I couldn't agree more, Jim. What a person is looking for in a plane varies as much as people themselves do. My Cessna 172 dosn't offer much of a stick and rudder "flying experience" and is sadly lacking on anything resembling performance but it does reliably take me across the country, fly IMC and carry camping gear for two. I also know that if it breaks down in say Montana or one of those other states with so few people that they actually chart the class G, the the lone mechanic of that region can get parts and will know how to fix it. It's also cheap to maintain and insure. It takes me to SNF and OSH very year. I also serves as our flight school fly-in support aircraft in that I can fit 2 flag poles, an 8'x8' pop-up tent, two chairs, a table, a bag of brochures and a (small) helper all in the plane at once. It recognized in Canada, a country I hope to fly and explore one day. In other words, it serves my purpose.
You know, I'm a station wagon kinda girl. I recently had to replace my Forenza wagon and was quite dismayed at the lack of new wagons on the market today. One of the most disturbing shopping trips I made was to a (not very good) Subaru dealer. When I walked in I noticed that they had now turned their Outback wagon into an SUV truck. I asked the dealer, "Don't you sell wagons any more?" He responded, "Nobody wants wagons any more." To which I replied, "Thank you for calling me a 'nobody,'" and walked out.
Each person is looking for a different thing in a plane just like in a car. One thing or another may be in style now or may be a going trend but it certainly doesn't meets the needs of all. You just have to find something that works for you.
Helen
On 4/20/2012 2:41 PM, Jim Bair wrote:
You're going to bring in "the flying experience..."? LOL. OK, I owned a 1946 Taylorcraft BC-12D. Simple cheap to operate stick and rudder airplane that is SP legal I believe. Actually takes some skill to fly well compared to the really easy to fly easy to navigate (unless you turn off the glass gadgetry,and I know few SPs who actually do that.) LSA's that go for 6 times the cost. Or for about 2/3 the cost of a new LSA, you could fly a Super Decathlon. 180HP and full inverted acro capable. That's what I have, because I do care about the flying experience. Everyone's taste is not the same. As we have already pointed out, some people don't care to fly at night, above 10,000', in Class A airspace, etc.,and they enjoy cruising along following the pink line on the panel and pushing buttons. For them, a $100k LSA is the perfect machine and I think they should go buy one. For those on a budget (me, for example) who want more "flying experience" for less money, I choose a different style of airplane that provides me with the flying experience I prefer. Tastes vary. I acknowledge that people seem to prefer glass over serious stick and rudder skill sort of airplanes. That's fine. As I said, tastes vary.JimFrom: pwrsport@ix.netcom.comSent: Friday, April 20, 2012 12:41 PMSubject: Re: Light-Sport Aircraft Yahoo group LSA for rent without renters, or renters... [4 Attachments]
I'll get some numbers. Scheduled maintenance requirements in a training environment the same, GA - SLSA. Cost to keep them in the air, not necessarily the same. Otherwise if one cares nothing about the flying experience, may as well have 1950 150. Or a 1950 Plymouth to drive. Some pictures to illustrate.
Ed
-----Original Message-----
From: James Bair
Sent: Apr 20, 2012 5:55 AM
To: Sport_Aircraft@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: Light-Sport Aircraft Yahoo group LSA for rent without renters, or renters...
What maintenance are you referring to that doesn't exist on an LSA? Yes, I love my Rotax 912, and I love the fuel burn. But for the extra $100,000 I can buy a lot of gas. And some maintenance, too.JimFrom: pwrsport@ix.netcom.comSent: Friday, April 20, 2012 2:56 AMSubject: Re: Light-Sport Aircraft Yahoo group LSA for rent without renters, or renters...
You made me LOL. If that is the direction one wants to go, PPL or higher, then finding a beater 150 or the likes, get you license and dump it at the end for what you have in it before the maintenance eats you alive. Possibly even better if a couple of people are at it at the smae time.
Ed
-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Bair
Sent: Apr 19, 2012 2:32 PM
To: Sport_Aircraft@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: Light-Sport Aircraft Yahoo group LSA for rent without renters, or renters...
Sounds like SP is perfect for you. But it wouldn't meet my son's needs. He wants to go on to get a Commercial. So you both have what you want. Perfect! And you don't even have to fly a C-150 flying contraption. LOL.JimFrom: pwrsport@ix.netcom.comSent: Thursday, April 19, 2012 4:07 PMSubject: Re: Light-Sport Aircraft Yahoo group LSA for rent without renters, or renters...
Sounds like an over simplification to me. A 20k 150 can become maintenance nightmare especially in a training environment. I don't believe I would even get in a 20K 150 flying contraption? Then the additional inspections required, training insurance etc. Not for this guy. Five additional hours for a PP I believe is another oversimplification. The flight time will be way in excess of that based on all national averages to cover all the additional training requirements. Sport pilots can fly anywhere they want in the national airspace, just not at night. Works for me.
Ed
-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Bair
Sent: Apr 19, 2012 9:51 AM
To: Sport_Aircraft@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: Light-Sport Aircraft Yahoo group LSA for rent without renters, or renters...
My son bought an IFR equipped 150 for under $20k. He plans on getting an instrument rating in it and instructing in it. There is no way he could have paid 80 and up for a plane. ROI, yes, much better.The license itself... I totally recommend to students that if they can get a medical, they are much better off with a PP over a SP if they have any idea of eventually upgrading. Way more options on where and what they can fly. I have had guys come back to me later wanting to upgrade to PP so they can fly at night, or fly a C-172 and haul 4 people, etc. I always tell people that if they are absolutely sure that they will be happy flying within the limits of SP that it is a good way to go, but if they think they might want more in the future, they will have to study again for another written, more dual, and pay for another checkride. There is only 5 more hours of dual time required for a PP anyway. Don't get me wrong, it is a real license, it just has limitations. If you don't mind those limitations, then no problem.I really haven't been following the used LSA market. I'm sure some are out there now. What are they bringing on the used market?JimFrom: ron_d_hillSent: Wednesday, April 18, 2012 5:18 PMSubject: Re: Light-Sport Aircraft Yahoo group LSA for rent without renters, or renters...Well, one simple thing is a 150 can be bought for 20k and the current crop of LSA's are 80-100k.
If I were looking to buy an aircraft and get ROI.... ROI is going to be better on the Cessna 150.
Another issue with sport pilot is it is not seen as a 'real' license. The CFI's don't see it that way, the industry does not see it that way, the FAA sorta does not see it that way, and most pilots do not see it that way.
__._,_.___
No comments:
Post a Comment