Towner Posted December 12, 2020 Report Share Posted December 12, 2020 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrassStripFlyBoy Posted December 12, 2020 Report Share Posted December 12, 2020 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Towner Posted December 12, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 12, 2020 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flying Bozo Posted December 12, 2020 Report Share Posted December 12, 2020 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrassStripFlyBoy Posted December 12, 2020 Report Share Posted December 12, 2020 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Towner Posted December 12, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 12, 2020 Thanks. The CTLS belongs to the Sheriff's Department, but as a retiree, I think I can pull off a ride. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Towner Posted December 12, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 12, 2020 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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AGLyme Posted December 12, 2020 Report Share Posted December 12, 2020 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coppercity Posted December 12, 2020 Report Share Posted December 12, 2020 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Towner Posted December 12, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 12, 2020 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Towner Posted December 12, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 12, 2020 I guess I should mention that the instructor in Iowa is familiar with flying CTSW airplanes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sully209 Posted December 12, 2020 Report Share Posted December 12, 2020 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyjr Posted December 18, 2020 Report Share Posted December 18, 2020 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob K. Posted June 18, 2021 Report Share Posted June 18, 2021 I'm in San Jose and am interested in going up in a CT if anyone wants to take me up (I'll pitch in for expenses, of course). I just earned my Light Sport certificate TODAY (!) out of Reid-Hillview and ideally want to do fractional ownership of an LSA but would consider outright purchase. The CTs are my number-one choice on paper but I need to actually experience one to see if it's really for me. Anyone contact me if interested. I can fly a little ways to your location. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Towner Posted June 18, 2021 Author Report Share Posted June 18, 2021 I'm a little more than a hour away, but would be happy to take you up. I don't know if you are looking for a ride in a particular model, but mine is a CTSW. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Towner Posted June 18, 2021 Author Report Share Posted June 18, 2021 By the way, congratulations on your new certificate! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMonkey Posted June 18, 2021 Report Share Posted June 18, 2021 Congrats on the certificate, and hope you find the right airplane for you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob K. Posted June 19, 2021 Report Share Posted June 19, 2021 Thanks, everyone! Jeff (Towner) contacted me and offered a ride in his...he's about 130 nm from me so a good excuse for a little cross-country. Looking forward to checking out this cool little plane. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyjr Posted June 24, 2021 Report Share Posted June 24, 2021 On 6/18/2021 at 10:32 PM, Bob K. said: Thanks, everyone! Jeff (Towner) contacted me and offered a ride in his...he's about 130 nm from me so a good excuse for a little cross-country. Looking forward to checking out this cool little plane. Bob I'm out of Livermore and would be glad to take you up in the CTSW. Weekends are tough, but I can do Wednesday through out the day and most evenings after 4:30PM. PM me and I can get you my contact info that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob K. Posted July 3, 2021 Report Share Posted July 3, 2021 Thanks, Johnny. Actually a guy who has one right at Reid-Hillview offered to take me up so I'll be setting up a ride with him. Nice of you and Jeff to offer, though--thanks. By the way, if I like flying the CT, I would consider going into joint ownership with someone in this area--anyone contact me if interested. My club has an Evektor Sportstar that I've trained in but I can't book it on weekends for more than a couple hours at a time and I'd like a plane with few enough owners that it could sometimes be free for all-day or weekend getaways. --Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyjr Posted July 3, 2021 Report Share Posted July 3, 2021 Glad you found a few options. I’ll tell you one thing. The CT is a blast to fly, don’t get hung up of the rudder needs they have. You get tuned to it quickly and once you do tail wheel is a lot easier to get down. . I’m considering joining the local club in Livermore to get access to some 4 seat options. As part of that process I would like to sell off have of my CT. Still keep it for 80% of my needs and leverage the club’s fleet for the other 20% Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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