Hi All,

New member, first post, here.
I'm a newly-minted private pilot (3 days ago) and I have a early inheritance of a Cessna 180 coming my way. My dad is a retired farmer who can no longer fly it and wants to keep it in the family. It's been stored in his hangar back in Maine for the past 10 years and hasn't done anything more than taxi around during that time. So now I need to get my taildragger endorsement and am finding out that instructors are few and far between in the Colorado Springs area. Can anyone out there point me in the right direction so that I can get prepared for this ultimate toy that is coming my way?

RSPerk

Congrats on your new PPL achievement! Cool story about your dad handing down the family 180. I just helped the new owner of the C-180 Raffle plane bring his airplane home from AK to ND. We could work on getting your TW endorsement while providing HP, Complex and C-180 Insurance requirement training while bringing your bird safely home. Give me a call to discuss.

Jon "Jughead" Counsell, 850-Seven Two Three-2072.

The closest thing we have available in the area is up in Denver. KAPA, KBJC and maybe still someone at KCFO. Otherwise, you might luck out and find an independent locally that would be willing. Otherwise, options like Jughead suggests and I highly recommend Jughead for training and help with getting your dad's 180 here.

I'm in Falcon, KFLY as the home airport, send a message if you need help with anything else.

jugheadF15 wrote:RSPerk

Congrats on your new PPL achievement! Cool story about your dad handing down the family 180. I just helped the new owner of the C-180 Raffle plane bring his airplane home from AK to ND. We could work on getting your TW endorsement while providing HP, Complex and C-180 Insurance requirement training while bringing your bird safely home. Give me a call to discuss.

Jon "Jughead" Counsell, 850-Seven Two Three-2072.

That complex endorsement is surprisingly difficult to earn in a C180 on wheels.


I did what Jon is offering, except with another instructor from BCP, who is actually in the Springs area. His username is mountainmatt on here. I found it to be a very rewarding experience and a trip I will always remember. Would recommend this method, with a good instructor like Jon or Matt. There were many ups and downs. Literally, quite a few bounces.

I am also at KFLY, would love to help you out but am not insured to instruct in my 108-2. Your insurer will probably dictate you need a certain number of hours in the 180 and a checkout from an instructor with 180 time before they will cover you solo. Might make sense to travel somewhere to get your endorsement in a 180 that way you kill two birds with one stone. Hit me up when you get the bird here, good to have some more BCPs in the area. -Casey

Austin Roble based out of greeley is a great 180/185 instructor. He spends much of his summer flying for Rangle Mountain air in AK during the summer. Great guy and very experienced in the 180/185's. Let me know if you want his number.

Might check theses guys out: tacaero.com They do a lot of tail wheel training. Located in Hood River, OR, so it's not in CO, but they are very good.

PM sent.

Matt