Dc-3
08-19-2011, 07:38 AM
#1
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Aug 2011
Posts: 1
Dc-3
For any who missed this over the years, we have a DC-3 in FLL for type training or just a chance to fly or ride in it. Let us know, [email protected]
08-19-2011, 06:28 PM
#4
Flying Farmer
Joined APC: Jul 2006
Position: Turbo-props' and John Deere's
Posts: 3,160
08-20-2011, 06:21 AM
#5
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2011
Posts: 484
Cheaper than Gryden in GA by about $5K, but his hourly rates are high ($2200) and 'ground school', unless it includes the examiner's fee, is $1700. Ouch...4hrs & $10.5K for type rating.
I did a business plan for a SPIC 135 DC-3 operation back in '08 and figured operating costs, at the time ($5/gal avgas) to be approx $800/hr. At the time, Aircharterguide.net showed most DC-3 outfits charging between $800-1500/hr (I haven't looked recently). Talking with a current 135 DC-3 operation in S.FLA, his operating costs were several hundred/hr less than what I came up with back then. This was about 4 months research and a complete business plan to include a five-year plan to work up to DC-3 operations (C-185 to D-18 to DC-3), so it wasn't just doodles on a napkin over beers...
Even assuming a 50% increase in fuel costs, you're only up to about $1000-1100/hr op costs. Add another 10-15% for other cost inflations and he's still clearing $1K/hr above costs (although at FLL I'll bet his tie-down/hangar fees are far more than what I was using in my plan)....
I don't begrudge anyone from making a buck - that's what capitalism is all about. And I love to see these old planes kept in flyable condition and operating, and am willing to pay a little bit more for something that serves that purpose. And I love the DC-3 - one of my favorite planes of all time. But at some point, it becomes a bit too much...
I did a business plan for a SPIC 135 DC-3 operation back in '08 and figured operating costs, at the time ($5/gal avgas) to be approx $800/hr. At the time, Aircharterguide.net showed most DC-3 outfits charging between $800-1500/hr (I haven't looked recently). Talking with a current 135 DC-3 operation in S.FLA, his operating costs were several hundred/hr less than what I came up with back then. This was about 4 months research and a complete business plan to include a five-year plan to work up to DC-3 operations (C-185 to D-18 to DC-3), so it wasn't just doodles on a napkin over beers...
Even assuming a 50% increase in fuel costs, you're only up to about $1000-1100/hr op costs. Add another 10-15% for other cost inflations and he's still clearing $1K/hr above costs (although at FLL I'll bet his tie-down/hangar fees are far more than what I was using in my plan)....
I don't begrudge anyone from making a buck - that's what capitalism is all about. And I love to see these old planes kept in flyable condition and operating, and am willing to pay a little bit more for something that serves that purpose. And I love the DC-3 - one of my favorite planes of all time. But at some point, it becomes a bit too much...
