I recently got my commercial multi license. I want to get my commercial single next. Is there any limit as far as to choosing a plane to do comm. single in? Does it have to be a complex / high performance airplane? I'm looking at training in a Diamond DA20 Eclipse just because I've flown it before, and it's cheaper.

two routes:

1) find the cheapest aircraft you can find (this is both the cheaper option and also the easiest because a cheap aircraft is often an underpowered aircraft which is often the easiest to fly commercial maneuvers).

2) do it in the aircraft that you are planning to use for your CFI, this will drastically cut down on the amount of time and money you spend on your CFI

Do you already have a multi comm? If so you've already demonstrated you are capable of flying a complex aircraft. No problem doing the S/E add-on in a primary trainer if you've done this.

NoCorrectamundo! From the Commercial PTS:

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Of course, that means you'll have to change your data ... again.

Seriously, it's a class add-on (look it up in FAR 61); very easy to do.

No reason you can't use the DA-20-C1 for the add-on, just beware its glide ratio for the power-off 180...

C'mon, guy, look at his handle. If he can handle a 180 auto, I'm SURE he can handle a Diamond ...

Well, maybe I assume too much ... Longbow, you've flown helicopters, right?

I did my commercial single in a Cessna 152 as well as my CFI ride. Pretty intense when you pull up into a chandelle and gain 150 feet.

Absolutely, positively fly the cheapest plane you can get your hands on. Heck, do it in a J3 cub if possible if you can find one. And do your commercial from the right seat since your CFI ride will be the exact same thing with the exception of you talking through the maneuvers as you do them.

Never flown a helicopter, I used to be a Apache crew chief in the Army.

OOOOOPS!! Sorry. Okay. Then make sure you watch the glide ratio for the power-off 180 in the DA-20-C1.

Where'd I hear that before?

ILS37R:


Oh ... yeah

There's almost no difference between a normal approach to land and a power-off 180 in a DA20. I didn't do them with my students until we got in the Arrow because it just isn't challenging if they've been trained to fly in a Diamond.