From: hchong@netcom.com (Hoi Chong)
Newsgroups: rec.aviation.student
Subject: Re: How much to rent?
Date: 17 Oct 92 02:47:25 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  (408 241-9760 guest)

From article <1bn7pkINNp13@usenet.INS.CWRU.Edu>, by radack@ces.cwru.edu (Gerald Radack):
> In article <Bw67tL.FE1@well.sf.ca.us> mharper@well.sf.ca.us (Michael J. Harper) writes:
>>The in-laws have moved to the extreme edge of my willingness to drive for
>>a weekend.  Since they have an airstrip nearby, I thought I'd learn how to
>>fly so I could shuttle my family down there without wasting so much driving
>>time.  I already have some good information on how to go about getting a
>>pilot's license.  What I don't know is an average rental cost for a 
>>suitable plane for the weekend.  Can anyone give me some figures?
> 
> Airplane rental charges are based on the time the plane is operating, not
> a daily charge as is customary for rental cars. However, many rental operations
> do have a minimum number of hours that must be charged per day (generally
> in the range of 2 to 4 hours). The charge for the plane could be anywhere
> from $20 to many hundreds of dollars an hour, depending on what model plane
> you get, what kinds of instruments it has, the geographic area, whether you are
> at a major airport, etc.
> 
> To fly your family, you will need at least a Private Pilot license, which will
> cost you probably at least $3000 to $5000 to obtain. To be able to use the
> airplane as a semi-reliable form of transportation, you will also need an
> instrument rating, which will cost you another $3000+. (If you are not instru-
> ment rated, you can't fly in clouds or conditions of low visibility.)
> 
> When figuring the time savings, be sure to take into account time to:
>   * drive to the airport
>   * get a weather briefing
>   * plan the flight
>   * file a flight plan
>   * preflight the plane
>   * take-off, fly to the destination and land
>   * close your flight plan
>   * refuel (sometimes done for you)
>   * tie down the plane (ditto)
>   * pay bills
>   * get from the airport to your destination
> 
> I don't mean to sound too negative, but I want to make sure you know what
> you are getting into. If you like airplanes and flying, then by all means
> go for it. But if you are just doing it for transportation, you might want
> to reconsider. Many airplane rental outfits (FBOs) and clubs offer an
> introductory flight for a low price that will help you decide if you want
> to learn to fly.

Don't mean to be negative, but, in addition, learning to fly is not
like learning to drive a car (as I found out).  You cannot park the 
plane in midair to think what to do next, or check the engine, etc.
Besides, you have to keep track of many items at the same time, especially
during landing, quite a task (or many tasks).  

If I were going to learn to fly just so I can fly back home on the weekend,
I would have quit weeks ago.  But since then I have been really enjoying
the flight itself and that kept me going.  But then again, if you 
were to fly (learn) 3 hours and quit, you still get quite an experience.

Do it!  But be prepared.

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Got my 2nd solo and ready to go, go, go!  

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Newsgroups: rec.aviation.student