gmm@bunker.UUCP (Gregory M. Mandas) (08/30/84)
[] I am flat broke ($), a licensed pilot, and need to fly. I am interested in any suggestions on how to get back into the air. (I was a member of a closely held club; myself, my wife, her father and mother. We sold the Cherokee after spending a few life savings on it.) Are clubs OK? I have mixed emotions about Ultra-lights. I could afford one, but don't know if I want one. Is there a plane I could buy that would not break my bank? Could I join the Air (or Army) National Guard? Could I bum a ride with anyone out there? Broke and grounded Greg Mandas ittvax!bunker!gmm
wanttaja@ssc-vax.UUCP (Ronald J Wanttaja) (09/04/84)
> I am flat broke ($), a licensed pilot, and need to fly. > I have mixed emotions about Ultra-lights. I could afford one, but don't > know if I want one. > Is there a plane I could buy that would not break my bank? Aw, come on. If you can afford an ultralight, there is any number of good used airplanes you can pick up for the same money. New ultralights (from what I've heard, you're better off buying a used snake than a used ultralight) cost around $6000-$9000. I just bought a 1965 Cessna 150 with a nearly new interior and paint for $6000. The engine is rather high time (400 hrs to recommended overhaul) but it will take a long time to reach the overhaul point, which, after all, is a RECOMMENDED value- with good compression, etc, it will last a long time. My gas cost last month was $120- and that was avgas, I've got the autofuel STC but haven't worked out an easy way to get car gas into it. $120 for 15 hours of flying...that's not too bad. Admittedly, I pay a bit more per month than I would an ultralight... tiedown, etc. Insurance would be your option, but personally, I would not like to own any flying machine worth $6000 without having some insurance on it. My maintenance costs are negligible... I have an A&P buddy who owns a single-seat homebuilt, but likes to take his daughter flying. We've worked out a trade. Ultralight Vs. 150 is an interesting trade- low hourly cost vs 100 Mph cruise, low maintenance vs the ability to take a friend, etc. Take a look in trade-a-plane, you'll see a lot of 150s at prices from $4000 up. Get a partner (or two) and both your buy-in cost and monthly costs will be pretty low. Ron Wanttaja (ssc-vax!wanttaja)
TCS@USC-ECL.ARPA (09/07/84)
From: Terry C. Savage <TCS@USC-ECL.ARPA>
RE:Low cost flying
For anyone in the LA area who is interested, I am putting together
a partnership to buy a used plane, probably a Cessna 172, but that's
not yet firm. I'm looking at an individual buy in of under $1K. The
plane will be based at either Torrance or Hawthorne.
If anyone is interested, please give me a call at
213-536-4003 during the day, leave a message at 213-374-1381 anytime,
or send a message on-line here.
Terry Savage
-------adm@cbneb.UUCP (09/13/84)
Re: Fly cheap. After 13 years of very intermittent flying due to budget crunch, I have decided to eliminate the middle man. The primary cost of ownership (in my biased opinion) is the maintenance cost. I.E. annuals etc. So-o-o- I'm building one. Type and cost can vary to suit desired flying habits. (Often & cheap) Planned investment for me is ceiling of $8k. As builder, you can do all your own maintenance, annuals, etc. and you need not use approved (read expensive) aviation parts such as engine, lights et. all. My choice has folding wings which permit easy ?? trailering to eliminate hanger or tie-down rental. For further info contact nearest EAA chapter. ---(x)--- Tom Lester via ihnp4!cbnap