Mid-air in California

"Larry Dighera" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 22 Jan 2008 06:20:14 GMT, TheSmokingGnu
wrote in
yWflj.3634$hk4.200@trnddc03:

Larry Dighera wrote:
On Tue, 22 Jan 2008 02:05:39 GMT, TheSmokingGnu
wrote in
Tbclj.3438$hk4.3134@trnddc03:

But no one flies SNA-AJO (even students; why fly all the way out there
when you're practically standing on a perfectly good Class C?), ...

The cost of fuel is considerably cheaper at AJO than at SNA (and many
other places in the nation). That's enough to motivate some folks
with aircraft with considerable fuel capacity such as the PA28-235 (85
gallons) to fill up at AJO.

While you are correct in that fueling at AJO will, in the PA-28's case,
save you about $25 (over closer services at FUL, and ~$135 per at SNA),
you have to take into account the added wear and tear on the aircraft;
AJO is 19nm straightline, and the PA-28 will need something like 0.4
hours roundtrip to fuel at AJO (under perfect, traffic-less conditions
and ideal flight path and no winds; don't forget time-on-ground, too).
Assuming a TBO of 1500 hours (wild guess, am I ballpark?),

You're only off by 33%: Lycoming O-540 TBO = 2,000 hours.

you're
looking at a savings of ~$43,000; can you overhaul an O-540 with that
much money? What will it cost you in oil, tires and time to fly all the
way out there and back each time for fuel?

Also consider that this is relying on the only available supplier at SNA
on AirNav; I'm almost certain there are more FBO's at SNA than one (been
a long time).

Two. Newport Jet Center, and Signature Flight Support.

Consider that LGB is closer than AJO to SNA, and has
self-serve fuel just 30 cents more expensive than AJO.

Besides, I don't even think there are any good hamburger joints at AJO.

The fare at Bob's Chili & Chow Hall is good for dinner food. I'd rate
it above Flo's at Chino.

I mean really! What's the point? :P

Bragging rights about havening purchased the cheapest fuel for $4.10 /
gallon instead of $6.01? That's nearly a 33% ($1.91/gallon) savings,
or say $143.25 savings for 75 gallons.

3.99 gallon today I just flew in and filled up.