USA Today .. Positive GA Pub

Mxsmanic wrote:
Judah writes:

They identified the costs to purchase a new plane as $400,000, although one
can purchase a new Cessna 172SP for about half that.

That's still $200,000. For most people, it might as well be
$200,000,000.

--
Transpose mxsmanic and gmail to reach me by e-mail.

Hey man,

I rent airplanes for $79/hr and one can find a nice IFR equipped 152
for $25k or less. Even better, one can get into a partnership and get
something nice for a good price. I started with nothing and now have a
job paying in the mid-$50s that allows me to fly around 90/hrs per
year. Obtaining a job that pays $50k/hr or more is doable by anybody
of average intelligence that is willing to work. I'm under 30 yrs old
and have a college degree, my private, instrument, and am working on my
commercial - all paid for in cash (no debt).

Quit feeling sorry for yourself and get a job that pays. You sound
lazy and whiny.

writes:

I rent airplanes for $79/hr and one can find a nice IFR equipped 152
for $25k or less.

Not everyone lives in an area where they can rent aircraft for $79 per
hour, and a 152 may not suit everyone's requirements. And even at
these prices, they are out of reach for many Americans.

I started with nothing and now have a job paying in the mid-$50s
that allows me to fly around 90/hrs per year.

So you need $55,000 to fly for one percent of your time. Sounds like
an awfully expensive hobby to me.

Obtaining a job that pays $50k/hr or more is doable by anybody
of average intelligence that is willing to work.

If only that were true.

I'm under 30 yrs old and have a college degree, my private, instrument,
and am working on my commercial - all paid for in cash (no debt).

Enjoy it while you can.

Quit feeling sorry for yourself and get a job that pays.

I haven't said anything about myself.

--
Transpose mxsmanic and gmail to reach me by e-mail.

Mxsmanic wrote:
writes:

I rent airplanes for $79/hr and one can find a nice IFR equipped 152
for $25k or less.

Not everyone lives in an area where they can rent aircraft for $79 per
hour, and a 152 may not suit everyone's requirements. And even at
these prices, they are out of reach for many Americans.

Yes, and riding motorcycles is also out of reach of "many Americans".
Doesn't mean motorcycling is only for the rich. BTW, I had those
rental prices in South FL and Denver, CO. They are current prices and
those two areas have a relatively high cost of living. If you live in
an area that is too expensive for your happiness, you move. Nobody's
forced to live in a certain area in the US.


I started with nothing and now have a job paying in the mid-$50s
that allows me to fly around 90/hrs per year.

So you need $55,000 to fly for one percent of your time. Sounds like
an awfully expensive hobby to me.

Huh? I paid off my car in cash, I travel, I go out with my friends, I
have a savings account, etc. I gave my income (which is median where I
live) as an example of the median income person being able to fly with
no debt. I certainly don't come anywhere close to spending all my
money on flying.


Obtaining a job that pays $50k/hr or more is doable by anybody
of average intelligence that is willing to work.

If only that were true.

Why isn't it true? Nobody paid anything for me after I was 18.
Nothing. No car, no insurance, no groceries, no books for college. I
did it all from scratch, and I'm just an average guy that worked hard.
I met a lot of people in school that did the same. America has its
problems, but hard work will always be rewarded here. The people that
complain seem to be lazy and expect things handed out to them and are
resentful of those that worked hard.


I'm under 30 yrs old and have a college degree, my private, instrument,
and am working on my commercial - all paid for in cash (no debt).

Enjoy it while you can.

Oh yeah? Is something going to happen? I've had more than my fair
share of tough life experiences. I don't let it slow me down.


Quit feeling sorry for yourself and get a job that pays.

I haven't said anything about myself.


Your constant whining says plenty.

"Mxsmanic" wrote in message
...
Judah writes:

They identified the costs to purchase a new plane as $400,000, although
one
can purchase a new Cessna 172SP for about half that.

That's still $200,000. For most people, it might as well be
$200,000,000.


In the anti-sport pilot communitiy, they are always complaining about the
cost of light sport aircraft (LSA). When you respond that a new LSA is half
the cost of a new 172, they still complain about it. When you point out
that an Ercoupe is about $15K and is an LSA, they complain about something
else.

Mxsmanic wrote in
:

That's still $200,000. For most people, it might as well be
$200,000,000.

Certainly for people who earn $100/wk tutoring that's true.

In 2004 the median US Income was reported as $43,389. Certainly someone
earning $43,389 might have trouble paying for a $200,000 loan for a Cessna
172SP, unless he planned to make it into a 30 year mortgage.

However, he would probably be able to afford the loan on a used model 172
that he bought through www.aso.com for $34,500 - the lowest priced 172
currently listed there. With $4,500 down, the monthly payment for a 7 year
loan on the balance would be about $450/month.

I know several people who earn about that and pay more for their car...

Judah writes:

In 2004 the median US Income was reported as $43,389. Certainly someone
earning $43,389 might have trouble paying for a $200,000 loan for a Cessna
172SP, unless he planned to make it into a 30 year mortgage.

However, he would probably be able to afford the loan on a used model 172
that he bought through www.aso.com for $34,500 - the lowest priced 172
currently listed there. With $4,500 down, the monthly payment for a 7 year
loan on the balance would be about $450/month.

I know several people who earn about that and pay more for their car...

They get a lot more use out of their car than they could ever get out
of an aircraft.

--
Transpose mxsmanic and gmail to reach me by e-mail.

Mxsmanic wrote in
:

They get a lot more use out of their car than they could ever get out
of an aircraft.

Irrelevant.

I got a 4 seater for $17,500.

mike

"Mxsmanic" wrote in message
...
Judah writes:

They identified the costs to purchase a new plane as $400,000, although
one
can purchase a new Cessna 172SP for about half that.

That's still $200,000. For most people, it might as well be
$200,000,000.

--
Transpose mxsmanic and gmail to reach me by e-mail.

"Kev" wrote in message
ups.com...

Jay Beckman wrote:
Good, positive press on the usefullness of GA:

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/fligh...ots-usat_x.htm

Thank you for the link.

I just wish they'd give a (much) wider range of cost figures, instead
of concentrating on the higher end of owning airplanes and license
cost.

Cheers, Kev


And a plug for Sport Pilot would have been nice.

On Wed, 17 Jan 2007 23:14:45 GMT, "Ken Finney"
wrote in :

And a plug for Sport Pilot would have been nice.

Not in this case. The story is extolling the virtues of GA as a
business alternative to airline travel. The public is already way to
aware of recreational GA activity.