In article ,
Boris wrote:
Please indicate if this is the wrong newsgroup for these questions.
I can almost remember trying to figure this out for myself about 3 years
ago.
The weekend drive from my home in Grosse Pointe, MI to Lake Ann, MI is
230 statute miles, about 4.5 to 5 hours each way.
Door to door. So make your comparisons with flying that way (if time
is your motivation):
1. travel time to the airport,
2. time to preflight (say about 15 minutes),
3. flight time (about 15 minutes plus the flight distance
divided by the cruise speed),
4. and the time to get from the destination airport to your
ultimate destination.
Last weekend weekend we flew to a destination we've driven several
times before. It's a 5 hour drive, in theory, but it always takes
longer because we stop on the way. Door to door it took almost
exactly 2.5 hours each way by plane. There's an airport only a
couple of miles from our destination (a ~$12 cab ride).
Also, the flight is almost effortless, while the drive takes a lot
more attention. The flight is also a lot more scenic.
There is a grass strip about 5 minutes from Lake Ann.
Beware that many FBOs won't let you operate out of grass strips.
Also, grass strips are generally only available for the summer
months after the snow has melted and the strip has dried out.
1) Is 3K-5K a realistic estimate of the cost of getting VFR rated?
$3k would be very low, $5k is probably reasonable.
2) Being the Midwest, it is frequently cloudy. Is IFR a realistic
requirement to be able to return home safely on a given weekend?
3) Is another 3K-5K realistic for an IFR rating?
As many people will tell you, the instrument rating won't get you in
every time. Especially into a grass strip. Your estimate might
be a bit low, but more importantly you will need 50 hours PIC cross
country before you take the checkride, which is another $5k+ worth
of flying between your private and your IR checkride.
4) What plane would be suitable to hire for this distance, a grass
strip, 2 adults, 2 young children and some luggage?
5) What rate would you expect to pay per hour?
8) If I left on Friday afternoon and returned at dawn on Monday
morning, what additional charges are applied to the rental?
Cessna 172 or 182, a variety of planes in the Piper Cherokee line.
They'd be anywhere from $70-125/hr "wet Hobbs", meaning the time from
engine start to engine stop with everything included.
HOWEVER, and this is a big one: If you take a plane overnight almost
every FBO and club has some daily minimum. On weekends I've seen as
high as 4hours/day. The duration you mention will probably have
anywhere from a 4-10 hour minimum, regardless of how much you fly.
If you get stuck at the far end for some reason you may end up paying
for the FBO to come get it and ferry it back.
In addition you will probably have to reserve the plane a month or
more in advance, if you can get the whole weekend at all. And despite
the minimums the FBO may be grumpy about it or even cancel you at the
last minute for students.
Is this a realistic alternative idea for weekend family trips or a
pipe dream?
I think if you're serious about it you'll end up owning your own plane
alone or in a partnership. It's not cheaper but it's more realistic
for travelling.
--
Ben Jackson
http://www.ben.com/