View Full Version : Going inactive
Well, I just received an email from the local flying club stating that
the we rates for Archers is now $90 per hour.
Given that I haven't had a salary increase since 2001, the cost of
living has gone up over 22% since then, and my wife is back in school
getting her B.S. degree, I simply cannot afford to fly anymore. I am
going inactive as a pilot until my financial situation is good enough
that I can justify it. I doubt I will be able to fly again sooner
than autumn of 2009. This will be the first hiatus I have taken from
flying since I received my license in 1991...
Two hours of flying time pays for a season pass at the local ski
area...
Dean
Dan[_10_]
April 1st 08, 05:07 PM
On Apr 1, 12:06 pm, wrote:
> Well, I just received an email from the local flying club stating that
> the we rates for Archers is now $90 per hour.
>
> Given that I haven't had a salary increase since 2001, the cost of
> living has gone up over 22% since then, and my wife is back in school
> getting her B.S. degree, I simply cannot afford to fly anymore. I am
> going inactive as a pilot until my financial situation is good enough
> that I can justify it. I doubt I will be able to fly again sooner
> than autumn of 2009. This will be the first hiatus I have taken from
> flying since I received my license in 1991...
>
> Two hours of flying time pays for a season pass at the local ski
> area...
>
> Dean
There are other options...
Robert M. Gary
April 1st 08, 05:17 PM
On Apr 1, 9:06*am, wrote:
> Well, I just received an email from the local flying club stating that
> the we rates for Archers is now $90 per hour.
>
> Given that I haven't had a salary increase since 2001, the cost of
> living has gone up over 22% since then, and my wife is back in school
> getting her B.S. degree, I simply cannot afford to fly anymore. *I am
> going inactive as a pilot until my financial situation is good enough
> that I can justify it. *I doubt I will be able to fly again sooner
> than autumn of 2009. *This will be the first hiatus I have taken from
> flying since I received my license in 1991...
A couple things to consider. First, assuming your wife is getting her
B.S. in something marketable (not underwater basket weaving) hopefully
things will improve when she graduates. Second, you might want to
check out CAP. Although in many areas (including mine) its still
expensive for a pilot to get trained to fly missions (figure $120/hr
wet for 10+ hours), you can stay very active in aviation by getting
certified as a mission observer. You will sit in the right seat and
work the mission radios and equipment and you'll stay in the loop.
There is no cost in getting trained for air duties other than pilot.
Plus you can attend funded training weekends in which you may get an
hour or two of stick time funded.l
-robert
B A R R Y[_2_]
April 1st 08, 05:25 PM
wrote:
>
> Two hours of flying time pays for a season pass at the local ski
> area...
Have fun!
Ross
April 1st 08, 05:57 PM
wrote:
> Well, I just received an email from the local flying club stating that
> the we rates for Archers is now $90 per hour.
>
> Given that I haven't had a salary increase since 2001, the cost of
> living has gone up over 22% since then, and my wife is back in school
> getting her B.S. degree, I simply cannot afford to fly anymore. I am
> going inactive as a pilot until my financial situation is good enough
> that I can justify it. I doubt I will be able to fly again sooner
> than autumn of 2009. This will be the first hiatus I have taken from
> flying since I received my license in 1991...
>
> Two hours of flying time pays for a season pass at the local ski
> area...
>
> Dean
I think many of us have to do this from time to time. I did it twice.
When I moved to the Boston, MA area in '74. I couldn't afford to have a
home and eat, much less rent a plane. I would have like the opportunity
to fly in that area. My second time was for about 4 years when the kids
were in middle and high school. My time was pulled each direction. Then
I had a friend that loaned me his plane to get my BFR and I was back
flying. I finally was able to get my own plane when my kids graduated
from college and an inheritance. Go find a several people and split the
charges.
--
Regards, Ross
C-172F 180HP
KSWI
On Apr 1, 10:17*am, "Robert M. Gary" > wrote:
> On Apr 1, 9:06*am, wrote:
>
> > Well, I just received an email from the local flying club stating that
> > the we rates for Archers is now $90 per hour.
