General Aviation VS Airlines

[RitterKreuz]

When it comes to traveling I am glad I have the general aviation option!

My dad and I recently returned from a trip to Panama City, Florida here is how it compares to airline travel.

General Aviation:

1. We drove to our home airport, an uncontrolled field in East Texas which took about 20 minutes.

2. The wait at the airport was about 15 minutes, as we loaded baggage and completed the preflight inspection. (Flight planning and weather data was completed at home the night before)

3. We departed at 2:00 pm on Friday and climbed to 9,500 feet where we leaned the mixture to economy cruise and spend 4 hours and 30 minutes en route, landing with about 40 minutes reserve fuel.

4. We ordered our fuel from Sowel Aviation at the front desk and paid 2.79 cents per gallon for 39 gallons of fuel, at a total of $108.81

5. We unloaded our baggage and waited about 15 minutes for a car.

6. We departed the next day at 2:00 PM and spent 4 hours and 6 minutes en route burning 41 gallons which cost about $112.00

7. After unloading our bags and pushing the plane into the hangar we had spent about 10 minutes on the ground securing the airplane.

Total air travel related expenses: $250.00 to $275.00
Total time spent on trip: 9 Hours and 16 Minutes

Airline Travel:

1. Drive to DFW 1 hour 20 minutes.

2. We would have to check into the airport for the departure flight about 1 or 2 hours early for security.

3. I selected a departure flight as close to the same time of day and with the same number of days notice as our original flight and the round trip airfare for two adults was $1290.00.

4. Assuming we depart DFW on time the trip will take 2 hours into Atlanta with a one hour layover and another hour into Panama City.

5. We would spend about 15 to 20 minutes in baggage claim (if it wasn

[IcedFoxtrotter]

Nice to see that I am not the only one who see's the light.

I love jumping in a small plane that I am flying and simply leaving and not having to worry about crowds and TSA's.

[Felix/FFDS]

Even departing from Houston, it's still a 5hr in-transit time (one way) - give or take, and for two persons, you're looking at under 1000.00 - barely.

So even with this route:
Houston - Atlanta - Panama City, still takes about 11-12 hours total travel time, $996

You're still $$$ ahead with the GA. ...

Then, factor in the aircraft cost factor, maintenance costs, per mile, other costs, .. . you may still be ahead, maybe by not as much, but if you factor in the satisfaction factor (the view is much better, etc.), you're still ahead ...


(Yes, I'm jealous!)

[RitterKreuz]

our annual inspection this year was about 1300 dollars, the only major thing we had done was an altimeter re-build. thats the only real maintenacne needs of the aircraft other than oil changes and occasionally replacing tires. unless something breaks knock on wood!

[Jared]

yup, it is amazing to see how much easier it is to do things on your own rather than paying someone else to do it...:-)

[Brett_Henderson]

If you're just doing the dollars (not accounting for convenience, satisfaction and fun you have with your own plane).. There's no possible way for individuals to travel more economically than any sort off mass-transit. It would be like believing you can drive cross-country cheaper than taking a bus.

Calculate the total, out of pocket expense for buying, insuring, maintaining (those $25,000/engine OH's do come around) and hangaring the plane. Calculate what it cost's having the initial investment to purchase the plane tied up and not earning any sort of interest, all day, every day.. (or the interest you're paying on the loan).

And yeah, I'm jealous (can't ya tell ?) Because the fun of owning your own plane is priceless. Once you've accepted that THAT's what you paid for.. the trips are indeed cheaper.. more convenient...

[Meinas]

I figure if I save up for a few years, I can buy a midget mustang, (if you dont know what it is, its in kitplanes for 4,995, I think), then I'd spend the next few years building it and saving for the instruments/engine...insurance.....ah nevermind, couldnt afford it........thats why I have evil plans to spend my money ^_^

[BFMF]

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

[RitterKreuz]

One month enclosed hangar rent...... $100.00
Sectional charts...........$30.75
IFR charts and approach plates ( Just in case)...... $12.00
80 gallons of 100 low lead............$240.00
1976 model AA5A Grumman Cheetah with moving map GPS, RNAV, 4 place intercom, new paint - glass and interior (im bragging) $65,000.00

Planning a flight that spans nearly half the united states in your living room the old fashioned way and proving to yourself that you have what it takes to get there and back without even the slighest snag..... Abso-freakin-lutely priceless!!!!!

[Smoke2much]

I know a man who will build be an aircraft at cost  Problem is I can't afford even cost

Oh well

[IcedFoxtrotter]

Amen Ritter, that is the way I feel when I plan cross countries. It may be expensive but the thrill is priceless. I don't mean this in a bad way, but I realy feel sorry for you guys here who will never get to experince the thrill of G.A. flying. Maybe you could find somewone in your area like me who does lots of flying and go ride with them (many of us would appricate the company anyway).

I cannot wait to go home to Montana this summer and go flying for "fun" (AKA, not connected with college program flying).

[BFMF]

Icedfoxtrotter, do you have your PPL?

[Meinas]

. Maybe you could find somewone in your area like me who does lots of flying and go ride with them (many of us would appricate the company anyway).

I cannot wait to go home this summer and go flying for "fun" (AKA, not connected with college program flying).

yes exactly

[IcedFoxtrotter]

Icedfoxtrotter, do you have your PPL?

Yes I have my PPL, I am working on my instument now and am finishing up Commercial ground in the next 5 weeks.

[Felix/FFDS]

Planning a flight that spans nearly half the united states in your living room the old fashioned way and proving to yourself that you have what it takes to get there and back without even the slighest snag..... Abso-freakin-lutely priceless!!!!!

You DO like to rub it in, eh?  Gloat away!