I may be relocating to Phoenix in the not so distant future so I'm looking
for airplane rental or flying club recommendations. I'm currently flying
Warriors, Archers and 172s but having a high performance or complex airplane
available would be a plus. Info on rental charges, airplane availability,
quality of the airplanes, airspace considerations and user friendliness of
the airport/FBO/club would all be appreciated.

If you happen to have non-aviation local knowledge of any areas or
neighborhoods of the city that are considered less favorable areas to reside
due to crime or other community issues please pass that along as well.

I have the benefit of working from a home office so I won't need to commute
on a daily basis and can look for housing, probably an apartment, near my
favorite airport.

TIA,

KB

"Bones" > wrote:
> I may be relocating to Phoenix in the not so distant future so I'm looking
> for airplane rental or flying club recommendations. I'm currently flying
> Warriors, Archers and 172s but having a high performance or complex airplane
> available would be a plus. Info on rental charges, airplane availability,
> quality of the airplanes, airspace considerations and user friendliness of
> the airport/FBO/club would all be appreciated.
>
> If you happen to have non-aviation local knowledge of any areas or
> neighborhoods of the city that are considered less favorable areas to reside
> due to crime or other community issues please pass that along as well.
>
> I have the benefit of working from a home office so I won't need to commute
> on a daily basis and can look for housing, probably an apartment, near my
> favorite airport.

http://www.aerobatics.com/

They have a collection of Pipers, a couple of 172s, a Bonanza, and are
one of the few places where you can rent tailwheel airplanes in this
area. The city of Chandler has some very nice areas and lots of new home
developments to the south. Chandler Airport (CHD) is one of 3 Class D
airports in close proximity in Phoenix's "East Valley", with
Williams-Gateway (IWA) and Falcon Field (FFZ) being the other two. The
town of Gilbert is located in the middle of the three airports. Falcon
has gotten very, very busy. Chandler is less busy, but is getting some
of the spillover from Falcon. The Class D airports to the northeast of
Phoenix -- Deer Valley and Scottsdale -- are busy beyond belief (IMO)
.... it's been my experience to sit on the taxiway for 20 minutes waiting
for takeoff clearance at Deer Valley, and our CFIs had said they were
denied clearance to enter Scottsdale's airspace. To the south, within
about 30 nm, there are some pretty nice, uncontrolled airports -- Casa
Grande (CGZ), Phoenix Regional (A39), Coolidge (P08). Marana (AVQ) and
Ryan (RYN), near Tucson (TUS), have good restaurants and are frequent
fly-to-breakfast/lunch places from East Valley locations.

All of the above is JMO (Gilbert resident, plane at Chandler).

Shirl

On Nov 27, 7:17 am, Shirl > wrote:
> "Bones" > wrote:
> > I may be relocating to Phoenix in the not so distant future so I'm looking
> > for airplane rental or flying club recommendations. I'm currently flying
> > Warriors, Archers and 172s but having a high performance or complex airplane
> > available would be a plus. Info on rental charges, airplane availability,
> > quality of the airplanes, airspace considerations and user friendliness of
> > the airport/FBO/club would all be appreciated.
>
> > If you happen to have non-aviation local knowledge of any areas or
> > neighborhoods of the city that are considered less favorable areas to reside
> > due to crime or other community issues please pass that along as well.
>
> > I have the benefit of working from a home office so I won't need to commute
> > on a daily basis and can look for housing, probably an apartment, near my
> > favorite airport.
>
> http://www.aerobatics.com/
>
> They have a collection of Pipers, a couple of 172s, a Bonanza, and are
> one of the few places where you can rent tailwheel airplanes in this
> area.

You might also consider Phoenix Flyers.

<http://www.phoenixflyers.org/>

Fairly small fleet, split between Chandler on the south side of the
Valley, and Deer Valley on the north. Nice planes when I was a
member, but that was 20 years ago.

Chandler is not nearly so busy as it was a few years ago. I don't
know how the other local airports are doing, but I've lived within two
miles of CHD for 14 years, and there's nowhere near the traffic in the
patterns on nice days as there was even a year or two ago. Restaurant
is busy as ever on the weekends, but mostly folks entering from the
parking lot rather than the ramp.

On 2007-11-26 20:18:30 -0800, "Bones" > said:

> I may be relocating to Phoenix in the not so distant future so I'm looking
> for airplane rental or flying club recommendations.

Phoenix is one of the most aviation-friendly cities in the country.
Check out Glendale Airport or Goodyear or Scottsdale. Deer Valley gets
a little crowded with aviation academies.

