... Age is not a problem I learnt to fly at 67 ...
Sweet
I just turned 58, have yet to do my check ride
Thanks for the mondo dose of good mojo
What is the best way to learn to fly?
How hard is it to transition between aircraft.
Take lessons
A CFI (certified flight instructor) should be able to offer training in any certificated aircraft, even your own. If they will is another story, most will though. The exception is training in an experimental aircraft. When you start training, you (or your instructor) will pick a plane. 172, 150, PA-28, ... And for the remainder of your training you will be flying the same model. It may be a different plane, maybe, but will be the same model. You
can switch from a PA-28 to a Skyhawk, but additional 'familiarization' hours will be required. Piper handles differently than a Cessna, and a 152 is different than a 172.
Transition is generally painless, elevators still elevate, throttle still produces power. Differences may include location of the controls, stall/landing speeds, how the controls behave (eg: power vs manual steering, hi-cube V8 vs Yugo, etc.). Performance characteristics are listed in the POH (pilot owners manual, all planes have them), so is the operation of the controls. It's best a person gets a little stick time with an instructor (CFI or your pilot pal Ralph) before flying a new-to-you plane.
You may be able to save some bux by owning your own training plane, but ownership presents it's own problems as you've noted (hanger rental, if you decide one is needed). Of note is insurance (big $ for a new pilot), annual maintenance, and you'll still have the $30-?? bux your instructor(s) charge per hour for their time. And if you need to take a break from your flight training for skool, jay-oh-bee, family, ... the monthly/yearly costs for your 'trainer' keep adding up and need to be paid.
Head down to the FBO at your airport, grab a chair and watch the planes. When you get bored of that, head inside and talk to someone. Bring up the weather, mention flight school, how many instructors... Next day pick a different airport. Might run across a flight school that offers rentals at a discount if you buy blocks of time. Might even run across a canard owner with time to ratchet-jaw. Tip: look for two fins in a hanger
Sorry if I'm patronizing.
Rick