Which Academy?

[bobbysamd]

Buying an airplane for training

I've been doing some research on taking ownership of an older aircraft for training, and just about every which way I look at it, it seems to be cheaper per training hour.

Have you factored in maintenance into your per-hour cost? Airplanes are not like cars. Airplanes go down for seemingly picayune problems that must be fixed before you can fly again. As owner, you would have to deal with these problems, not the least of which is finding a mechanic who can get on them; in the meantime, you are not flying when you should be. Is your time worth these hassles when you should be thinking only about training? Don't forget, too, that your airplane will need annuals and 100-hour inspections because it is used for flight instruction for hire, and, perhaps an engine overhaul if it is high TBO.

Don't forget about insurance, and possible state aircraft ownership taxes.

At a good school or FBO, other people worry about these problems. Your only concern will be your training.

Here's a couple of questions to ponder on though................ It may seem crazy to say the least but if it is financially possible to do so, would buying an old Seminole or something comparable to it be a good idea?

No. Most Seminoles are used for training and the old ones are tired. Too many things can go wrong with them, which brings us back to the maintenance issues discussed above. In my last aviation job, which was instructing Part 61 contract students, we had one Seminole. It was our only aircraft. It was a veteran. The airplane was down frequently for maintenance, which meant lost time for our students. Seminoles are fine multi trainers for schools which have the resources to maintain them, e.g., Riddle and FlightSafety, but are a burden for individual owners who lack these resources.

 

[Tater Salad]

I have only punched rough numbers, but it seems like it COULD (not guaranteed) to be cheaper. Also, I have been asking around more and I'm being told that a single engine would be the better way to go for most of all maintenance reasons as was said above. AV-ED at KJYO (the school I'm thinking of going back to) is renting 172P's for $101/hr. The A&P mechanics at the local airport have all told me that a 172P with a recent overhaul could very potentially be cheaper than $101/hr to operate.

One more thing. Does anyone know of a reliable source for obtaining operating costs for different aircraft? That could REALLY help me at this point. Thanks.

 

[bobbysamd]

AV-ED at KJYO (the school I'm thinking of going back to) is renting 172P's for $101/hr . . . .

I assume that is wet. With or without instructor? If it is without instructor, than you are being overcharged. With would be about right.

 

[Tater Salad]

Hey bobbysamd. Yes, the cost is wet. However, the cost is without an instructor. Instructor is another $39/hr. The school itself (www.av-ed.com) is a great school. I got my private there a couple of years ago, and I have a lot of trust in them. When I trained the 172P's were $78/hr. Rising airport costs at Leesburg, VA, and out of control fuel prices have obviously sent rental costs through the roof. I'm not the most knowledgeable person on operating costs, but I think I can do better with a personal aircraft (single engine) than $101/hr for operating costs. What do you think?

 

[bobbysamd]

Your own training airplane

[The] cost is wet. However, the cost is without an instructor. Instructor is another $39/hr. The school itself (www.av-ed.com) is a great school. I got my private there a couple of years ago, and I have a lot of trust in them. When I trained the 172P's were $78/hr. Rising airport costs at Leesburg, VA, and out of control fuel prices have obviously sent rental costs through the roof. I'm not the most knowledgeable person on operating costs, but I think I can do better with a personal aircraft (single engine) than $101/hr for operating costs. What do you think?

The dual charge is about right. Last I checked, here in Denver, 172s were going for $65 per hour, but that was before crude prices had gone out of control.

In that regard, fuel prices are something you need to consider. You also need to consider if it is worth your time to deal with everyday airplane operating hassles and their effect on your training schedule. You might think you're saving money but, in the long run, if unexpected maintenance comes up and it grounds you, training delays, the costs of extra flights and instructor time could eat up your savings. For these reasons, I would recommend against purchasing an airplane and being trained in it.