What do I feel is a major deterrent in whether or not a person will begin their flight training and finish? Attitude. Not just the attitude of the person learning to fly, although that is extremely important, but I'm talking about the influences around the person. The pilots he/she comes into contact with whenever they are at the airport. As much as working behind a desk stinks compared to flying, it still never ceases to open my eyes. And while I sit and wait for what seems an endless amount of time, I can't help but analyze attitudes - my own and that of others.
So maybe you can tell me: what is it with all pilots? Why do we walk around with a chip on our shoulder? It's like we walk around projecting the fact that we're so much better than everyone else, and that no one should dare to contest that. I can't seem to figure out why I instantly don't like 90% of pilots I come across. Is it the fact that I am just like them, and therefore think I'm better? Or am I one of the few with a better attitude. I honestly can't say.
What I can say is we should all work on our attitude. There is always talk about getting more people to fly, to open the world to those yet to discover the passion that is aviation. I almost feel like we're doing the exact opposite. Who wants to be like someone they feel is arrogant, proud, or belligerent?
The fact that I sit behind the front desk in an FBO gives me a clue into maybe what the world of aviation is like to those who have always been interested but maybe have never taken that next step. Whenever a pilot comes in (this is a usual scenario, there are some exceptions), they assume I know nothing about flying, they have no idea I'm a flight instructor and that I've been around aviation for several years (short but long enough). I cannot say how many times I've been talked down to or been treated in such a demeaning way it felt embarrassing to stare at the person. I don't want this to be a pity party on me, but rather, a wake up call. Stop treating people like they're "oh so lower than thee". They're not. You never know, maybe your impression is the one that will make them decide and say, "hey, aviation is great" or "wow, the people in aviation are stuck up".
So I'll be working on keep my attitude in check, and hopefully we can all do the same.
To first impressions and good attitudes,
Up in the Air
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Owning an Airplane
Happy 4th of July to everyone! Hope the long weekend is going well for all and quality time is spent with your families!
My last post was more or less about the benefits of flying. When comparing fuel consumption of an airplane verses a fuel-efficient car, there isn't much of a difference, in fact the costs associated with fuel is virtually equal. Of course, the larger the car, the more gas it eats up, and the same goes for an airplane. Keeping that in mind, think about your budget for a car. You can buy a brand new semi-luxury SUV starting at $35,000 and upwards. A decent Cessna 172 can be bought used (1975ish) for $30,000-$40,000 and of course for more the newer or more "refurbished" you decide to go. Either way, not bad for the reasons I pointed out in my last post. If I was in the market for another car (of course I won't be anytime soon...but I'm paying off student loans), I'd probably go out and buy a used one for $5000 and buy an airplane to go with it.
Now don't use my spontaneity as an excuse to make a rash decision. Sit down and figure out the costs - insurance, upkeep, hangaring, etc...ask around and make a list, try to think of all that is the unexpected.
Looking at insurance, for a private use airplane the insurance can range considerably, so shop around. Using AOPA's aircraft insurance QuikQuote I looked up the cost for a 1970-1979 Cessna 172. It came to $785 annually with the following conditions:
*4 Seats
*Airport State: California
*Not owned in the name of a business
*Not hangared
*Liability Coverage: $1 million each occurrence - $100,000 per passenger sub limit
*Physical (Hull) Damage Coverage: Ground and Flight
*Insured Value: $35,000
*Medical Payments: no selection
*Private Pilot with 100 hours total time and all of that in the same make and model
The more experience and ratings you receive the less that number will become, just as it is with a car. Use the following link to search in your own state and with your own variables: https://www.aopaia.com/quik_insurance.cfm
Again, to get more precise numbers be sure to talk to an insurance company representative, they can factor in much more than you would be able to with a quick calculator.
The other major consideration is maintenance of your airplane. Realize that the older the airplane, just as with an older car, the more you will most likely be paying. But then of course, if it is a well-maintained airplane, and has been over the years, your maintenance headaches will be fewer.
I hope this helps, I'm no expert on the subject of owning an airplane - I firmly believe you have to have either managed many, or been an owner yourself, of which I've been neither. At the least, I hope this points you in the right direction.
Thanks for stopping by,
Up in the Air
My last post was more or less about the benefits of flying. When comparing fuel consumption of an airplane verses a fuel-efficient car, there isn't much of a difference, in fact the costs associated with fuel is virtually equal. Of course, the larger the car, the more gas it eats up, and the same goes for an airplane. Keeping that in mind, think about your budget for a car. You can buy a brand new semi-luxury SUV starting at $35,000 and upwards. A decent Cessna 172 can be bought used (1975ish) for $30,000-$40,000 and of course for more the newer or more "refurbished" you decide to go. Either way, not bad for the reasons I pointed out in my last post. If I was in the market for another car (of course I won't be anytime soon...but I'm paying off student loans), I'd probably go out and buy a used one for $5000 and buy an airplane to go with it.
