What is the cheapest way to get into air? (no jokes please)

I want to get airborne with as little building involvement as possible.
The cheapest way. And with little maintenance as possible.
What are the possibilities?

I mean building a gerobee could take years and lots of money and this
rotax motors are 'spensive.

Building a wooden woodhopper could be fun and take lots of hours or
maybe years and lots of scrap wood.

There is also a storage concern, takeoff space, transportation of the
aircraft.

Maybe powered paragliding is the easiest way to get closer to the
skies?

Any hopes and/or ideas?

K.

wrote in message
oups.com...
I want to get airborne with as little building involvement as possible.
The cheapest way. And with little maintenance as possible.
What are the possibilities?


You just described buying a used sailplane. Lots of flying hours, lots of
fun and little money or maintenance. If you absolutely need to go from A to
B then this won't be the best choice, but if just fun flying is your goal,
soaring is far more fun for far less money. Go see www.ssa.org.

Bill Daniels

Bill Daniels wrote:
wrote in message
oups.com...
I want to get airborne with as little building involvement as possible.
The cheapest way. And with little maintenance as possible.
What are the possibilities?


You just described buying a used sailplane.

Hmm, it seems to me he just described joining a gliding club.

No building, no buying, no maintenance and probably discounted
lessons as well.

--

FF

Indeed. I haven't ever tried it myself, but looking around at some
local clubs the prices look very reasonable. Cheaper than renting a
powered plane for sure. I think I'm definately going to look at adding
the glider rating after finishing up my PPL (which I should be done
with in another 2 months. Of course, I said that two months ago, but
the weather has been horrid around here ).

Ditto. Powered paraglider. No need for a hill or a thermal. It packs up
better than any other aircraft. Initial investment is fairly low, and
so are training and maint. costs. And its an expanding sector of the
aviation market. Its kinda like the dark side of "the force" for me,
since I'm already committed to HG's and my pioneer-era machines. But it
definately meets the set of requirements you posted.

You might also be interested in taking a look at:
www.ushga.org

Harry

So does a trampoline

"wright1902glider" wrote in message
ups.com...

But it definately meets the set of requirements you posted.

Better than that.

Climb on toilet and flap your arms and jump off.

No construction.

No cost of building or buying.

Can be done without leaving home.

No cost of operating.

Short flight until on the ground but if you can't afford to fly longer
don't.

Somebody had to take the straight line and run with it )

Big John
`````````

On 9 Feb 2006 10:01:33 -0800, wrote:


Bill Daniels wrote:
wrote in message
oups.com...
I want to get airborne with as little building involvement as possible.
The cheapest way. And with little maintenance as possible.
What are the possibilities?


You just described buying a used sailplane.

Hmm, it seems to me he just described joining a gliding club.

No building, no buying, no maintenance and probably discounted
lessons as well.

("Big John" wrote)
Climb on toilet and flap your arms and jump off.

Somebody had to take the straight line and run with it )


You're on a roll now. g


Montblack
"...turn on the FAN!"

"Big John" wrote

Climb on toilet and flap your arms and jump off.
Short flight until on the ground but if you can't afford to fly longer
don't.

Somebody had to take the straight line and run with it )

Big John

Shame on you! You, like me chose to lay out the truth. I did the same,
only a little "tougher love," to another poster, and I had people jump me,
for that.

Whatever, I believe like you. If you have to ask how much gas a boat burns,
you can't afford the boat. A lot of truth holds over to airplanes, and
flying.
--
Jim in NC

"Morgans" wrote in message
...

Shame on you! You, like me chose to lay out the truth. I did the same,
only a little "tougher love," to another poster, and I had people jump me,
for that.

But Jim - we *like* him.

Rich S. )