XL319 - UK vs. US Hour Building "Facts an Fantasy"!
XL319 quote:
"In the UK you can get 100 hours at £5920 (allow for slight variations) and this is for the same aircraft" (Cessna 150?):
This equals £59.20/hour.
So let us work this backwards (simple maths!):
£59.20 less VAT @17.5% = £8.82 = £50.38
£50.38 less Avgas @ 20 litres/hour @ £1.60/litre = £32/hour = £18.38
£18.38 less insurance @ £3,500/year = £4.66/hour (based on 750 hour annual utilisation) = £11.72
£13.72 less engine overhaul cost @ £5,000 = £2.77/hour (based on 1,800 hour TBO) = £10.95
£10.95 less .5 litres of W100 oil/hour @ £3.00/litre = £1.50 = £9.45
£9.45 less required scheduled maintenance of 4 x 50 hour inspections @ £150 each, less 2 x 150 hour @ £400 each less 1 annual inspection @ £1,000 = £3.20/hour = £6.35
£6.35 less unscheduled maintenance (avionics, instruments, tyres, brakes, interior, paint, general wear/tear and the CAA "Star" Inspection fee, etc.) @ £5/hour = operating profit of £1.35/hour!
The annual operating profit to the operator based on 750 hours annual utilisation = £1,012.50
In this "750 hour per year" operating scenario, (and lets face it, in the UK this is only a "dream" as most "busy" clubs struggle to get 500 hours/year/aircraft), the cost of operation on this most conservative basis is £60.55.
Not a good business model for the longterm?
In addition, the above costings do not include "hangarage", "parking" or "airfield landing card" etc. This alone could conservatively cost another £500 - £1,500 per year! Makes it even worse, (or better if it is a charity!).
Therefore OBA at £63.97/hour including "VAT", accommodation for 4 weeks, (that is next to the airfield, i.e. a short walk and no car/petrol @ £1.20+/litre to get there and back everyday), airport pick up/drop off, "club" check out, free "hand holding/advice" for 4 weeks, no landing fees, etc. etc., does seem like a bit of a "deal", even when you add £+/- £300/400 for the flight.
XL319: Please tell us all where this "magic" of operating Cessna 150's is performed? Oxfam Aviation?
Regards,
Adrian Thompson
President and Head of Training
OBA
P.S. Yes, you can take the aircraft away for the night as per the above post.
P.P.S. If you do not "get the hours in" because of reasonable circumstances out of your control, (weather limits etc.), you will get a full refund of your unused account balance.
P.P.P.S. If you are actually "serious" about your flying, e.g. "you get a plane scheduled for 3 hours you fly it for +/- 2 hours and 40 minutes and don't go up to Flagler everyday, (15 minutes), chat up the "bird in the bar" for 2 hours and fly back, 15 minutes! You will never have a problem at OBA. If you are here for 100 hours/4 weeks, have an aircraft scheduled for 250 hours and fly it for 37 hours over the 4 weeks, you will have a problem, i.e. you are taking the p1ss! Trust me, this happens all too often!
P.P.P.P.S. If you have just got your PPL and dream of wanting to "tour the USA", e.g. fly from Ormond to LA/NY and back, (or some other ridiculous 2,500+ mile cross country flight), we are not going to let you do it! We really like pilots to fly within their safe/experience limitations and come home in one piece!
P.P.P.P.P.S. www, sorry to be so frank and honest, it is just a problem I have! Just tell it like it is!
Last edited by OBA; 25th Jun 2008 at 03:21.