"Andrew Gideon" wrote in message
news
On Fri, 25 May 2007 11:08:26 -0500, Dan Luke wrote:

I've a problem with your numbers; I don't see how they can be correct.
It's not any specific number you've described, but the overall sum.
Essentially: how can the two work out to anything but the rental costing
the same or more?

Several reasons:

The main economic difference is probably that the rental aircraft should have
much higher utilization because it is available to far more pilots. This would
distribute the fixed costs among far more flying hours.

Another reason is leasebacks. Leasebacks are often a rather bad deal for
the airplane owner. Owners either enter into the leasback because they have
been "sold" on the idea along with the purchase of a new airplane, or they
already own the plane and are trying to reduce their ownership costs. Simple
fact: if it were cheaper for flying schools/FBOs to own their fleets outright,
that is what more of them would be doing.

Anytime anyone tries to convince you that any form of aircraft ownership is
cheaper than renting, check the figures several times and then go get a second
and third opinion before signing any dotted lines.

Vaughn