. The CTLS belongs to the Sheriff's Department, but as a retiree, I think I can pull off a ride.

[Towner]

It was hard to buy with no experience, and posts about quirky handling all over the place, but in the end, owners seem to love em!

[AGLyme]

Not “quirky”, just different than the standard 172 and Cherokee.  Akin to jumping into a taildragger. Different enough in my opinion that you may want to line up a ferry pilot and then a qualified instructor who will provide at least 10 hours of (planned) transition time.  I took more than that.

[coppercity]

Jeff,

We are a ways out of Cali in Arizona but do have lots of experience in all models of CT's.  We have two CTLS's currently we teach in.  Happy to help.

 

[Towner]

When I pick up the plane in Iowa, there is a flight instructor there that is gonna get me checked out in the plane. I’m just trying to get a head start.

[Towner]

I guess I should mention that the instructor in Iowa is familiar with flying CTSW airplanes 

[Sully209]

Not sure where you’re located in 5he valley. I have a 2016 CTLSi at PTV. She goes in for annual Monday but once she’s out I am more than happy to take you to show you how much I don’t know. 

[johnnyjr]

Congrats Towner!  You will love the CTSW., bought mine with no experience while working on my PPL.  Dont regret it one bit, I've loved every minute of flying her.  Since May 2020 I've racked up about 150 hours, frequent trips to SoCal for a beach weekend away as well as the Napa and Sonoma Valleies.

I'm based out of Livermore?  I'd be happy to take you up in my SW if we can make something work.  I'm off the next couple weeks for the holidays.

Also there is a friend and instructor based here in Livermore who also owns a CTSW that would be good for some training if you feel the need after you return her home.