337 for a brand new Pilot?

[kbecker]

I was told that the 337 Sim at RTC broke and could not be repaired. RTC has a similar but not identical 337 sim at their Tampa Florida location.

[n86121]

I had about 500 hours helicopter time. (a personal Enstrom for chasing girls). Then got about 10 hours in a C152, 3 hrs in a C172, then about 10 hours in a 337 w instructors, then bought one.

Went for RSTOL so it would be a close to a helicopter as possible.

Biggest transition was the kinetic energy and power. Compared to a single fixed wing you accelerate a lot faster, things happen faster along the way, and a lot more kinetic energy to manage on descent and deceleration.

And coming from helicopters, that whole thing about lining up with the runway and actually rolling it onto the ground. THAT was pretty scary too!

[hharney]

Is there a separate Cert/endorsement specifically for a 337 (Center line thrust)?

I am not sure anyone answered your questions. If you take all your training in a Skymaster there is a Limitation that is stamped on the back of your pilots license that indicates you are limited to Center Line Thrust. It's not an endorsement; it's a restriction. I don't suggest that you achieve your MEL qualification in a Skymaster. As you will be restricted to ONLY Center Line Thrust. Some say that is all they will ever fly. Well, maybe but if I was going to spend the money I would want to NOT have the limitation but still enjoy flying the Skymaster.

Just my suggestion as I been there done that........

As you advance your CFI will guide you to the pace you need to learn. The typical progression is SEL, SEL complex, Retractable Gear (could be ME) MEL and somewhere in between SEL and complex would be IFR