Flight training how should it be done ???

[Timothy]

I am wondering what is the cheaper way for flight
training,renting an airplane to train in ,or buying one??
And what are the best steps to PPL training?



Tim

[toddrf]

Which country are you in?

Todd :-wave

[BobLee]

It depends greatly on where you live, what the rental rates and CFI fees are and what you want to do with the airplane. Do you just want to buy a C150 and then trade it in later. Or do you want to buy something more complex (read more expensive) and keep it to fly later.

For instance, training in the NYC area where I learned costs roughly $100 per hour wet in a C152. Figure 60-70 hours plus an additional $500 in other expenses -- books, headset, etc. So lets say $6-$7000.

Owning a C152 will run you roughtly $150 an hour in expenses (fuel, insurance, maintenance, engine overhaul funds, annual inspection funds, tiedown, etc.) not including loan payments. Plus you still pay $35 an hour for a CFI and for the books and other incidental stuff.

Now the hourly expenses are not paid directly out of pocket every time you fly, but they do exist.

A rule of thumb is if you fly less than 100 hours a year, it makes financial sense to rent not own. But who says pilots have any sense. :)

Bob

[flyinggriffin]

In the U.S. buying a decent airplane to train on is going to cost you about the same amount per month as buying a fairly cheap house.
If you can put a good amount down, and want to sell the trainer right after you get your ticket you might be able to save money but consider this point. If the plane that you rent has a maintenance problem or at worst you prang the plane, the FBO or Club has to foot the bill. You can just walk way, find another place to rent a plane. If you own, you pay to fix it, pay to fix the ADs etc. This can be extremely expensive at times. I know, I belong to the maintenance staff on our clubs airplanes. We had one bird come back from a 100 hour inspection with a 3000 bill.
The aviation magazines run articles all the time about renting vs owning and the conclusion is almost always that you don't break even on ownership unless you fly at least 200 hours a year.
On the other hand, if you don't have to worry about money, flying a plane that is totally yours is the ultimate. There is a lot to be said for a well run, private club. People to help pay for the plane, usually there will be experienced people to talk to that can help you with problems you might have in your student days.
Personally I would join a club, learn to fly the clubs planes,and get involved in the maintenance end of flying. Once you find out what all the upkeep costs and you have had an opportunity to rent and try different planes, you can make a more informed decision on what airplane you would want to buy.

[Shawnc]

Based on 200 hrs a year for a PA-28-140 I came that it would cost me about $60/hr wet to fly and that included Annaul, Tie-downs, Insurance, Oil, Overhaul and another 20% in it just to give me a little padding.

I do not know where you get that $150/hr thats how much it costs me that much to run the Pitts, and its hangered, rented (aka higher insurance, and 100hrs), and high preformace tail wheel.

Flying isn't dangerous, crashing is.
Retiree in Training

[Khirsah13]

Another option to consider is buying a plane and then leasing it to the flight school. You assume all the costs (fuel, maint, etc), but you get about 80 to 90% of the rental fee. The plane will pay for itself. That's a definite upside. You also get maintenance done more often. The downside is that your plane will build hours FAST.

Just something to consider.

[toddrf]

You can buy a decent Piper Tripacer for $25,000-$30,000. My 172 cost $30,000.

I break even off of a $75/hr rental cost (wet) if I fly my 172 more than 5 hours per month. I budget around $50/hr in operating costs with the differences going into the contingency pool for the nightmare annual.

If you can base your airplane on a grass strip and away from a major FBO, your tie down will be a lot cheaper. If you STC it for autofuel, you cut gas costs in half.

I my estimation, if you intend to learn to fly on through instruments and plan on doing a lot of intensive flying in a years time, it will pay for itself to buy a nicely equipt 152, one certified for IFR and then sell if after you are done, or if you feel like you might use it a lot after certification, keep it and let it appreciate. Stick with simple Piper Cherokees, Tri-Pacers, and Cessnas 172 and below and built before 1973 to keep the acquisition costs low.

Avoid Beechcrafts, early ones, even; even if they appear to be steals because they will darin your bank acount faster than your wife on a methamphetamine driven shopping spree with credit cards.

Todd :-wave

Todd

[Timothy]

I live in western Wisconsin and I have checked the local
rates for renting airplanes and it is usually 50$/hr.
Wisconsin Rapids has complete PPL packages for 3,700 ,in
a C172.I was just wondering what was cheaper renting or
buying ,to me it seems renting is better.

I am 14 :-roll and want to start training after my next
birthday(August 24).



Tim

[CanuckInUSA]

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Jun-20-02 AT 03:53PM (EDT)[/font][p]Renting is the way to go until you are sure you've found the sort of airplane which fits your long term need (which couldn't possibly be the case at 14). Do you want to become an ATP?

As a private pilot I surely wouldn't want to own a training aircraft but often question whether or not I can even afford to own a high performance airplane (something like a Cessna 182, Piper Dakota, Beechcraft or a Mooney). But as a renter I am currently endorsed to fly all sorts of 172s, 182s and a Piper Dakota (with the possibility of flying Beeches and Mooneys down the road).

Also, one would assume that your family is well off if someone at 14 years old is talking about buying an airplane. Do any other family members fly or thinking about flying? It might make sense if more than one family member is an aviator, but if it's just you, then renting is likely the way to go for now.

[Timothy]

I do want to become an ATP and no other famliy members fly
or care that much about aviation (surprisingly).I could maybe
get some help from my older brothers and try to convince them
to splurge for a used airplane hehe:-) .Or I MIGHT be able to get a job
somewhere around the airport to aford a 26k$ airplane.
Renting is most likely cheaper I guess.


Tim