Numbers and usage !
The tall guy is more or less on the numbers for the C152 and as you can see the price comes down as the aircraft usage increases.
The biggest problem with aircraft is the lack of use that they get in the UK, the maintenance cost per hour rockets on under used aircraft as will the fixed cost per hour.
Group ownership is just fine untill the problems start, you will find that the 5 hour a year members will not want to spend anything on upgrading the radios etc (after all the aircraft costs them £213/hour). Then what happens when the aircraft has a big engine problem? If say at a 50 hour check metal is found in the oil filter and the engine has to be striped, you can expect a £6000 bill for that, will you all have to put your hands in your pockets?
chris_p you already have a PM from me with the details on how to get inexpensive hours with no cash up front and no risk and if a minimum cost.
If as you say the (F)ATPL is you goal you know who to call but if you want to fly an expensive under maintaned old dog and take the financal risk of unforseen costs get into this group.
My business model cuts out the "low use" problems of the UK, that is why I can supply a very good C152 at a low price and if you do all the things that I recomend you can fly for £55/hour.
Last edited by A and C; 16th October 2007 at 08:06.