On 5 Aug 2005 01:23:51 -0700, wrote:

I've come to the point where I'm looking to get into owning an
aircraft. However, I've read (and calculated) that the break-even
point for owning comes after about 150-200 hours per year.

I'm not going to be doing nearly that amount of flying. In fact, I
don't know anybody other than a CFI or some other commercial pilot who
would. So, it seems that a partnership would be "the way to go" for
most people who want to vacation or take extended trips with an
aircraft.

If so, however, how come they're so *hard* to find? I don't see any
listed in trade-a-plane or on any aircraft commerce sites like
mooneymart or whatnot.

Based upon the number of listings that I've come across, partnerships
are downright endangered species.

First, partnerships and clubs are probably the predominant way of
owning an aircraft or at least part of one.
You might look into local flying clubs as well as partnerships. They
are *usually* more flexible, less expensive, and may have more
available aircraft.

As others have already said, check out the bulletin boards at the
local airports and if you don't find anything, post a note that your
are looking for a partnership, or club to join.

Normally I'd expect to fly more and pay less in a club than a
partnership, but much depends on who you have for partners or club
members. Either way, when in partnerships of clubs you have to pay
even more attention to the preflight and become extra attentive as far
as things that might fail.

For the break even point that too varies. I found it to be around 75
to 100 hours for what I'm flying.

There are couple of flying clubs around here (Central Michigan) that
figure some where between $40 and $50 per hour. One has a Cherokee
180 (Hershey Bar wing - old one, but with a modern panel including a
430) and the other has a very nice 172 that is reasonably well
equipped.

Renting runs $75 to $100 an hour with a new 172 renting for around
$125, or $135 per hour.

Are they? And, if not, how do I go about *finding* them?

Good Luck,

Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com


- Joe