Greetings everyone, and a thank you in advance for any replies to this topic as well as the incredible source of knowledge that this entire forum is. I am a long time lurker that finally decided to join a while back and I am just now getting around to participating in any way. I have been a little hesitant to join into conversations, since I feel like an intruder because I am not a pilot...yet!

This leads to my question. Anyone familiar with Platte Valley Airpark (18V) outside of Hudson, CO? Or better yet, can anyone tell me anything about Golden Aero, LLC that is based from there? My wife brought to my attention a Groupon for an introductory flight lesson with this outfit and encouraged me to purchase it. I explained to her that Groupon is not the ideal way to go about choosing a flight school, but the deal seemed good enough to have a go at it. I have not been able to find any information regarding them anywhere on line and I figured that many of you are familiar with the area and may have crossed paths with the company or the individual behind the company. I would be interested in what information anyone may have regarding them.

robbpike wrote:I have been a little hesitant to join into conversations, since I feel like an intruder because I am not a pilot...yet!

Trust me, there are much better ways to feel like an intruder here.

robbpike wrote:This leads to my question. Anyone familiar with Platte Valley Airpark (18V) outside of Hudson, CO? Or better yet, can anyone tell me anything about Golden Aero, LLC that is based from there? My wife brought to my attention a Groupon for an introductory flight lesson with this outfit and encouraged me to purchase it. I explained to her that Groupon is not the ideal way to go about choosing a flight school, but the deal seemed good enough to have a go at it. I have not been able to find any information regarding them anywhere on line and I figured that many of you are familiar with the area and may have crossed paths with the company or the individual behind the company. I would be interested in what information anyone may have regarding them.

If you decide to expand your search, I did my mountain flying training with these guys: http://www.specialtyflight.com/

I was very happy with the results and the staff.

I would suggest that if you ever get serious about training, you should find someplace that will allow you to work with multiple instructors in a coordinated fashion. Each CFI teaches differently, has different experiences and different personalities. There is strong benefit to that if you don't get your progress slowed down because each is a freelancer trying to teach their own curriculum.

That said, you can't go too far wrong with an introductory flight. If the groupon is a good price, buy it and go fly some. See if it's really the right hobby for you. Even if you end up choosing another school, you're only going to be out $100.

I fly over platte valley all the time - nice turf/gravel runway to practice. Not familiar with the company with the groupon though.

Specialty is good folks, as is Journeys. Both are here in Boulder. Also nearby are good fbo/schools at Longmont, Erie, and Metro (Broomfield). For taildraggers though I would go with Longmont - Elite Aviation. they have 3 citabrias on the flight line (gcbc, gcaa, and super dec) - good cheap rentals with 1/2 the checkout requirements of Specialty. Of course Specialty's citabria is almost brand new. 20hrs dual minimum as i recall. that's quite a bit of dual. Like enough to get a sport pilot certificate. Good guys though.

I don't know about the current ownership/insurance requirements of Elite at Longmont - but when they were Airwest they allowed landing on grass strips - which is kind of unheard of for rental planes. Most require you to stay strictly on pavement.

Thanks for the replies guys. I know that I need to do a little research on my end and find the right instructor/personality for me. I had better get to know some people locally. I have spent a number of lunch breaks sitting along the fence at both Boulder and Longmont depending on where work takes me during the week and just enjoy the views. I usually keep to myself and lay low, but people at both locations have been very friendly.

soyAnarchisto mentioned landing rentals on grass. Back when most little airports were grass, I rented tailwheel airplanes whose FBOs didn't want them landing on pavement. The tail wheel was little so it would dig into the soil and help keep the tail behind. The brakes were poor so that fewer would go on their nose. The runways were short and neither 1.3 nor Vso meant anything to most pilots.

Why don't you visit all the local small airports. I hang out at Longmont, good place, lots of traffic on weekends, though. Part of your search criteria might be ' what you want to do when you get your license/plane' ?

I don't think you or anybody else should feel like an intruder. Heck, I've been intruding here for the last 3 years or so and nobody has told me to take a hike. I'm sure it's been on a few people's mind, though

Welcome and enjoy the wealth of info here. I enjoy this forum very much. Keeps my mind on flying and big motivation to get my plane in the air again very soon.

Well thanks for making me feel welcome and not like an intruder guys. It is nice to know that there are so many welcoming individuals willing to help on this site. Growing up in Idaho, working as a teenager for a cropdusting outfit, and spending time flying Idaho's backcountry with friends has left the flying bug in my system for a long time now. It is about time I do something about it!

Welcome to BCP Rob.

Platte Valley is a great little airport. I know a lot of good folks up there, but I do not know the company you speak of. Hopefully they follow suit.

Sounds like you have the right mindset for this forum. There are plenty of great folks here in the Denver and Front Range area, don't hesitate to ask.

MM

Hi, welcome to the forum. I'm also from Idaho and am living in the Denver area. I fly out of BJC but have been into Platte Valley. They used to have the cheapest fuel in the area before BJC got a self serve pump. Compared to 29R at BJC, 18V looked pretty narrow. When I was working on my private ticket I ended up doing a go around because of the illusion of approaching too high. Haha! It would probably be a good field to learn at with it's proximity to class bravo ops and the radio work required. Eaton Valley view is a great dirt strip just to the north of there too, which has two runways. One of which is on a decent grade which is good to practice uphill/downhill landings on. Also Barnstormers restaurant at Greeley is a happening place on Saturday mornings. Western Air Flight Acadamy at BJC is where I got my license, and they have some very good instructors. I'll probably be up there this weekend messing with my plane if you want to meet up and go flying.

Bob

Thanks for the incredible replies from everyone, especially the local guys. I may have been going out on a limb a bit looking for information on a specific company, but I figured if anyone was going to know it would be the folks here. I can't say enough how incredible the sense of community is that is present on this site. There is an apparent brotherhood among the members here through their shared interest (lifestyle really). I appreciate the warm welcomes and kind offers that have been sent my direction.

I must admit, I had strongly considered driving up to Greeley with my son last year to attend the fly in, but didn't know that arriving by ground would be an approved form of travel. You guys have proven me wrong and I greatly look forward to meeting many of you as time and opportunities allow.

come over to boulder and say hi - we can go for a ride in the cub if you like

Or I can meet you over at platte valley - or looks like van air is even closer to you in brighton