Why flight schools are getting rid of C1

[Airpiraterob]

i can understand it...i mean c'mon with the increased portions at McDonalds and everywhere else of course two people arent going to fit in the 152 anymore. look at when it was designed....yeah...during the granola craze. c'mon everyone was smoke-happy and Yoga and martial arts hit bigtime. now with smoking going away people are turning to the new supersized meals to feed their munchies and the martial arts is all on video game.

wasnt too long ago (3 years?) when the medium now was the large then....

 

[SDdriver]

As far as insurance, YEAH big problem, after the fall of 2 of the main companies, the rates went through the roof. I think it cost around 5000 a yr to get insurance on a 172sp. about 2500yr on a 152. THat is crazy.

When I started flying, 152's were 30/hr wet 172 40/hr and a dutchess 115/hr

Now at the flight school down the road, 152 70/hr 172 115hr (SP/R/XP) dutchess 165/hr

Crazy thing, I can't even go get checked out in the dutchess cause the guys insurance requires 25 in type. Jesus, no matter that I have the multi hours I have, we want 25 in a dutchess. Amazing I can be insured to fly a 2 million dollar aircraft with couple of mil in freight on board, but I can't get insured to fly a dutchess alone? Go figure. Who do you think thought that one up?

SD

 

[KigAir]

The FBO I fly out of has 2 C172 Sp's, 1-2002 and 1- 2003, each rents for $98 per hour. Both are nice aircraft but i feel they are over rated.

 

[stillaboo]

Whatever 172 I flew in 2000 (brand new), it was called 'the cadilac of airplanes' by the instructors there. It was really nice to fly, really smooth (compared with the 1970's 172's and the 152's). Was it worth the extra $? Well, I paid to use it for my long XC over Lake Oakachobee and paid the extra to use if for my PPL ride. I'd rent a caddy for the examiner any day of the week.

'Course my ride now is way more pimp than any 172. Nothing says pimp like FADEC!

-Boo!

 

[Khirsah]

It all depends on where you are. We charge $109/hr for a C172S Millennium Edition.

Guys on the other side of town charge $125/hr for a C172S. You can purchase an instructor there for another $45/hr. Yep. That's right, $170/hr for instruction in a 172.

But as to 152s. Dunno about other areas, but here we only have 1. We've got 4 172s. We'd put more 152s on line but no one rents them. On a good day we'll put 6 to 8 hours on our 172s and our Archer. We'll put about 3 to 5 on our Arrow. On a good day we'll put 1 to 2 hours on our 152.

I guess with our customers when given the choice between a 4 seat airplane with KLN89Bs or KLN94s, one or two-axis autopilots, and more speed for $105 to $109 or a 2 seat airplane with one navcom that cruises about as fast as I drive at $75/hr, they're willing to pay more for what they get. Not that the 152's not a great plane. It's just....who can resist the big flashy blinky gadgets?

 

[JeffSKDTW]

Not that the 152's not a great plane. It's just....who can resist the big flashy blinky gadgets?

Not me. I did my private and instrument training in a 2003 172R....call me a sucka.

 

[U-I pilot]

i did most of my primary in 152's however during my training the FBO sold the 152's andnow uses all 172's. The P model was cheaper so thats what i flew. Went back to check on rental rates and the R's were 120/hr wet!!! Then when i humored them about asking about the checkout the instructor was 48/hour and it was a 2 hour checkout. I found a place on the same airport with older 172's (M model) going for 68/hr wet. Money much better spent i'd say. I cant believe what some people charge for not so updated equiptment.

 

[de727ups]

The mighty 152...

I'm starting a flight school with an A152 aerobat. Just got it decked out with an IFR approach approved Garmin 430. It will sell for $60/hr. I'm 160 lbs and find it's performance with someone my size to be just fine (2000 msl airport). Will use it for IFR training, too. Can see why some don't like it cause of it's size...or should I say, their size.... It's cheap to maintain and cheap to fly. Insurance was way more than it's worth....they wanted $4500 a year for a 30K hull and one mil liability. I opted for liability only, ($1650), since the plane is payed for, and will ask for renters insurance to solo (300/yr) unless you agree to pay for any damage you cause.

I wouldn't touch a new 172, since a late 70's model that is upgraded can do the same job. Some people just like new planes....that's fine if they want to pay the price.

 

[Dean]

For what its worth. I paid $80 for a wet plane and a good instructor while flying in a 1978 (i think) C172. The solo wet rate is $55. This rates are still current. If it would have been over a hundred, I guess i still would be wondering what flying was really like.

 

[JimNtexas]

The OMF Symphony and Liberty XL2 for around $140K seem like potentially great trainers compared to a $165k Skyhawk.