I just bought a Brantly (N2252U) and thought I would introduce myself. I've been a fixed wing pilot since '81. Personal and pleasure only (~1000 hours total time) - I do not fly professionally. I live in the DFW metroplex, not far from Steve Chenoweth. In fact I've met Steve - a few months ago when he flew his Enstrom to our airpark where I live.
I began helicopter lessons last month at Longhorn Helicopters in Denton, TX - renting their Schweizers - while I was also looking for a helicopter to buy. I've accumulated 17 hours in the Schweizers, but my Brantly should be ready for me by the end of this week (it was out of annual and I had to have a transponder with Mode-C installed, so it has been in the shop for the last couple of weeks).
As soon as I get the call that it is ready I will be taking dual instruction with Gary Jones near Wichita Falls, TX.
I bought the same helicopter tow bar that Fred Fandler, my neighbor, mentioned in another post on this site - $395. It is here waiting on something to tow ....
Thanks to this site I discovered Wings Insurance and Joel Heining (see Insurance link in the frame on the left under the Resources category). I insured my Brantly for $50K and as a student the first year premium is $6605.
Ron, I've read a lot of your posts, visited your web site, and viewed several of your photo travel logs. Thanks for sharing with us, and Thanks for all your other contributions to the site.
Steve, thanks for creating this site. I've visited it often of the last few months and read many of the posts, even older posts. It has been very helpful.
Paul
