Category Archives: affordable flying

Cost to Own

Posted on by

How much does it Cost to Own an aircraft?

This YouTube video covers a few basic things to think about when figuring the ownership costs of an aircraft.

When buying or owning an aircraft I think its important to understand where the money goes.  There are numerous variables that can effect the operation costs of an aircraft. The purchase price is not always the most important.  Often times the operational expenses are what keep owners grounded.

For example, you can often buy an old light twin for the same price as a single engine. But the operational costs are going to be four times as much or more, even if the purchase price was the same.

If you do some preliminary calculations, you can establish a budget and setup guidelines for what type of aircraft is within your financial capabilities.

Check out the video. And if you want a copy of a cost spreadsheet. Send me an email and I’ll send you a copy.

 

 

Can I commute with an airplane?

Posted on by

Commute with a plane?

Q. Can I commute with an airplane?  I have always wanted to get my private pilot’s license. I was offered a new job, but it is two hours away from my house. I was thinking of getting a license so I can fly instead of drive.  Am I being unrealistic? I know I would need to have a backup plan for driving for when the weather is unfavorable and a place to stay near my new job. But the idea sounds like more fun then setting in traffic.

A. It can actually be a great idea, although it might not save you as much time as you think. I have a few customers that do exactly what you are talking about and they really like the arrangement. Problem is, it often takes more time to get the plane out, fly and put it away than it would to drive the distance.

Also, to  make it a success you will probably need to get instrument rating.  There will be some days that there is just enough weather to keep you on the ground when you could still be flying.

But really, even if it takes longer, I cannot think of a better commute!

commute

2017 SUN ‘n FUN Numbers

Posted on by
2017 SUN ‘n FUN Numbers
The 43rd Annual SUN ‘n FUN International Fly-In & Expo presented by VISIT FLORIDA and the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association took place April 4 –9, 2017 in Lakeland, Florida. SnF17 was the best fly-in SUN ‘n FUN has ever had. We are pleased to release the following data and fun facts:
•                    Approximately 200,000 guests attended from over 60 countries
•                    Brazil, Canada and United Kingdom once again had the highest amount of visitors
•                    SUN ‘n FUN ordered over 400 Portalets, 18 light towers, 415 golf carts, and 120 tents
•                    More than 4,000 rolls of toilet paper were used during the week
•                    SUN ‘n FUN distributed 90,000 bottles of water and approximately 19,000 sandwiches to volunteers
•                    More than 3,000 volunteers helped during the 6-day event
•                    HAM Radio worked 39 States, 12 Countries, Canada, Italy, Norway, Estonia are some of them and had a total of 742 worldwide contacts for the 6 days.
•                    38 Student tours were conducted with 969 students
•                    Approximately 400 people attended educational workshops
•                    500 Students attended the Blue Angels Symposium
•                    10,000 Visitors toured the Piedmont Aerospace Experience, the only working Boeing 727 Classroom on a high school campus
•                    7 speakers in the Museum that travelled Mach 3  (3 times the speed of sound) in the iconic SR-71 Blackbird
•                    130 Career Minded individuals from 48 states and 3 countries attended our 4th Annual Career Fair with 14 exhibitors
•                    One astronaut, Senator Bill Nelson, spoke to educators during the Aerospace Educators Workshop
•                    First ever UAV Demonstration during an Air Show
•                    500 People participated in the inaugural Drone Zone
•                    443 media representatives attended from 16 countries
•                    5,988 people attended 331 forums
•                    3,228 People attended 56 workshops
•                    over 9,000 aircraft movements took place
•                    510 Exhibitors participated in the event
SUN ‘n FUN Radio stats:
·         Total connections: 21,882 (up 0.5% over 2016)
Total unique listeners: 8,431 (up 0.35% over 2016)
·         More than 44 hours were live broadcasted over the 6 days
·         Approximately 120 Live interviews and 120 field interviews were conducted
Social Media stats:
•                    Total Reach (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) = over 2.5 million
•                    Total Impressions = almost 10 million
•                    Engagement Rate = over 500,000 on Facebook
•                    Surpassed 80,000 Facebook followers
•                    Fielded more than 500 direct messages for customer service – and responded to 99% of them in fewer than 20 minutes
Florida Aviation Network stats:
·         82 Volunteers were on the crew and worked throughout the week of SUN ‘n FUN 2017 .
·         Broadcasted 45 interviews from our set at the Florida Aviation Museum and shot numerous reports from the field.
Jackie Jenkins
Communications Coordinator