--
Waddling Eagle
World Famous Flight Instructor

On Nov 26, 9:18 pm, "Bones" > wrote:
> I may be relocating to Phoenix in the not so distant future so I'm looking
> for airplane rental or flying club recommendations. I'm currently flying
> Warriors, Archers and 172s but having a high performance or complex airplane
> available would be a plus. Info on rental charges, airplane availability,
> quality of the airplanes, airspace considerations and user friendliness of
> the airport/FBO/club would all be appreciated.
>
> If you happen to have non-aviation local knowledge of any areas or
> neighborhoods of the city that are considered less favorable areas to reside
> due to crime or other community issues please pass that along as well.
>
> I have the benefit of working from a home office so I won't need to commute
> on a daily basis and can look for housing, probably an apartment, near my
> favorite airport.
>
> TIA,
>
> KB

Phoenixflyers!

www.phoenixflyers.org

As a member, perhaps I am partial but I honestly believe we have the
best way to fly in the valley unless you want to own your own
aircraft, or go with a high-dollar fractional. We are truly non-
profit. All members buy-in with an equity share, currently $4500,
fully refundable when you leave. All fixed expenses are split via the
$100/month fixed fee. We have 4 aircraft - two Archers, a 182, and a
Comanche 260. Aircraft are rotated between CHD and DVT, with two kept
at each airport. All aircraft are equipped with a Garmin 430 or 530.
We just spent about $200k on the 182, which is a 1998 model. Wet,
tach, hourly costs are $72 for the Archers, $97 for the 182, and $113
for the Comanche.

See the website for more info.

--Dan

Dan schrieb:

> We just spent about $200k on the 182, which is a 1998 model.

Sorry for hijacking, but I have to ask: what has to be done on a not yet
10 year old airplane that cost 200k? Wouldn't it be more wise to buy
into a new (maybe jet/diesel) aircraft like a Diamond? I don't know the
details and you for sure made your homework before spending the 200k.

on topic: I flew out of CHD/Chandler and rented at Sunbird. They sold
their business, don't know if they are still around; IIRC they are a
Cessna-something training center.
I second the statements on location regarding CHD; you're below Class B,
quick out of all the big iron (to the South) but still close to all the
amenities, both in the air and on the ground.
Is the Satan freeway already done and close by CHD?

#m
--
I am not a terrorist <http://www.casualdisobedience.com/>

On Nov 28, 12:54 am, Martin Hotze > wrote:
> Dan schrieb:
>
> > We just spent about $200k on the 182, which is a 1998 model.
>
> Sorry for hijacking, but I have to ask: what has to be done on a not yet
> 10 year old airplane that cost 200k? Wouldn't it be more wise to buy
> into a new (maybe jet/diesel) aircraft like a Diamond? I don't know the
> details and you for sure made your homework before spending the 200k.
>
> on topic: I flew out of CHD/Chandler and rented at Sunbird. They sold
> their business, don't know if they are still around; IIRC they are a
> Cessna-something training center.
> I second the statements on location regarding CHD; you're below Class B,
> quick out of all the big iron (to the South) but still close to all the
> amenities, both in the air and on the ground.
> Is the Satan freeway already done and close by CHD?
>
> #m
> --
> I am not a terrorist <http://www.casualdisobedience.com/>

Martin,

We debated a _long_ time amongst the various members on what aircraft
to purchase. We did test out the Diamond, and consider a used Cirrus
or Columbia. The 182 had the most load carrying ability of all of
them. Also, some of the members had concerns about fitting in the
DA40 since the seat does not adjust. Baking in the AZ sun under the
capopy of the DA40 was also a consideration, as well as high altitude
performance.

We could not get insurance in a club situation for the Columbia at
all. For the Cirrus, useful load was a concern.

Although I would disagree, many were uncomfortable with the "diesel"
option since it is relatively new. Any other powerplant option
besides piston was way out of our club's budget and insurability.

The 182 seemed to be the best all-around choice when choosing a
slightly used aircraft to please 54 people while remaining under
$200k.

--Dan

On Wed, 28 Nov 2007 08:54:12 +0100, Martin Hotze >
wrote:

>Dan schrieb:
>
>> We just spent about $200k on the 182, which is a 1998 model.
>
>Sorry for hijacking, but I have to ask: what has to be done on a not yet
>10 year old airplane that cost 200k? Wouldn't it be more wise to buy
>into a new (maybe jet/diesel) aircraft like a Diamond? I don't know the
>details and you for sure made your homework before spending the 200k.

I don't think he meant it as "We spent 200K improving a 1998 Cessna
182" but "We spent $200K as the purchase price of a 1998 model year
Cessna 182."

