A few weeks ago, I learned that my flight school was planning to find a glass panel 172 to put on leaseback. At the time, I briefly considered investigating this as an opportunity to buy one myself, but I ruled that out very early in the process since I remain underemployed. They found someone that was looking to buy and they found an absolutely pristine 2007 172SP with a Garmin G1000. It is absolutely beautiful inside and out.
I’m definitely going to get a checkout in it, but it might take some time since it would involve transition training for the G1000. This comes at a great time, because it opens up options for my instrument rating. I can choose to stick with analog gauges and GPS, or I can make the transition to the latest and greatest. The thing I’m most excited about, is that the G1000 equipped 172 is only $10 more per hour. I’m excited. I’m hopeful I can squeeze at least a first flight in next week.
Regarding the instrument rating, I’ve started gearing up. I bought the Gleim exam book today and I have to say, it is pretty intimidating. I’m taking it one step at a time, but I hope to add instrument privileges by the end of the year. Tomorrow I am attending an event put on by the local FAA Safety Team and one of the seminars I registered for covers IFR charts, maybe that will be helpful. Either way I’m getting a free breakfast and lunch.