Now don't use my spontaneity as an excuse to make a rash decision. Sit down and figure out the costs - insurance, upkeep, hangaring, etc...ask around and make a list, try to think of all that is the unexpected.
Looking at insurance, for a private use airplane the insurance can range considerably, so shop around. Using AOPA's aircraft insurance QuikQuote I looked up the cost for a 1970-1979 Cessna 172. It came to $785 annually with the following conditions:
*4 Seats
*Airport State: California
*Not owned in the name of a business
*Not hangared
*Liability Coverage: $1 million each occurrence - $100,000 per passenger sub limit
*Physical (Hull) Damage Coverage: Ground and Flight
*Insured Value: $35,000
*Medical Payments: no selection
*Private Pilot with 100 hours total time and all of that in the same make and model
The more experience and ratings you receive the less that number will become, just as it is with a car. Use the following link to search in your own state and with your own variables: https://www.aopaia.com/quik_insurance.cfm
Again, to get more precise numbers be sure to talk to an insurance company representative, they can factor in much more than you would be able to with a quick calculator.
The other major consideration is maintenance of your airplane. Realize that the older the airplane, just as with an older car, the more you will most likely be paying. But then of course, if it is a well-maintained airplane, and has been over the years, your maintenance headaches will be fewer.
I hope this helps, I'm no expert on the subject of owning an airplane - I firmly believe you have to have either managed many, or been an owner yourself, of which I've been neither. At the least, I hope this points you in the right direction.
Thanks for stopping by,
Up in the Air
Thursday, July 1, 2010
To Fly or Not to Fly: The Benefits
To fly or not to fly? If you're me, that's no question at all. I'd fly a plane until the wings flew off...of course, hopefully I'd have a parachute on and a prayer in mind, I'd also have to do it where no FAA guy would find out, and of course I'd have to either have enough fuel on board or refueled many, many, many.........many times, in the air. Why I wouldn't take the time to stop for gas on the ground is a question I can't really answer - maybe it just makes sense, so that's why I wouldn't. But on to the entire point of this....so....
You've heard of aviation, pilots, airlines, air travel and such. Maybe you've been interested in planes. Maybe you've been interested in flying. Maybe you've never had an interest in either or perhaps in something else... You might be thinking flying is too expensive for you, it's an expensive hobby with not much to show in the end. Maybe not. Maybe your family doesn't support the idea, maybe you don't support the idea.
Believe it or not, these are extremely common situations, and I see it nearly every day. I was working just the other day and overheard a conversation on very similar topics (yes, I was eaves-dropping, but sometimes you can't help it in a quiet building, so shhh...). A man who hangars his airplane at the airport, took some acquaintances flying. From the looks of it, they were not close friends, they were friendly with each other of course, but the only reason he seemed to have taken them flying was to show them how much fun it was and to be open to them. At the end of their flight they began talking about both the expenses and the conveniences of flying. It hit home for me. This man did a great job of being realistic about it all, remaining enthusiastic the whole time.
What does it all boil down to? It boils to down to worth. What is flying worth to you? Do you care if you spend and don't receive anything back but the intangible, or are you the type that weighs the costs and benefits - looking for what you will get in return?
For example:
You need to drive somewhere that will take you six hours in a car. In a plane, say a Piper Warrior or Cessna 172 , you can get there in maybe two and a half hours. Not looking at anything else, is this worth it to you?
Lets look at a time table. You have a lunch meeting (business or pleasure, you pick) that will last maybe 2 hours. You're meeting everyone at 11:30am. In a car, you will need to leave at...(any guesses?), hopefully 5:30am...planning on no traffic. Okay, so you make it on time, and everything is wrapped up by 1:30pm. You say your good byes, and after filling up on gas you're on your way again by 2pm. With no traffic , and no stops, you'll be getting hope around 8pm. Long day? I know I would hit the hay after that...but then again, I'm not a morning person. In a plane you might plan on being at the airport by 7:30 to be safe and taking off by 8:30am, giving you half an hour to get from the airport you're arriving at (11:00am arrival) to wherever you need to be. Again lunch is up by 1:30pm and you're on your way to the airport by 2:00pm. You take off by 3:00pm (being conservative) and arrive at your home airport by 5:30 pm. No sooner than you land, you're greeted by your wife or husband when you walk in the door at 6:00pm. Dinner is on the table, and you're hungry! Eat up, then go relax. If you're me, you'd enjoy that - maybe get in a good movie before you're off to bed, because after all, you didn't get up before the sun.
