Rusty17

I'm basically in the same position as far as having been on Staff for the past few years and now looking to jump to the civilian side… I didn't take the CFI equiv test and not sure I really have much interest in that route. Someone on another forum mentioned finding guys out there who are civilians time building towards their ATP and looking for guys to fly some long days with them either in just a 172 or even guys looking to build up some ME time? Anyone have any experience with this?

Another guy who was military coming off Staff said he bought a C-152 for $20K, flew about 150-200 hrs in a few months and then sold it for what he paid for it saying it got him currency/recency and some extra total time (not sure if anyone will care about that PIC, but whatever) basically for the cost of gas. He works for a Major now, so I guess it worked… not sure how practical that option is though.

E2CMaster

I've considered that option as well.

The reply from the wife when I mention that idea is less than optimal.

rickair7777

It's definitely been done before, and can make perfect financial sense. You just have to figure out how many hours, of what type, you need within a certain time frame and then do some math. The upside is it's ccheaper than renting if you need a lot of hours. The downside is that there's the potential risk of unexpected MX issues or major ADs handed down from on high.

The usual rule of thumb is that 100 hours/year is the break-even point for light piston airplanes. Any less and you're better off renting, more than that and you should maybe consider buying. But run the numbers in any case. If you just need total time and have MOGAS available, a 152 can be pretty cheap to buy and operate.

You can sometimes get a sweet rental deal if you need a large block of hours and are willing/able to knock it out in a short period of time, especially if you're doing an extended XC trip. That type of flying is easier on the airplane than bounces and pattern work...somebody might cut you a 20% break. Owner gets a lot of revenue in a short period, and the revenue-to-fixed-cost ratio is very favorable for this evolution. Just have a written agreement as to what happens if you break down in east BFE.

E2CMaster

Yeah.. I need about 100 hours.

So I'm on the cusp. I have 1950TT, 2k TT would put me over more than a few hiring mins, and the other 50 would give me 100 in the last year.

Rusty17

I haven't flown at all at Staff and was looking at knocking out 100+ hrs just to get back in the game. I have looked into a local flying club with a $100 monthly fee, but you can get a 172 wet for $100 hr. Not bad, but if I'm going to drop $10K at a minimum then it may make more sense to spend $20K on a relatively low time 150/152 that I can flip within 6 months for close to what I paid for it. Problem is that I have no idea about costs for registration, hangering/tie down fees, insurance, etc. I'm guessing that could add up quickly, but still… if I could flip a 152 that I paid $20K for at even $15K after 150-200 hrs then I'd be coming out ahead provided there are no major mx problems along the way.

E2CMaster

Same thing I've been looking at. Only fear is breakdowns, and work keeping me too busy to fly it.

I could buy the most cherry C-150 on earth and the FAA would issue some $30k wing spar directive that only affects a 3 SN range the next day. I have that luck at time.

I do have the combo of selling my house and making some $$ in the next couple months, with a possibly decent tax return.

I'm sure Mrs. Master will want to spend it some something silly, like "College Fund".

John Carr

They say owning airplane is like owning a boat, there's two happy days.

The day you bought, and day you sold it. For the reasons listed. The add on nickel and dime costs that come with it.

Rusty17

No doubt, John… I have no illusions that it would be a perfect scenario. The biggest advantage to this option is doing it on my own terms. Back to the OPs question, having your own plane you could offset some of the costs by flying with students… I'll tell you the 150 I used to get my PPL at the local FBO was pretty beat up, but I probably paid for a good 1/4 of it myself!

e6bpilot

This is a good thread for any retiring or separating mil guys.
Two things to be gleaned here:
If you can at all help it, get a flying tour on the back end of your military career. Uncle don't care about your career aspirations and he will never stop asking you to sacrifice.
Your loyalty from T minus three years on needs to be to you and your family and what is best for them. I am willing to bet that any and all of us have made significant personal sacrifices, often times costing us marriages and close relationships with our children. Time to recoup some of that.

I am still wrapping my brain around the loyalty thing, as it is intuitive to me as a career military guy to be extremely loyal to my fellow servicemen, no matter what the rank, and do whatever my bosses ask me to as long as long as it doesn't sacrifice safety TOO much. And unions? That one is hard too, but I think I am slowly wrapping my brain around it.

E2CMaster

E6,

It took me about 6 months out of the Navy to wrap my head around it.

I was in the "Why unions" camp for a long time, as my only union experience was working as an engineer at GM and having to deal with the UAW daily when at I worked at Flint Truck & Bus assembly.

Corporate has no loyalty. I moved (on own dime) to Wyoming. Was supposed to fly. I end up driving a truck.

I've ended up being away from home for 5+ months at a shot, while I have a decent salary, all the forced unpaid overtime ends up making it so I make $19/hr or less.

And my company would fire me tomorrow if they could get someone with my qualification to do what I can do for less.