Marc,

but it doesn't seem to me like owning is
such a great proposition if you're just a recreational flyer.


Owning costs per hour come down to near rental value if you fly at
least 100 to 200 hours per year, depending on circumstances. That's why
partnerships are attractive for many, with groups of 2 to 5 people.

Here's the key advantage (to me) about owning:

I can take the plane, fly one hour to one of the North Sea barrier
islands here in Germany, stay for two or three days and fly one hour
back. Impossible to convice an FBO to let me have a plane for that
length of time when I fly just two hours.

Other advantages involve knowing the status of the plane and who
handled it, exterior and interior status and care, avionics tailored to
your likings and so on.

But in general, yes, owning will be more expensive than renting.

Oh, one more thing: Depending on what kind of plane you want, you can
get one for 20k or so. A nice Ercoupe, for example.

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)