>
> > Given that I haven't had a salary increase since 2001, the cost of
> > living has gone up over 22% since then, and my wife is back in school
> > getting her B.S. degree, I simply cannot afford to fly anymore. *I am
> > going inactive as a pilot until my financial situation is good enough
> > that I can justify it. *I doubt I will be able to fly again sooner
> > than autumn of 2009. *This will be the first hiatus I have taken from
> > flying since I received my license in 1991...
>
> A couple things to consider. First, assuming your wife is getting her
> B.S. in something marketable (not underwater basket weaving) hopefully
> things will improve when she graduates. Second, you might want to
> check out CAP. Although in many areas (including mine) its still
> expensive for a pilot to get trained to fly missions (figure $120/hr
> wet for 10+ hours), you can stay very active in aviation by getting
> certified as a mission observer. You will sit in the right seat and
> work the mission radios and equipment and you'll stay in the loop.
> There is no cost in getting trained for air duties other than pilot.
> Plus you can attend funded training weekends in which you may get an
> hour or two of stick time funded.l
>
> -robert
It is a nursing degree... she wants to become a school nurse. The
beauty of that is that here schedule will be the same as the kids, so
NO DAY CARE EXPENSES!!!! That is a biggie. She has an Associate
Degree as an R.N. but the school system requires a Bachelors Degree.
In the meantime, we are tightening our belts, so flying must go.
Dean
Longworth[_1_]
April 2nd 08, 02:24 AM
On Apr 1, 12:06*pm, wrote:
> getting her B.S. degree, I simply cannot afford to fly anymore. *I am
> going inactive as a pilot until my financial situation is good enough
> that I can justify it. *I doubt I will be able to fly again sooner
Dean,
Avgas at our homebase went up to $5.30/gal last week. We were
glad to get our commercial training done last month when we paid just
over $4/gal. I tallied up our logbook and found that we flew 56 hrs
last month. I have not reviewed my credit card bill to assess the
damage. It is surely getting more and more expensive to fly.
I am sorry to hear that you are going inactive. Robert had
suggested CAP as one way to stay active. Another way is to volunteer
as safety pilot. There ought to be few IFR pilots at your homebase who
need to stay current.
Good luck.
Hai Longworth
On Apr 1, 7:24*pm, Longworth > wrote:
> On Apr 1, 12:06*pm, wrote:
>
> > getting her B.S. degree, I simply cannot afford to fly anymore. *I am
> > going inactive as a pilot until my financial situation is good enough
> > that I can justify it. *I doubt I will be able to fly again sooner
>
> * Dean,
> * * *Avgas at our homebase went up to $5.30/gal last week. *We were
> glad to get our commercial training done last month when we paid just
> over $4/gal. * I tallied up our logbook and found that we flew 56 hrs
> last month. *I have not reviewed my credit card bill to assess the
> damage. *It is surely getting more and more expensive to fly.
> * * *I am sorry to hear that you are going inactive. *Robert had
> suggested CAP as one way to stay active. *Another way is to volunteer
> as safety pilot. There ought to be few IFR pilots at your homebase who
> need to stay current.
> * * Good luck.
>
> Hai Longworth
I think my best bet is to go up occasionally with my friend in his
Kiftfox 7A. It runs on autogas and burns 5gph. I can afford to split
that with him, and at least I can get some non-PIC time...
Dean
Morgans[_2_]
April 2nd 08, 07:58 AM
> wrote
I think my best bet is to go up occasionally with my friend in his
Kiftfox 7A. It runs on autogas and burns 5gph. I can afford to split
that with him, and at least I can get some non-PIC time...
***********************
Even better, start building a homebuilt. A little at a time as you can
afford a little of this, or a little of that.
In 7 years (the average time to build a homebuilt) you will have something
you can afford to fly.
Or find some partners to get a homebuilt already built, and do it that way.