Let's quickly look at finances...Assume you own your airplane, I have never owned an airplane, and don't deal with maintenance and insurance, so that would be something you would have to do your own homework on for now. This is what I do know: My car, if I'm not driving like a maniac, gets about thirty miles per gallon. Lets assume that six hour trip is 360 miles and I drive sixty miles per hour the entire time...that's using twelve gallons of gas one way, and twenty-four gallons round trip. At $3 a gallon, that's $72. I can usually lean out a Piper Warrior to burn six gallons per hour. On a two and a half hour trip that's fifteen gallons. At roughly $4.75 per gallon, round $71.25 up to $72, and it's the exact same fuel cost.
What is time worth to you? If time doesn't matter, how about the fun? What is the enjoyment worth? What is it worth to your family to see you home for dinner? Is it worth maintenance and insurance? You may have another reason to fly, that I haven't thought of just yet. Whatever your reason, think about it - what you come up with may surprise you (or I could be wrong...I admit I sometimes am, okay, I can't admit that but you get my point...I think).
Happy flying, and see you next time.
Yours truly,
Up in the Air
You've heard of aviation, pilots, airlines, air travel and such. Maybe you've been interested in planes. Maybe you've been interested in flying. Maybe you've never had an interest in either or perhaps in something else... You might be thinking flying is too expensive for you, it's an expensive hobby with not much to show in the end. Maybe not. Maybe your family doesn't support the idea, maybe you don't support the idea.
Believe it or not, these are extremely common situations, and I see it nearly every day. I was working just the other day and overheard a conversation on very similar topics (yes, I was eaves-dropping, but sometimes you can't help it in a quiet building, so shhh...). A man who hangars his airplane at the airport, took some acquaintances flying. From the looks of it, they were not close friends, they were friendly with each other of course, but the only reason he seemed to have taken them flying was to show them how much fun it was and to be open to them. At the end of their flight they began talking about both the expenses and the conveniences of flying. It hit home for me. This man did a great job of being realistic about it all, remaining enthusiastic the whole time.
What does it all boil down to? It boils to down to worth. What is flying worth to you? Do you care if you spend and don't receive anything back but the intangible, or are you the type that weighs the costs and benefits - looking for what you will get in return?
For example:
You need to drive somewhere that will take you six hours in a car. In a plane, say a Piper Warrior or Cessna 172 , you can get there in maybe two and a half hours. Not looking at anything else, is this worth it to you?
Lets look at a time table. You have a lunch meeting (business or pleasure, you pick) that will last maybe 2 hours. You're meeting everyone at 11:30am. In a car, you will need to leave at...(any guesses?), hopefully 5:30am...planning on no traffic. Okay, so you make it on time, and everything is wrapped up by 1:30pm. You say your good byes, and after filling up on gas you're on your way again by 2pm. With no traffic , and no stops, you'll be getting hope around 8pm. Long day? I know I would hit the hay after that...but then again, I'm not a morning person. In a plane you might plan on being at the airport by 7:30 to be safe and taking off by 8:30am, giving you half an hour to get from the airport you're arriving at (11:00am arrival) to wherever you need to be. Again lunch is up by 1:30pm and you're on your way to the airport by 2:00pm. You take off by 3:00pm (being conservative) and arrive at your home airport by 5:30 pm. No sooner than you land, you're greeted by your wife or husband when you walk in the door at 6:00pm. Dinner is on the table, and you're hungry! Eat up, then go relax. If you're me, you'd enjoy that - maybe get in a good movie before you're off to bed, because after all, you didn't get up before the sun.
Let's quickly look at finances...Assume you own your airplane, I have never owned an airplane, and don't deal with maintenance and insurance, so that would be something you would have to do your own homework on for now. This is what I do know: My car, if I'm not driving like a maniac, gets about thirty miles per gallon. Lets assume that six hour trip is 360 miles and I drive sixty miles per hour the entire time...that's using twelve gallons of gas one way, and twenty-four gallons round trip. At $3 a gallon, that's $72. I can usually lean out a Piper Warrior to burn six gallons per hour. On a two and a half hour trip that's fifteen gallons. At roughly $4.75 per gallon, round $71.25 up to $72, and it's the exact same fuel cost.
What is time worth to you? If time doesn't matter, how about the fun? What is the enjoyment worth? What is it worth to your family to see you home for dinner? Is it worth maintenance and insurance? You may have another reason to fly, that I haven't thought of just yet. Whatever your reason, think about it - what you come up with may surprise you (or I could be wrong...I admit I sometimes am, okay, I can't admit that but you get my point...I think).
Happy flying, and see you next time.
Yours truly,
Up in the Air
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