Thread: CTLS ownership question

Greetings everyone,
How many people that own and operate the CTLS have children (that are still in the house)? My story is that I want to own a plane, I really like either the CTLS or CUB Sport, however, I'm expecting my first child in October and I'm only 33. So when I talk to my wife about a plane, it is usually a 4 seater! Any thoughts would be appreciated!

John Pitus

If you expect to do family flying, you need to consider a 4-place. I am situated in the middle of the Atlantic Coast, as you are, and there are an incredible number of great places to fly that make for convenient weekend trips. But it won't be long until those 2-person trips become 3-person trips (with carseat, folding crib, yada yada yada).

My wife and I are empty-nesters now. We flew everywhere in the PK (pre-kid) days, mostly with rentals or club airplanes. Once we had a family, flying wasn't an option for us because of the economics. Now with one through college and one at Clemson, flying is back in the picture and the CTLS is a perfect choice for the kind of cross-countries and $50 hamburger flights that suit our current lifestyle, and it is a great way to go see the kids (and Tiger football games!).

Unless you have grandparents close by and they look at your fly-away weekends as a great opportunity to spoil their grandchild(ren), you need to be looking at a PPl and a 172.

I hate to tell you this but if you are expecting your first child and plan on doing a lot of flying I think you may be in for a big shock......

Good luck with all this.

I have a family of four and a CTsw. Our solution has been to have two airplanes..Our CT and a Piper Comanche I share with another person. One family hauler and the other for just plain fun..

If you can find some folks in your area that might want to share a couple airplanes, its a good way to keep costs down, and have access to the type of airplane you need at the time.

Good luck, just approach the subject carefully, you know those hormones can be a bit out of balance during pregnancy.

Eric

LOL...

You all crack me up!!! I've been blessed thus far... 10 weeks into it and she only had morning sickness once!!!! I already have my PPL, I've just been trying to decide between airplanes! And for some reason I always come back to the CTLS/SW.

Regards,

John

I would go with the CT and rent a four place when you need it.

I used to have a Cherokee 180 when we had our two kids at home, we did not go with the whole family on very many trips. The CT is so much cheaper and fun to fly. The four place GA airplanes are just air taxi's.

Alan, I need your help to convince my wife what you just said.

Bob C

Hey all thanks again! I guess it's hard for me to buy a 2 seater when in my mind, I'm going to make all of these really cool trips with the family!! But I do like to listen to people that might be older and wiser than I.

You never know how it's going to go. Some women want nothing to do with riding in your plane after they have children. Others will only go if the kids can go too since they don't want them left without parents if something bad happens.

My planes got progressively bigger as our 3 kids grew. When they would no longer fit 3 accross in the Lake Amphib we got a 6 seat C-180. We were making trips at least every other year from our home in Alaska to the lower 48. The C-180 was only good for a couple of trips before the 3 girls and their mother outgrew it. Then came the C-206. Great airplane, I kept it 18 years. But, after the first trip the girls became teenagers and no longer wanted to be seen with mom and dad.

None of the girls showed any interest in aviation during this time. It was not until the middle one turned 19 and announced she was going to fly jets. Mom and I couldn't figure out where that came from and thought it was a passing fantasy. Today, at 36, she flys MD-11's for FedEx.

Probably no matter what you buy, you'll wish you bought something else. If you are to have any hope of making flying a family affair, you will at least need access to a 4 place. But, most of your flying will probably be with only the front seats filled. Until you know a little better how this will play out for you, you might want to consider a club. Or, as was suggested, buy a CT but be in a partnership or club where you have access to larger planes.