Buy it on time, and you might be able to afford payments, and still be able
buy gas to get some stick time.
That way, you can do all the work, yourself. All but the yearly inspection,
unless you built it yourself, of course.
I hope you can find a way to keep flying. If not, I hope it will not be too
long.
--
Jim in NC
Jay Honeck[_2_]
April 2nd 08, 04:29 PM
> I simply cannot afford to fly anymore. I am
> going inactive as a pilot until my financial situation is good enough
> that I can justify it.
That sucks, Dean, but I've got an idea. In fact, I'm executing it myself.
I've gathered together six fellow pilots (most of whom already own other
aircraft) and we're going together to buy an LSA Ercoupe. Total investment
will be (at most) $4K per person. Fuel burn will be 4 - 5 gallons of mogas
per hour.
Mary and I realized that burning 25 gph at takeoff in an airplane that
carries four people at 142 knots and can haul 1460 pounds is great when
you're traveling, but makes little sense when we're flying to a nearby
pancake breakfast. Who cares if you're going more than 90 knots, when it's
the *flying* that is the point?
So, for less than the cost of a motorcycle, we're all going to get an LSA
aircraft. In the long run it will save us money AND be a lot of fun! You
might look into some similar set up?
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"
On Apr 2, 9:29*am, "Jay Honeck" > wrote:
> > I simply cannot afford to fly anymore. *I am
> > going inactive as a pilot until my financial situation is good enough
> > that I can justify it.
>
> That sucks, Dean, but I've got an idea. *In fact, I'm executing it myself.
>
> I've gathered together six fellow pilots (most of whom already own other
> aircraft) and we're going together to buy an LSA Ercoupe. * Total investment
> will be (at most) $4K per person. * Fuel burn will be 4 - 5 gallons of mogas
> per hour.
>
> Mary and I realized that burning 25 gph at takeoff in an airplane that
> carries four people at 142 knots and can haul 1460 pounds is great when
> you're traveling, but makes little sense when we're flying to a nearby
> pancake breakfast. * Who cares if you're going more than 90 knots, when it's
> the *flying* that is the point?
>
> So, for less than the cost of a motorcycle, we're all going to get an LSA
> aircraft. *In the long run it will save us money AND be a lot of fun! * You
> might look into some similar set up?
> --
> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"
Maybe after my wife starts working again... I am thinking that the
only way I could afford to fly then will be if I can get on my buddy's
insurance and fly his Kitfox. Right now I simply don' t have the time
or money to spend on flying...
Dean
news.chi.sbcglobal.net
April 2nd 08, 05:38 PM
6 people x $4k = $24k
Check Barnstormers...most LSA Ercoupes are closer to $30k...
"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:cDNIj.102710$yE1.42133@attbi_s21...
>> I simply cannot afford to fly anymore. I am
>> going inactive as a pilot until my financial situation is good enough
>> that I can justify it.
>
> That sucks, Dean, but I've got an idea. In fact, I'm executing it myself.
>
> I've gathered together six fellow pilots (most of whom already own other
> aircraft) and we're going together to buy an LSA Ercoupe. Total
> investment will be (at most) $4K per person. Fuel burn will be 4 - 5
> gallons of mogas per hour.
>
> Mary and I realized that burning 25 gph at takeoff in an airplane that
> carries four people at 142 knots and can haul 1460 pounds is great when
> you're traveling, but makes little sense when we're flying to a nearby
> pancake breakfast. Who cares if you're going more than 90 knots, when
> it's the *flying* that is the point?
>
> So, for less than the cost of a motorcycle, we're all going to get an LSA
> aircraft. In the long run it will save us money AND be a lot of fun!
> You might look into some similar set up?
> --
> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"
Al[_2_]
April 3rd 08, 02:07 AM
wrote:
> Well, I just received an email from the local flying club stating that
> the we rates for Archers is now $90 per hour.
