Realistic Range of Flight

[wxwatcher]

Since most of you are talking about BFI, next time you have a few minutes to spare, wander over to the NE corner of the field and ask for a tour of the FAA's Automated Flight Service Station. They are in the process of testing the latest/greatest (?) computer update for the FSS's nationwide. You'll get a chance to see what the new system can do for you.

Enjoy.. :-)

Jerry

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Comments and opinions are my own and do not reflect those of my employer.

[sideslip]

Birdman: Some expenses are dependent on where you are located. Insurance depends on the plane and your experience/record. Annuals will depend on fixup items. Tiedown/hanger rent is highly variable depending on location. I live in rural Wisconsin and things tend to be very inexpensive here compared to other places.

Here are some typical values at my local airport. Tiedown $10/month. Hanger rent $80-$100/month. C152 annual $500-$600 if no additional work needed. I'm sure you California and east coast pilots are now in shock. It would be best to ask locally what things cost.

I would recommend that you rent until you get your ticket. That way you can concentrate your resources on flying and not on maintaining a plane. If you are short on money one month, you just don't fly as much. If you own, it will still be costing money for the plane to just sit. After you get your ticket and do some flying you will get an idea of what type of flying you do and what type of plane is best to own.

Good luck.

Mike S.

[Birdman of Ballard]

Sideslip,

Those prices look pretty good. Things are indeed considerably more expensive around here (I'm still looking into details, but I know you can't get a hangar for that price). I'm definitely not going to buy until after I finish my training. After that, we'll see.

[dverespey]

Sideslip, Calif and East Coast pilots are already in shock so no need to worry.

Birdman, I would agree with Sideslip on the pocketbook issue. Renting is the way to go if finnances are a key. Yet, there is nothing like picking up your first airplane and taking it back to the airport knowing it's all yours( Well you and your banker ). Planes are never practical. IMHO

[skid]

Around Kansas City hangars go for $150 to 300 per month, but an hour away where I live I have an new hangar with bifold door for $50 at a nice 4000 ft concrete attended airport. At a fair 3500 ft grass strip, I have an older hangar with sliding doors for $25 month. Here's the good part; There are only 2 airplanes at the grass strip, out of 12 spaces. The other airplane is from Oregon and the guy stops in once and a while and flys it, puts it away and goes on to the east coast. Just wants a cheap place to store his PA 12. I guess there is an occaisional perk for living out here in the sticks.

Not to beat a dead horse, but I have a Turbo Arrow IV. I've flown from Baltimore to Chicago in one hop with a 60 knot headwind and had enough reserve fuel. But my bladder didn't fair so well. Now I'll opt for an intermediate landing and a refuel over the one hop method.

[Sappie]

Ahhhh so cheap!!! to get hold of and old C150 here, i will have to morgage my house!, and sell my cars(s) just to cover the 100 hourly!

The cheapest c150 here was about $150,000. and the 100 hourly overhaul is about $8000, not including parts. not to mention fuel at $1.10 per litre!

I love CASA (our ozzie version of the FAA)


wonder why our ultralight and sport aircraft industry are 150% bigger than the GA sector. hmmmmm (self regulating, no government involved in costs and running)