Forecasted growth of GA
03-05-2011, 06:52 AM
#51
Self Employed.
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
Positive future
It is difficult to stay positive in regards to GA. There really is not much to get excited about anymore. In the future flying will be a lonely and expensive place.
I can not put much faith into professional flying either but there are plenty here who press on anyway. The whole thing is just sad. It must be a similar experience to when frontiersmen saw the west fading into history. It was a life that they dearly loved but was passing before their eyes.
Not much you can do about it but to turn your back and aim for the next star. At least hobby flying should be able to hold on for another 10 years or so.
Skyhigh
I can not put much faith into professional flying either but there are plenty here who press on anyway. The whole thing is just sad. It must be a similar experience to when frontiersmen saw the west fading into history. It was a life that they dearly loved but was passing before their eyes.
Not much you can do about it but to turn your back and aim for the next star. At least hobby flying should be able to hold on for another 10 years or so.
Skyhigh
Last edited by SkyHigh; 03-05-2011 at 08:08 AM.
03-07-2011, 07:27 AM
#52
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2009
Position: Airbus 319/320 Captain
Posts: 880
If AOPA really cared perhaps they could fill their magazines with useful content instead of giant multiple-page articles written about aircraft that only the rich can afford. Is this supposed to be masturbation material for the GA community? Sure, they have a few articles from some well known names but for the most part its barely decent bathroom reading material when you have to drop the kids off at the pool.
FLYING surprisingly is a little bit better. One of the last issues I saw had an article on buying tips for Cessna Cardinals. That's useful information for someone on a budget looking to buy an older plane. Sure, they have a few reviews of aircraft you'll never touch, but I'd kind of expect that from a magazine you have to pay for at a store.
As for the rates or aircraft, how much is that due to insurance these days? I hear the FBO's pay 4x the amount a regular person would have to pay. One thing that is pretty obnoxious is hangar/tie-down prices. I know a few cities where you have to drive 1-2 hours out to the sticks to find decent prices.
FLYING surprisingly is a little bit better. One of the last issues I saw had an article on buying tips for Cessna Cardinals. That's useful information for someone on a budget looking to buy an older plane. Sure, they have a few reviews of aircraft you'll never touch, but I'd kind of expect that from a magazine you have to pay for at a store.
As for the rates or aircraft, how much is that due to insurance these days? I hear the FBO's pay 4x the amount a regular person would have to pay. One thing that is pretty obnoxious is hangar/tie-down prices. I know a few cities where you have to drive 1-2 hours out to the sticks to find decent prices.
03-07-2011, 10:00 AM
#53
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2008
Position: Sleeping in the black swan’s nest.
Posts: 5,725
Experimental!!
I have almost taken the plunge on two experimentals in the 6 years since I was forced to sell my 1956 C-180. One is a North Star your basic Super Cub replica but this thing has a larger cabin and significantly out performs a stock cub. It is powered by an 0-320 150 HP Lyc and has all the STOL goodies that guys put on cubs to make them SUPER Super Cubs.
I have flown it a couple of times off the owners grass strip out here near Kiowa Colorado elevation 6,700' MSL. With no wind and my big self and full fuel I can get it off the ground in under 200'. The problem comes when you are trying to go somewhere at 90MPH cruise those 8 GPH start to add up.
The other one that I have serious heart throb for is an RV-8. If you've ever flown one you'd know what I mean. 180 HP at 190 MPH true ! Oh yeah...And it's way roomy enough for my 6'4" 260lb frame.
The North Star can be had for about 55K the RV 8?? I don't know but the prices are pretty high from what I've seen.
I really can't afford either. But it's free to dream.
I guess my point is that I am one of those guys who would be deeply into GA again if I could afford it. I love to fly light airplanes. I've got ZERO interest in a G-1000 equipped yuppie wagon of some sort I just want a rock solid performer and reliable airplane of some kind either a decent STOL bird for doing my ranch flying or a get cross country bird for the wife and I.
I can always buy a hand held Garmin that does just about everything a panel mounted unit does.
I have flown it a couple of times off the owners grass strip out here near Kiowa Colorado elevation 6,700' MSL. With no wind and my big self and full fuel I can get it off the ground in under 200'. The problem comes when you are trying to go somewhere at 90MPH cruise those 8 GPH start to add up.
The other one that I have serious heart throb for is an RV-8. If you've ever flown one you'd know what I mean. 180 HP at 190 MPH true ! Oh yeah...And it's way roomy enough for my 6'4" 260lb frame.
The North Star can be had for about 55K the RV 8?? I don't know but the prices are pretty high from what I've seen.
I really can't afford either. But it's free to dream.
I guess my point is that I am one of those guys who would be deeply into GA again if I could afford it. I love to fly light airplanes. I've got ZERO interest in a G-1000 equipped yuppie wagon of some sort I just want a rock solid performer and reliable airplane of some kind either a decent STOL bird for doing my ranch flying or a get cross country bird for the wife and I.
I can always buy a hand held Garmin that does just about everything a panel mounted unit does.
03-07-2011, 10:12 AM
#54
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2010
Posts: 3,118
I guess my point is that I am one of those guys who would be deeply into GA again if I could afford it. I love to fly light airplanes. I've got ZERO interest in a G-1000 equipped yuppie wagon of some sort I just want a rock solid performer and reliable airplane of some kind either a decent STOL bird for doing my ranch flying or a get cross country bird for the wife and I.
I can always buy a hand held Garmin that does just about everything a panel mounted unit does.
I can always buy a hand held Garmin that does just about everything a panel mounted unit does.
03-07-2011, 11:35 AM
#55
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2008
Position: Sleeping in the black swan’s nest.
Posts: 5,725
Skyhigh, you really know how to hurt a guy's feelings..
You got my interest peaked I just spent 2 hours searching Trade Insane and Barnstormers. So I did some calculations on that skycatcher. They go for about 110K if you finance them @ say 7% for 20 years your payment is going to be $820 buckeroons a month + insurance + hangar + maintenance and engine and prop reserve+ basic operating costs. Well we are right back to our original issue. YOU (WE) CAN'T AFFORD IT!!
You got my interest peaked I just spent 2 hours searching Trade Insane and Barnstormers. So I did some calculations on that skycatcher. They go for about 110K if you finance them @ say 7% for 20 years your payment is going to be $820 buckeroons a month + insurance + hangar + maintenance and engine and prop reserve+ basic operating costs. Well we are right back to our original issue. YOU (WE) CAN'T AFFORD IT!!
Last edited by Airhoss; 03-08-2011 at 06:30 AM.
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