They'd make great rentals..The only way I see people utilizing the 172's would be to implement 2-3 lessons within step 4. Otherwise, they will collect dust.
Better how? Better for teaching someone who's never done them before? The Zlin was overkill. Better for a CFI endorsement? No, it spins nothing like the basic trainers the CFI should be prepared for.
The sensible thing from a flight training standpoint would be offer an advanced aeros course in the Extra and spin the new 172's.
But, of course, they're both there for marketing more than anything else.
Not at all. Our maintenance is great. The Zlin parts (from what I hear) are hard to come by and/or expensive. Cost analysis.....guess this is why FSA turned their heads to contract out the spin program."...falling apart Zlins..."
Why because maintenance department does NOT know how to use metric tools? Or because the director of maintenance stink?
I like your metaphor :laff: I drive a corvette. I get your point.I always need hugs.
My point is the object of the spin training is to prepare the instructor for the student who spins when trying a power-on stall. That training is better accomplished in a 172.
The Extra (I've only flown the 300) is funner than, well, almost anything, but that doesn't make it a better initial trainer. If the desire is for an aerobatic airplane then something like a decathlon would be a better bet, for basic and simple handling. Imagine spin training were compulsory for Private Pilot students (it should be!). As their instructor, do you think they benefit more from seeing it in the airplane they've been flying, or from a greatly higher performance airplane which handles totally differently?
Using an Extra is like teaching skid control to a Prius driver in a Corvette. Great fun, but it doesn't really translate and won't be all that useful when doing it for real.
It's obvious the decision was part of 'Shiney Flightline Syndrome' to attract students rather than for quality of training.
Don't know, but it'll be less than before.What are they gonna charge for the URT course?