I guess I have a different perspective, one that isn't so burdensome...

I own a 74 Grumman Traveler that I tie down for $35. The plane cost me $30K
to buy and insurance is less than $1000 a year for my wife (student) and I.
Annuals run about $1000 a year (the Grumman is a simple plane). I use about
10 gal/hr and go 115kt in cruise. It is just about like owning an older
classic car. I also fly about 100 hours a year so my hourly comes out to
about $45/hr.

I was going to say that based on your experience, I can see why more people
don't own expensive new planes, but then I read in the AOPA mag that Cirrus
is selling nearly one plane a day (1000 in less than 3 years).

Dave

"ArtP" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 02 Feb 2004 18:52:28 GMT, "Dave Covert"
wrote:


So please, if you are a pilot, and you don't own a plane, please email me
with a candid explanation as to why you personally don't own one. I will
compile the 'data' and post it back to the group once I have some idea of
the answer.

I own a plane (SR20), it costs me $6000 a year for insurance, $3600 a
year for a hangar (no electricity and gravel floor), about $3000 a
year in maintenance and I only fly about 100 hours. That works out to
$165 an hour. That does not include the cost of the plane. Before
buying the Cirrus I was in a club that only charged $70 an hour for a
Cessna 172. My FBO will rent a Piper twin for $150. Buying was the
biggest financial mistake I ever made.