On Nov 28, 1:12 pm, Peter Clark
> wrote:
> On Wed, 28 Nov 2007 08:54:12 +0100, Martin Hotze >
> wrote:
>
> >Dan schrieb:
>
> >> We just spent about $200k on the 182, which is a 1998 model.
>
> >Sorry for hijacking, but I have to ask: what has to be done on a not yet
> >10 year old airplane that cost 200k? Wouldn't it be more wise to buy
> >into a new (maybe jet/diesel) aircraft like a Diamond? I don't know the
> >details and you for sure made your homework before spending the 200k.
>
> I don't think he meant it as "We spent 200K improving a 1998 Cessna
> 182" but "We spent $200K as the purchase price of a 1998 model year
> Cessna 182."

Right.... We purchased it, and added a Garmin 530W for a total cost
around $200k...

$200k worth of upgrades would have been idiotic! :)

--Dan

Dan schrieb:

>>>> We just spent about $200k on the 182, which is a 1998 model.
>>> Sorry for hijacking, but I have to ask: what has to be done on a not yet
>>> 10 year old airplane that cost 200k? Wouldn't it be more wise to buy
>>> into a new (maybe jet/diesel) aircraft like a Diamond? I don't know the
>>> details and you for sure made your homework before spending the 200k.
>> I don't think he meant it as "We spent 200K improving a 1998 Cessna
>> 182" but "We spent $200K as the purchase price of a 1998 model year
>> Cessna 182."
>
> Right.... We purchased it, and added a Garmin 530W for a total cost
> around $200k...
>
> $200k worth of upgrades would have been idiotic! :)

I read the "spent on" as "spent on improvements/repair/...

So your point in your reply is fine for me. A C182 in this area is a
good plane. I personally flew one from CHD along the border/river to Las
Vegas, St. George, Page, Grand Canyon, Sedona and back to Chandler. It's
nice to have some power left at 10.000ft.

#m
--
I am not a terrorist <http://www.casualdisobedience.com/>

On Nov 29, 3:02 am, Martin Hotze > wrote:
> Dan schrieb:
>
> >>>> We just spent about $200k on the 182, which is a 1998 model.
> >>> Sorry for hijacking, but I have to ask: what has to be done on a not yet
> >>> 10 year old airplane that cost 200k? Wouldn't it be more wise to buy
> >>> into a new (maybe jet/diesel) aircraft like a Diamond? I don't know the
> >>> details and you for sure made your homework before spending the 200k.
> >> I don't think he meant it as "We spent 200K improving a 1998 Cessna
> >> 182" but "We spent $200K as the purchase price of a 1998 model year
> >> Cessna 182."
>
> > Right.... We purchased it, and added a Garmin 530W for a total cost
> > around $200k...
>
> > $200k worth of upgrades would have been idiotic! :)
>
> I read the "spent on" as "spent on improvements/repair/...
>
> So your point in your reply is fine for me. A C182 in this area is a
> good plane. I personally flew one from CHD along the border/river to Las
> Vegas, St. George, Page, Grand Canyon, Sedona and back to Chandler. It's
> nice to have some power left at 10.000ft.
>
> #m
> --
> I am not a terrorist <http://www.casualdisobedience.com/>

Martin.... I did that myself a couple weeks back. Monument Valley to
the Grand Canyon along the Colorado river is just an incredible
flight....

--Dan

Bones wrote:
> I may be relocating to Phoenix in the not so distant future so I'm looking
> for airplane rental or flying club recommendations. I'm currently flying
> Warriors, Archers and 172s but having a high performance or complex airplane
> available would be a plus. Info on rental charges, airplane availability,
> quality of the airplanes, airspace considerations and user friendliness of
> the airport/FBO/club would all be appreciated.


In the west valley, the choices are dwindling. Glendale Aviation recently
sold and stopped renting aircraft. At GEU, there's still Air Safety
Academy (http://www.airsafetyacademy.com/), which primarily focuses on
renting Cirrus aircraft, but they have some Cessnas on the line as well.
Their costs may rise though since the new FBO owners have raised their gas
prices, presumably in preparation for Super Bowl.

Glendale Aviation's birds were sold or the leasebacks transferred to other
FBO's. Two of their leased 172SP's are now rented out by Angel Air (based
at Stellar) out of Goodyear Airport (GYR). Some of their better CFII's now
operate out of GYR as well. Angel has plenty of planes at Stellar (P19) as
well. Angel Air can be found at http://www.flyangelair.com/ . They rent
172's (steam and G1000, though only steam at GYR), a 182T G1000 (high
perf), a late model Arrow (complex) and a Seminole twin (multi).

I was sad to see Glendale Aviation stop renting as they had the cheapest
rates in the valley Example being (wet, hobbs) $68/hr for a 152
Sparrowhawk, $88 for a 172N, $114/hr for a 172SP, and $125/hr for a 172SP
G1000.

Angel rents the same 172SPs at $120/hr, which is still reasonable given
the rise in cost of AvGas. The 172SP's they have at GYR have seen student
abuse, but are still in reasonably nice shape - being that everything
still works.

Hope this helps,
-Rick (PPL ASEL)