EAA Young Eagles

[Anonymous Poster]

As a CFI (Certificated Flight Instructor), CFII (CFI - Instrument), AGI (Advanced Ground Instructor) and MEI (Multi engine instructor) with 2200 hrs TT (total time) and 450 hrs multi engine time, I participate regularly in the Young Eagles program. I see lots of smiles there.

Our C-172s rent for $75.00/hr wet (including fuel), so I am glad I am here in Colorado Springs and not where
you are. However, the industry is changing rapidly due to 9/11. A C-310 (twin engine) now rents for
$200.00/hr. That is some serious dough for something that only goes 157 kts. Never owned an airplane and never wanted to do so.

The CFI route allowed me to pay the family back for all of the flight training money that was previously spent. Now my question is: How am I going to pay the family back for all the money that I just sunk into a new tractor??? I guess that this is just my mid life crisis item. I don't have a boat, sports car, plane, or girlfreind (just a wife), so I have to have something.

Just a word of caution: Neither tractors nor airplanes are cheap and trying to do both activities at the same time takes some real financial planning!!

 

[njrqs]

Dan

No that is $Aus, so that compares exactly to the $75/hr quoted by our CFI in the last post.

Hey Mr. CFI - Register so we now more about ya !! I might need to pick your brains about some flying tips !!

We have homebuilts etc. here but for the timebeing I too am happy to stick to Factoty aircraft. I have a friend who is building an RV8 (Vans) These originated in your part of the world and are a very popular kit.

Yes engines are ridiculously expensive, as are the props to go with them.

Being of moderate proportions (fat), some of the smaller planes are a bit hard to fit into. Even a Cessna 152 which I did all my training in is a bit of a squeeze.

So it's 172's or bigger for me from now on.

Weight and balance are a big consideration in small planes, and the more pilot you put in, the less fuel you can take.

Cheers all

 

[Anonymous Poster]

One thing that you might want to check on before chugging off in a homebuilt airplane is:

Does you health insruance policy cover you if you are injured in an aircraft that is not a normal or utility category? My policy has an exclusion for experimental aircraft for disability coverage (and I work for an airline!!). This means that if I am injured in a non normal/utitlity category aircraft I won't get any disability income.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

If you think tractors are expensive and frustrating maintenance-wise try airplanes or boats. A Beech Duke that I fly just had both of its engines overhauled to the tune of $35,000.00 ea. That is not a misprint. The engines lasted a total of 233 hours after the overhaul before the camshaft ate the valve lifters (bad batch of camshafts), so the airplane has been in the shop in pieces since early March. At this time there is no estimate for a fix because the FAA is invloved. All of this time the fixed costs (hanger, insurance, annual inspection) keep accumulating. Just to add insult to injury, it is now out of annual!!! This is why I don't own an airplane.

 

[njrqs]

<font color=blue>something that only goes 157 kts</font color=blue>

Hey I get excited if the 172 gets to 120 down a hill /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

 

[rdln]

Really good reading guys! I have only been in a small plane once when I did my first and probably last tandem jump in 1993, not that it scared me but because I now have a wife and child to leave behind. BTW my wife also did a tandem jump in 1996. I would love to have the freedom jump in my plane and go golfing or fishing up north and back in a day.

This is a link to what a fellow who used to be in my four wheel drive club is up to. He is quite the entrepreneur. <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.rinke-aerospace.com/>Joe Rinke/JAG Helicopter</A>

 

[PitbullMidwest]

Our insurance agent is a pilot and a member of the EAA, he says our current policy would cover us. But there ain't no stinkin' way she's getting a plane before I get my tractor!!!!

 

[njrqs]

<font color=blue>four wheel drive</font color=blue>


Refreshing to hear that Steve. That's what we call them, but all I hear now is "four by four"

Hey intersting chopper site. I'll stick to fixed wings though !

 

[TresCrows]

You can operate a privately owned aircraft from your property and it is entirely legal. You do not have to have your property designated as a private use airfield but you may if you wish. Having it designated as a private field gives your little airport some protection from outside interst. Of course, being a good neighbor and not creating excess noise etc will allow you to operate from your property and most neighbors will never even know you do it. It is easy to work it all out in most cases--this is supposed to be a free country--my land, my airplane, my sky.
Actually the idea that aircraft are expensive is false--they cost less than many luxury vehicles and are a lot more fun. There are many excellent aircraft including the Vans Aircraft RV series than are easy to build, have better performance than factory aircraft and if you build it you can do your own maintenence. I know all this because I have done it, belong to the EAA, have built and am building my own aircraft, have been a pilot all my life, I am an A&P, IA. It is fun and it is easy and very rewarding to build your own aircraft. Tractors are great but just imagine after a long day mowing the field and then taking off in your airplane you built and whirling over your property like a giant eagle to look it all over. J

 

[njrqs]

TC/JR?

What did you build/are you building?

Is that a pic of your place?

Very clear photo. Better than any I have taken. Must be a good camera.

I notice it seems to be out of the left side? - Were you flying & shooting??