Re: Light-Sport Aircraft Yahoo group the Blame Game

I often hear the argument that SP did not make flying cheaper because the planes cost over $100K. People seem to be upset with the fact that aircraft cost over $100K and therefore, SP failed to deliver. First, if the dollar and euro were at the same 2004 levels, there would be many aircraft under $100K. To simply look at the dollar as the valuation mark is short sighted. Many of these LSAs listed in Euro are less than $100K.

SP actually has made it a lot cheaper to fly. The numbers are actually about 50-60% cheaper. The average private pilot license cost $8,000 to $12,000. Our school can produce pilots between $3,500 and $5,000. So the person that couldn't afford a $12,000 license can now get a license for under $5,000. I would say that is a huge savings. That person can now rent an airplane. At a $7,000 savings on the license and an average rental rate across the country of $100/hour, that is 70 additional hours of flying (which is a lot for the average pilot in a year). Now if you own the aircraft, you need to think about insurance, storage, maintenance, etc... on a $60,000 aircraft that could be another $5K-$7K a year. So, that is renting a plane for 50-70 hours a year. I would say that SP has made flying a lot cheaper.

I don't think the advertisement was "Sport Pilot Rule will make owning an aircraft cheaper for all." I think the advertisemetn was "Sport Pilot Rule will make flying more affordable." At 50-60% less cost to fly, I would say it did that.

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