"john smith" wrote in message
...
For someone who already has a pilot certificate and has an airplane to
fly, what are the costs (other than fuel and oil) associated with flying
in Europe?

50 hour inspections, annual inspections, 3 yearly "star" annual (very
expensive) and if importing a US aircraft possibly $6000 to get it on the
register after a pile of useless mods are added.

If you want to fly IFR on the US register in Europe aircraft will need ADF
and DME. GPS substitution is not acceptable so mods are required to those
nice glass cockpits.

All airports charge landing fees. Last week we did a couple of practice ILS
approaches and a landing, the charge was $50. That was after booking a slot
two days earlier.

On that particular day we did 90 minutes flying, the aircraft costs incl
fuel were $160 and the user charges including the low approach and two
landings came to $80.

If we were an aircraft with a weight above 2000kgs and flying IFR then there
would be route charges too.

I am sure that within the next 10 years that will be the case in the US, in
that the user should pay the costs for what they use rather than it be paid
for by the taxpayer.
One alternative might be to introduce commercials into ATC.

Can you getting a landing clearance thus:

"Cleared to land runway 26, ... this clearance is brought to you by Reggies
pizzeria they best pizzas for miles." or even

" Cleared for take off........ on those long lonely flights have you ever
given though to what your family is feeling. Are you properly insured? For
instant insurance contact FSS Insurances on 122.2 before departure or call
us on a longer segment and we can discuss all your insurance requirements.
122.2 ..... WE ARE WAITING TO HEAR FROM YOU!!!! 122.2 .......contact
departure on 128.4.

I am sure there is scope for a lot more.