Texan

Many military (jet) pilots first solo in retractable turbine aircraft and have all their time in retracts, so it's all relative. If you are realistic with yourself and your skills (and have an instructor who is sage and honest okaying the idea), and are willing to pay a little extra from insurance early on, then you should consider starting in a retract. Just consider checklists as obligatory as breathing. It has been said that your ability to get into trouble/lost flying is proportionate to the square of the speed; insofar as this is concerned, retract airfraft may be more dangerous, but this is not because of the retract switch. Respect your limitations, weather, and passengers and you won't have any more trouble than the rest of us.

Congrats as well. Just a little unsolicited medical/"medical" advise from this physician: 1) Stay healthy (duh) 2) Always be wary of a physician ordering a test you really don't need (e.g. cardiac stress tests "just to check things out") 3) Should you find yourself diagnosed with a new medical condition, research the medical certificate implications before going to your AME 4) FAA medical regs and procedures are essentially unflexible, though arguably a lot more accomodating than in years past. This said, the majority of the "hassle" pilots face getting their medical back is not per se FAA bureacracy, but rather AME unfamiliarity with the FAA standards. If your AME does 99% of his aeromedical work on 19 year-olds looking to get a 3rd class, this same AME is not likely up to speed on the procedure to clear you to fly after receiving cardiac stents. The medical regs are relatively cookbook; your AME should be able to explain to you the exact medical hoops and timeframes involved in getting your license back. If not, find another AME who can. 5) By all means, if you 'know' that you will be turned down for a 3rd class, don't re-apply for one. Keep your LSA options open while you work on satisfying the descrepancy under the guidance of an experienced AME. There is essentially no hope on the radar screen to allow pilots who have a failed a 3rd class to ever obtain a LSA certificate (rather, if anything, there is more hope that the 3rd class medical would be abolished). I don't mean to promote the business of "pro" AMEs, but frankly, if you have a problem, you are better off seeking one out rather than having an unseasoned AME work your case with OKC.

Quote: triple8s Do we really want these government bureaucrats in charge of our healthcare???????

Quote: Buster1 The F-16 burns about 40,000+ Lbs of fuel per hour in full Burner. I think that's about 6666 gallons per hour or 111 gal per minute if I did the math right. We're not in burner too long or the sortie is over pretty darn quick.