182 to 337 transition; wise?

[Dave Underwood]

my two cents worth.

I had been out of flying for a few years (12 to be exact) when I decided to return to flying. Up to that point I had flown a variety of aircraft, of which 400 hours was in retractable complex singles.

I wanted a simple, straight forward, safe multi and after flying a Seneca II doing single engine work at less than 200 fpm climb on the missed on a warm day, decided that was not for me.

Did some more research and figured the 337 was the best and not unreasonable in terms of complexity for me, even if I was not flying it regularily.

I found my FT337GP and returned to flying using it to train in. A bit of a step, but it was similar to 182's and 210's from the past, just heavier, faster and a little more complex. Pretty easy to fly all in all and single engine requires little effort and no sweat at all.

So in answer to the original question in this thread, moving from a 172 to a 337 is not a big step. You would make a similar step moving to a 210 or any training multi-engine aircraft. I would advise you get good training for the transition. If you can find an instructor with 337 experience, all the better.

As to licences, I did not have an FAA license (and my Canadian ones had lapsed) so I did my FAA private ride in the 337. The DPE had to get clearance for the ride and my licence was then private, multi-engine land, center line thrust restricted.

I then went to Florida and trained for my IR in 172's. Along the way did the SEL ride which the DPE wanted me to have before he would do the IR ride in the 172. My license was then SEL, MEL CLT restricted, Intrument Airplane, ME restricted to VFR only

I then did some time in a Duchess, training for the ME-IR. The DPE had to get permission again regarding the removal of the CLT restriction, but on that ride, I was given the ME-IR and had the CLT restriction removed. The license then read SEL & MEL, Instrument airplane.

In respect to the other questions on the thread, you can do the MEL ride in the 337 provided the DPE gets clearance from his FSDO. The license will be MEL, CLT restricted.

A MEL-IR would also be CLT resticted until you do the required upgrades per the practical test standards. That is mostly a VMC demo and demonstrating control while single engine and an approach and landing. That is only if you wanted to remove that restriction. I got that for free because of what I was training in.

I also think it is a good idea to fly a variety of multi-engine planes so you can appreciate how much nicer and simple the 337 is to fly in comparison.

Regards - Dave