USA Hour Building - Looking for Recommendations

[ellisr]

Hi, can anyone recommend a great place and plane that is available for hour building? Looking for an affordable IFR capable Single Engine piston at a location in the US which has favorable weather conditions year round and also has plenty of fun places to fly and explore.

Thanks.

[Victorian]

Northaire (http://northaire.com/), Prescott, Arizona has steam and glass 172's in a fantastic setting just 100 mi from the Grand Canyon. Year round good weather and cool at 5000' elevation at a FAA towered airport in class D surrounded by thousands of square miles of uncontrolled airspace and wonders of the world. Heaven on Earth! Disclaimer: just a renter - for 20 years!.

[mary meagher]

Hello ellisr! I would recommend Florida, year round good weather, and density altitude not a problem. As Florida is a big state, airfields everywhere; I even did some training in Orlando, and did a fair amount of flying at St. Petersburg, choice of two good airfields and plenty of choice of aircraft. And if any friends or family coming with you, a lot for them to do while you are working on your flying.

But never pay a lot of money up front! Seriously never a good idea. Pay as you fly. Of course the flying school would like you to devote all your flying to their business, but seriously, keep flexible, fly from the panhandle (the western area), also an excursion to the Florida keys can be delightful.

[B2N2]

Depending what your goals are a Florida - California return is approximately 50hrs flight time.
Will be more challenging but also more rewarding then just put-putting around the sky for a couple of hrs a day.
Plenty here have either done it or the local experience to give you advice or hints and tips.

[A and C]

Keep away from the usual suspects, go to small town America and get the service and prices that the Americans get uninfluenced by knowledge of the prices in Europe.

I did a lot of flying in a small town just west to Detroit , real unfashionable rust belt America but great people who charged realistic prices for both flying and accommodation.

[Maoraigh1]

IagreeI with A&C. Grand Junction, Colorado and Rapid City, South Dakota are places I've returned to. Good accommodation and food as well as aircraft rental, and settled weather.

[ellisr]

Thanks for the replies.

What about flying clubs? Is that a cheaper option? Any recommendations to check out?

[Mark 1]

Some friends of mine fly with the Flying Particles (http://flyingparticles.org/club-information/) club at Livermore CA (KLVK).

It's a member owned non-profit club, so you have to buy in, but can sell your share back when you leave.

[jamesgrainge]

I've had great service from Chandler Air Service in Chandler near Phoenix, rates are cheap, accomodation cheap, flights there cheap and convenient (if a little long) and solid sunshine. Booked in February with a plane all to myself!