>
> Given that I haven't had a salary increase since 2001, the cost of
> living has gone up over 22% since then, and my wife is back in school
> getting her B.S. degree, I simply cannot afford to fly anymore. I am
> going inactive as a pilot until my financial situation is good enough
> that I can justify it. I doubt I will be able to fly again sooner
> than autumn of 2009. This will be the first hiatus I have taken from
> flying since I received my license in 1991...
>
> Two hours of flying time pays for a season pass at the local ski
> area...
>
> Dean
Wow! Where can you get a season ski pass for $180? Around here it's
$500-$750.
Al
SFF/Spokane Wa
1964 Skyhawk
On Apr 2, 7:07*pm, Al > wrote:
> wrote:
> > Well, I just received an email from the local flying club stating that
> > the we rates for Archers is now $90 per hour.
>
> > Given that I haven't had a salary increase since 2001, the cost of
> > living has gone up over 22% since then, and my wife is back in school
> > getting her B.S. degree, I simply cannot afford to fly anymore. *I am
> > going inactive as a pilot until my financial situation is good enough
> > that I can justify it. *I doubt I will be able to fly again sooner
> > than autumn of 2009. *This will be the first hiatus I have taken from
> > flying since I received my license in 1991...
>
> > Two hours of flying time pays for a season pass at the local ski
> > area...
>
> > Dean
>
> Wow! *Where can you get a season ski pass for $180? *Around here it's
> $500-$750.
>
> Al
> SFF/Spokane Wa
> 1964 Skyhawk- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
Bogus Basin Ski Area, Boise Idaho. They go on sale in Feb for $199.00
xyzzy
April 3rd 08, 05:52 PM
On Apr 2, 11:29 am, "Jay Honeck" > wrote:
> > I simply cannot afford to fly anymore. I am
> > going inactive as a pilot until my financial situation is good enough
> > that I can justify it.
>
> That sucks, Dean, but I've got an idea. In fact, I'm executing it myself.
>
> I've gathered together six fellow pilots (most of whom already own other
> aircraft) and we're going together to buy an LSA Ercoupe. Total investment
> will be (at most) $4K per person. Fuel burn will be 4 - 5 gallons of mogas
> per hour.
>
> Mary and I realized that burning 25 gph at takeoff in an airplane that
> carries four people at 142 knots and can haul 1460 pounds is great when
> you're traveling, but makes little sense when we're flying to a nearby
> pancake breakfast. Who cares if you're going more than 90 knots, when it's
> the *flying* that is the point?
>
> So, for less than the cost of a motorcycle, we're all going to get an LSA
> aircraft. In the long run it will save us money AND be a lot of fun! You
> might look into some similar set up?
I had Ercoupe fever until I went to a seminar on them at OshKosh last
year and learned about intergranular spar corrosion. You might want
to look into it if you haven't. All Ercoupe spars (except for the
Alons apparently) were manufactured in one batch in the 1940s and
passed down from company to company. This corrosion results from
manufacturing defects, not environment, so there's no way to prevent
it. Nasty stuff, and virtually undetectable until the plane is no
longer airworthy. Pity, Ercoupes sure are cool (and relatively
affordable).
F. Baum
April 3rd 08, 06:39 PM
On Apr 1, 10:06*am, wrote:
> Well, I just received an email from the local flying club stating that
> the we rates for Archers is now $90 per hour.
>
> Given that I haven't had a salary increase since 2001, the cost of
> living has gone up over 22% since then, and my wife is back in school
> getting her B.S. degree, I simply cannot afford to fly anymore. *I am
> going inactive as a pilot until my financial situation is good enough
> that I can justify it. *I doubt I will be able to fly again sooner
> than autumn of 2009. *This will be the first hiatus I have taken from
> flying since I received my license in 1991...
>
Dean, I have heard your story before and I am gonna tell you the same
thing I tell others. If you have been flying since 91 I am sure you
have alot of experience and ratings by now and it shouldnt be too
difficult to get to the point where you arent paying for your flying
anymore. For example, does your club need any part time instructors ?
