Forecasted growth of GA
02-28-2011, 07:36 PM
#21
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Joined APC: Dec 2008
Posts: 299
My former colleagues still working at Oakland Center, assuming top of the pay band based on years of service, make about $120,000 (they are actually ATC-11 pay, not ATC-12 pay like SoCal TRACON) multiplied by 35.15% Locality Pay, equals $162,180. This is the base pay that over 36 months of earning, which will determine their pension payments. In addition, add a 25% Sunday premium pay, 100% Holiday, 150% Overtime, Night Pay, Instructor Pay, etc. It's easy to push well over $200k, given the right circumstances. Never pack a suitcase, never fight for a jumpseat, never stuck in an airport.
I like the NAV Canada approach to being a controller, you simply apply to a pseudo-government run agency and they handle your education (if you get in). Dealing with schools with sketchy partnerships with contract controlling gigs just did not look all that enticing. Then again, bravo for the young folks taking over the scopes at the centers, towers & tracons now.
02-28-2011, 09:30 PM
#22
Self Employed.
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
I suppose that is correct.
Skyhigh
03-03-2011, 04:25 AM
#24
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Joined APC: Apr 2008
Position: Sleeping in the black swan’s nest.
Posts: 5,725
Bingo!! Buying an airplane is a total waste of money from an investment standpoint as things stand today. If you really want one and have got the money to burn on a toy that's one thing. But they just don't male sense financially at the moment.
03-03-2011, 05:47 AM
#25
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Position: ATP, CFI etc.
Posts: 6,056
You can serve as a case in point being a lower middle class (ok just kidding) middle class GA enthusiast. Can you afford a Skycatcher? Is it really worth it to you to buy one instead of a boat? I could probably afford one but I am atypical in terms of income and family patterns.
03-03-2011, 06:05 AM
#26
Self Employed.
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
Financial Sence
Skyhigh
03-03-2011, 06:16 AM
#27
Self Employed.
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
Skycatcher
You can serve as a case in point being a lower middle class (ok just kidding) middle class GA enthusiast. Can you afford a Skycatcher? Is it really worth it to you to buy one instead of a boat? I could probably afford one but I am atypical in terms of income and family patterns.
To me it makes more long term financial sense to buy the new Skycatcher. Especially if you have 30 years of possibly flying years ahead of you. I can't wait to fly one.
Skyhigh
03-03-2011, 06:29 AM
#28
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I live a half mile from where they assemble them at Yingling and have friends on the mechanics team. They are ramping up to fill some orders pretty soon. The power to weight ratio is somewhat better than a 152. Much more fun in my mind at least, than a small fishing boat.
03-03-2011, 07:15 AM
#29
Self Employed.
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
Light sport
I live a half mile from where they assemble them at Yingling and have friends on the mechanics team. They are ramping up to fill some orders pretty soon. The power to weight ratio is somewhat better than a 152. Much more fun in my mind at least, than a small fishing boat.
I hope that Cessna is at least considering approving the SC to use mogas with alcohol. The elephant in the room is what is going to happen to avgas.
Though I do not like the idea of homebuilding a plane something with A VW engine would be a good alternative to an uncertain future.
Skyhigh
03-03-2011, 07:57 PM
#30
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Joined APC: Dec 2010
Posts: 3,118
It is an interesting argument indeed. A pilot could drop 25K on a 30 year old Cessna 150 that needs radios, paint, interior and eventually a new engine at the going shop rate of an A&P or they could buy a brand new Skycatcher and work on it themselves after a 104 hour class to essentially become a light sport A&P plus another 16 hour to become a LS IA.
To me it makes more long term financial sense to buy the new Skycatcher. Especially if you have 30 years of possibly flying years ahead of you. I can't wait to fly one.
Skyhigh
To me it makes more long term financial sense to buy the new Skycatcher. Especially if you have 30 years of possibly flying years ahead of you. I can't wait to fly one.
Skyhigh
A nice C150 $30~$35k
That's $80k you can spend on gas, hamburgers, etc.
I'll take the 150 (which is still overpriced imho).
Getting FAA approval for a fuel that holds water is going to be very hard. It would be easier to get rid of the silly ethanol mandate.
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