General Aviation VS Airlines

[Fozzer]

As soon as I get my PPL, i'm buying an airplane. Screw paying $20,000 for a new car, especially when I can buy a cheap used C-172 for less 8)

Hi Andrew...!
In your wildest dreams... ::)...!
This would be more likely...>>



...or you could move to this two-seater for a bit more money...>>



but as for one of these...doubtful...!



...and one of these for the bush...never...>>



LOL...!

At my local airfield all the GA, PPL flyers turn up in their bent and battered, 20 year old cars, wearing torn and faded jeans, shoes worn down at the heels, moth-holed jumpers, and ferreting around in their pockets in the hope of finding a coin which may entitle them to a cup of coffee in the FBO... ...!
...that is the price of owning and running a flippin' aeroplane.... ...!
Even having a share in one is a constant money drainer, without even flying... ...!

I read all these horror stories in my monthly copies of the various Pilot Magazines.

A small microlight/ultralight is about the only way of starting off reasonably cheaply... ....!
(That's what I fly in the flight simulator, it's more like "real life"..the rest is dreamland...)....LOL...!

Cheers Andrew... ...!

Paul.

[IcedFoxtrotter]

No he's right. The C-152's at my old flight school weren't worth much. We had 5 of them, 2 were worth under 17K and the other 3 were right at about 19.5K. Those were fun to fly, and the school didn't care what you did with them and weren't too concerned about us crashing them ( they probably wish we would so they can collect instead.).

[Saitek]

If your going to be on a fantastic wage Andrew I don't think it is a problem. But for the general person, I would say stick to a car. Up to u though. My Dad always told me though: 'You get what you pay for'.
I think that is true. $20 000 for an old plane sounds like buying an e-machines computer.
Regards,
  Ben

[Craig.]

paying the cost of the plane might be cheap. Remember though, the cost of keeping it. Between, Insurance, fuel, a hanger or at least a tie down spot. Constant checks and fixes, landing fees. and it goes on As a few people know i am looking into a couple of options as far as owning a private plane in the future to make some money. A business jet, while not a little cessna, can cost almost 5% of its retail value too run a year, thats roughly $1.5 million on some planes. Look at maybe asking your flight school for yearly costs to get an idea.

[Saitek]

True Craig, but if u buy an old plane, I'd say you would be asking for a massive repair bill before long. Surely planes are like cars. Once they get too old they become more and more troublesome, until they are not worth doing up any more.

Who knows, perhaps Andrew is on a flying wage before we know it!

Regards,
   Ben

[IcedFoxtrotter]

150's are dirt cheap to repair, I've seen the bills.

[Saitek]

Oh really. I am showing off my sheer ignorance!
I've never even been on a real plane yet, an even more embarising confession!

[IcedFoxtrotter]

Well come out here to Montana next summer, I'll take you for your first ride.

Parts for 150's are so plentiful, and they are easy to repair too. If you take care of it and do all the things that are listed itn the FAR/AIM under "Preventitive Maintenance" yourself, it can be a somewhat cost effective airplane.

[Craig.]

its not about the cost of repairs sometimes. it can also be the frequency of the repairs. sometimes you can save money by spending money:)

[Meinas]

GUYS GUYS GUYS, why didnt you think about this?


Some people buy an aircraft and rent it out to a FBO, FBO takes care of the plane's maintenence, pretty sure the same with insurance.  The owner (you) use the money made off of renting out the plane to the FBO, towards aircraft payments.  Much like letting someone pimp yo woman

[IcedFoxtrotter]

Not a good idea Menias. if you care to know why I will IM you.

[BFMF]

There's a local paper with different aircrafts for sale, and I happened to spott a Cessna 172 for about $14k. I have no idea what condition it was in, nor do I remember all the equipment on it.

The local FBO/aircraft rental/small flightschool where i'm taking flying lessons has a cessna 172 that's rented from a private party. I've only flown it once or twice, but it's kept in tip-top shape

[IcedFoxtrotter]

Th place that I am going to rent 172's from this summer by Flathead are the same way.

[Felix/FFDS]

[quote]GUYS GUYS GUYS, why didnt you think about this?


Some people buy an aircraft and rent it out to a FBO, FBO takes care of the plane's maintenence, pretty sure the same with insurance.

[IcedFoxtrotter]

All right I will try to put it vagely, lest I piss anyone off here that runs/works a flight school. #1) I have had Aviation law courses and there are many ways that the flight school can, and often do, screw the owner over. #2) Think of this, when you get a rental car, how do you treat it? Are you nice to it or do you even care if you stomp on the gas and strain the engine? Ihave had several aircraft mechanics courses as well; I have seen the comparison between planes of the same age with the same hours, owned by private and FBO owners. Student pilots+your plane=not good for your sense of well being (mentaly and phsicaly), your checkbook since the owner often has hidden responsibilites, and mechanicaly for your aircraft, belive me.

A very good book on this subject is "Practical Aviation Law" by J.Scott Hamilton. Easy to read, 250 Pgs., facinating, and teaches you how to deal with all aspects of aviation law. Including arcraft rental and dealing with the FAA when you are in hot water. Every pilot should own it.