What about the local FBO ? If you dont like instructing how about
charter. I know charter can be time consuming but with the growth of
all these light jets many charter pilots do not want to fly turboprops
anymore. Many charter outfits are having a tough time staffing entry
level positions in TBMs, and King Airs, etc.
Another thing you can try is looking for pilots who have just bought
airplanes and need some time for insurance or a checkout. Last year I
got some time in a SR20 and a BE200 flying with new owners. The down
low nap of the earth flying was a nice break from my day job.
Dont give up. Most of the stuff I have mentioned wont pay more than a
few hundred bucks a day, but having a mission or a purpose will make
flying more fun than just drilling holes in the sky.
FB
Frank Stutzman[_2_]
April 4th 08, 07:13 PM
Jay Honeck > wrote:
> I've gathered together six fellow pilots (most of whom already own other
> aircraft) and we're going together to buy an LSA Ercoupe. Total investment
> will be (at most) $4K per person. Fuel burn will be 4 - 5 gallons of mogas
> per hour.
So, Jay, its taken you years, but you are confirming my sage advice.
Allow me to refresh your memory...
http://tinyurl.com/6yuyxq
--
Frank Stutzman
Bonanza N494B "Hula Girl"
Boise, ID
Frank Stutzman[_2_]
April 4th 08, 08:20 PM
wrote:
>> Wow! ?Where can you get a season ski pass for $180? ?Around here it's
>> $500-$750.
>>
>> Al
>> SFF/Spokane Wa
>> 1964 Skyhawk- Hide quoted text -
>>
>> - Show quoted text -
>
> Bogus Basin Ski Area, Boise Idaho. They go on sale in Feb for $199.00
And what Dean doesn't say that Bogus is about a 30 to 45 minute drive from
downtown Boise and has night skiing. Now that I've relocated here, the
family getting back into skiing.
--
Frank Stutzman
Bonanza N494B "Hula Girl"
Boise, ID
Jay Honeck[_2_]
April 5th 08, 03:27 AM
> So, Jay, its taken you years, but you are confirming my sage advice.
> Allow me to refresh your memory...
>
> http://tinyurl.com/6yuyxq
Cool! However, you forgot to suggest that "six other pilots" part that gets
the overall price down to less than a trip to Mickey World....
:-)
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"
C J Campbell[_1_]
April 5th 08, 03:46 AM
On 2008-04-03 10:39:08 -0700, "F. Baum" > said:
> On Apr 1, 10:06*am, wrote:
>> Well, I just received an email from the local flying club stating that
>> the we rates for Archers is now $90 per hour.
>>
>> Given that I haven't had a salary increase since 2001, the cost of
>> living has gone up over 22% since then, and my wife is back in school
>> getting her B.S. degree, I simply cannot afford to fly anymore. *I am
>> going inactive as a pilot until my financial situation is good enough
>> that I can justify it. *I doubt I will be able to fly again sooner
>> than autumn of 2009. *This will be the first hiatus I have taken from
>> flying since I received my license in 1991...
>>
> Dean, I have heard your story before and I am gonna tell you the same
> thing I tell others. If you have been flying since 91 I am sure you
> have alot of experience and ratings by now and it shouldnt be too
> difficult to get to the point where you arent paying for your flying
> anymore. For example, does your club need any part time instructors ?
Since I have an hour drive each way to the airport, instructing has a
hard time even paying for my gas to drive there, especially during slow
weather months.
>
--
Waddling Eagle
World Famous Flight Instructor
Morgans[_2_]
April 5th 08, 04:05 AM
"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:ysBJj.52982$TT4.48765@attbi_s22...
>> So, Jay, its taken you years, but you are confirming my sage advice.
>> Allow me to refresh your memory...
>>
>> http://tinyurl.com/6yuyxq
>
> Cool! However, you forgot to suggest that "six other pilots" part that
> gets the overall price down to less than a trip to Mickey World....
Yep, and Jay must be a "slow learner," too. That advice to get a second
plane was over 6 years ago! <g>
--
Jim in NC
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