solo in a Cherokee 260?

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cherokee6

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cherokee6
Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum. I am 16 and starting (official) lessons In my grandfather's 1966 Cherokee 260. I use "official" in parentheses, as he has been teaching me how to fly in it for most of my life, but he is not a CFI. I will eventually solo, and probably could if I ever had to, but it still seems like a little much plane. The runway is 3000 feet, not much room for margin of error in a 260. I am excited and nervous, as should be expected. But has anyone here ever soloed in a Cherokee 6?
 
I cannot answer as to first solos in Cherokee 6 - 260s. But you can eventually get to first solo in most any aircraft. It just may take longer in more complex aircraft.

The bigger question is, will the insurance company allow it within a reasonable increase to the insurance premium.
 
Thank you! And yes, I was able to get insurance for it, and an instructor who will teach me in it. It just feels a little to solo in a plane with a lot more power than a standard trainer.
 
You might want to switch to a Cherokee or Warrior with a 150 engine and a fixed pitch prop. It's gonna work out better. Talk to your instructor.
 
A lady over on BeechTalk solo'd in a Bonanza (I think a 36 even...). That would be a retractable and high performance airplane...

Insurance will be more...
 
Using grandpa's airplane and getting the insurance is a lot cheaper than a beat up 150hp Cherokee. You'll burn more fuel with the bigger engine, but save on other costs.

You'll be trained for what you are flying. It can complete all of the PTS maneuvers. It's a heavy airplane, flies just fine with only 2. You'll be trained for that 3000ft runway, but most likely may use a different runway (longer) for your first solo.

A competent instructor will know you, the plane and will know when you are ready to solo, even on a 3000ft runway.

Press On!
 
You can solo in anything, just don't be surprised if it takes you WAY above the national average to complete this and your license.
 
Thanks guys! This forum is great, you are all helpful!
 
At my home airport there is a 3 way partnership on a Cherokee Six that includes two student pilots. Both have soloed the Cherokee without issues.

The only things I can really think of that are slightly more complicated on the Cherokee Six is the fuel system and constant speed prop. Neither of these is a big issue, just make sure your instructor is familiar with them so they can properly teach you.
 
It's an airplane that flies like most any airplane. Ignore the nay-sayers. A good instructor combined with common sense and good judgement will leave you doing just fine in the 260.
 
It's not very big compared to a T-6 Texan or SNJ, and thousands of young men soloed in those! You'll be fine.
 
To you that 260 isn't gonna seem like "too much airplane" cause thats what you are gonna be starting on
 
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It's an airplane ,just a little heavier and more powerful .snce you already have some time in it,you should be fine.
 
You can solo in anything you learn in. I know a guy who soloed in a Cessna 210. His father was in a 210 co-ownership and one of the owners was a CFI.
 
My Dad did all of his private in a Comanche 250 and my Uncle did his in a Turbo 206. One of my instructors was a Navy pilot in the late 40s and the first airplane he ever flew was the SNJ (T-6). Don
 
Yes, I have been flying a lot in it and my only issue is landing. I can land alright, but it can take a little while to land, as the plane seems to have more lift than a comparable trainer. Everything happens faster than it did when I took a lesson in a citabria. Getting the nose up is also one of my shortcomings. It is a long plane, and I almost always land flat, but that is just a matter of experience and getting the hang of it.
 
cherokee6 said:
Yes, I have been flying a lot in it and my only issue is landing. I can land alright, but it can take a little while to land, as the plane seems to have more lift than a comparable trainer. Everything happens faster than it did when I took a lesson in a citabria. Getting the nose up is also one of my shortcomings. It is a long plane, and I almost always land flat, but that is just a matter of experience and getting the hang of it.
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Nope, it doesn't have too much lift...it has too much speed. Nail the approach speed and the landings will come.

Whether it's a Cessna 150 or a Cherokee 6, it just takes time to iron out the kinks.
 
I see no issues with it as long as your insurance company is OK with it. Enjoy it! Not many people are lucky enough to train in what they will be flying, I did my instrument and beyond in my airplane but I still had to learn in the Warrior. It may take you a little more time to solo and finish your private because there is a little more to learn and take into consideration (weight and balance especially) in the Six but nothing extreme.
 
cherokee6 said:
Thank you! And yes, I was able to get insurance for it, and an instructor who will teach me in it. It just feels a little to solo in a plane with a lot more power than a standard trainer.
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That's true, but I know of people whose first solo has been in something like a Beech Baron twin, with two engines that size or larger. It's certainly less common than training in a PA28 Cherokee or Skyhawk or the like, but it's not at all unheard of. You may take a bit longer to solo in a plane like that, and you will have a couple more things to learn (like constant speed props), but it's a perfectly good choice if that's what you've been learning in so far and will be flying in the future.
 
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ja_user said:
You can solo in anything,
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Not quite anything -- you can't "solo" in a Learjet since it requires two pilots and isn't an airship or gas balloon. But certainly any light airplane.
61.87(a) said:
The term "solo flight" as used in this subpart means that flight time during which a student pilot is the sole occupant of the aircraft or that flight time during which the student performs the duties of a pilot in command of a gas balloon or an airship requiring more than one pilot flight crewmember.
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I learned from zero hours through my IR in our Cessna 182, my son soloed in our current 182 on his 16th birthday. It's really no big deal, it's just what you get used to flying! :D I wouldn't recommend a twin, but just about any piston single is prety doable for most folks, and having flown a lot with your grandfather should make it as easy for you as a 172. :D
 
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