So what would you do?
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So what would you do?
To keep it simple; I have been at a bit of a dead end with the challenges of GA flying and the associated costs and where to go with it all (to those that are going to comment they have heard it all before and are already formulating their demeaning responses in their minds simply stop reading and go elsewhere).
I have concluded that rather than stop flying or just do enough to keep legal (not necessarily current) I have decided to put £10k aside for flying. The thinking behind it is that it then becomes spent funds which I can become more comfortable about spending.
The question is what to spend this already 'spent' money on?
Now rather than list the alternatives I have in mind only for certain members to slate I leave the question open, other than to say there is no determined period it should be spent over.
To Date:
100hrs TT (SEP(L))
VFR only (no night)
BB
I have concluded that rather than stop flying or just do enough to keep legal (not necessarily current) I have decided to put £10k aside for flying. The thinking behind it is that it then becomes spent funds which I can become more comfortable about spending.
The question is what to spend this already 'spent' money on?
Now rather than list the alternatives I have in mind only for certain members to slate I leave the question open, other than to say there is no determined period it should be spent over.
To Date:
100hrs TT (SEP(L))
VFR only (no night)
BB
Why do it if it's not fun?
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Just my opinion... but that money could buy you a nice share in an aircraft. But the key thing is to make sure it's a friendly group.
Like a lot of hobbies, flying is most fun when it's done with other people. The main advantage of buying into a friendly group would be that you'd have friends to share a common interest with.... which would encourage you to stick in GA for longer.
From what you've said, I feel that this would be more successful than spending the money on training/ratings/experience.... because once you've completed the training, got the ratings, and experienced whatever you want to experience, you'll be left in exactly the same situation all over again, but £10k down.
FFF
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Like a lot of hobbies, flying is most fun when it's done with other people. The main advantage of buying into a friendly group would be that you'd have friends to share a common interest with.... which would encourage you to stick in GA for longer.
From what you've said, I feel that this would be more successful than spending the money on training/ratings/experience.... because once you've completed the training, got the ratings, and experienced whatever you want to experience, you'll be left in exactly the same situation all over again, but £10k down.
FFF
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FFF, thank you for a reasoned response. I have considered the share option and for reasons best not expressed on an open forum, other than to say there is nothing suitable, I have concluded that your suggestion is not currently a vialble option. Indeed it is as a consequnce of it not being an option that I am posing the question.
Vizsla, where the fcuk do you frequent brothels that £10k would only buy a week (assuming of course you are not paying for the time 'off')?
Vizsla, where the fcuk do you frequent brothels that £10k would only buy a week (assuming of course you are not paying for the time 'off')?
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By a share in a Jodel (or similar). Should cost about £3.5k for a 1/5 share, then about £35 per month and £45 per hour. You then get two years at 45 hours per year. At the end of that you either find more cash (£3500 a year) or you sell and spend the rest on hire.
Rod1
Rod1
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Rod1, WTF, please don't complicate it! I guess there is the option to approach those in the LAA and ask if they would consider offering a share in their beloved aircraft. Mmmm there is a certain RV4 that springs to mind, though I think it may be a long shot.
Not something that had even entered my mind, but thanks for confusing the issue.
BB
Not something that had even entered my mind, but thanks for confusing the issue.
BB
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Assuming your 10K isn't for purchasing a capital asset and is just for actual flying costs/spending money I think I'd get trained up on a Cirrus (or other competent machine) and then simply set aside a few weekends per year to take the Mrs/girlfriend/boyfriend/mistress somewhere in Europe for a long weekend in a nice hotel somewhere.
Flying is expensive, so if you're not going to do much of it why not make sure that every flight is a memorable one?
Sure your currency isn't going to be the best but within your budget you could have an hour with an instructor once per month to stay on top of things.
If you won a competition and the prize was a weekend for two in a nice hotel in some romantic European city, transport by private aeroplane included, you'd be delighted wouldn't you?
So just set the competition yourself and make sure you win!!!
Life is too short to wait for someone else to give you the prizes.
Flying is expensive, so if you're not going to do much of it why not make sure that every flight is a memorable one?
Sure your currency isn't going to be the best but within your budget you could have an hour with an instructor once per month to stay on top of things.
If you won a competition and the prize was a weekend for two in a nice hotel in some romantic European city, transport by private aeroplane included, you'd be delighted wouldn't you?
So just set the competition yourself and make sure you win!!!
Life is too short to wait for someone else to give you the prizes.
BB - Before I add my two pennorth could I just clear a couple of things up.
Are you in the UK?
Is a share a good idea for you? It wasn't when FFF suggested it but seemed to be when Rod mentioned it.
I just wanted to clear those up to make sure my response made some sense.
Are you in the UK?
Is a share a good idea for you? It wasn't when FFF suggested it but seemed to be when Rod mentioned it.
I just wanted to clear those up to make sure my response made some sense.
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You could look into hire-and-fly in Southern Africa in the european winter, or in the USA during summer. Either will permit you to get more hours for the same money in a vastly more GA-friendly environment. Not to mention the buzz of flying over endless open wide spaces.
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J.A.F.O. I am indeed in the UK and the apparent change of heart is due to never having considered the possibility of LAA members being prepared to share their treasured possession. I do not believe there is a suitable C of A machine available that I would consider a share in, however Rod1 has me considering the possibility of asking LAA members and now has me thinking of those owners with CoA machines that are not currently part of a syndicate. In my view the down side of a share (which is an option) is that it would use a significant portion of the available capital only to remain on the burger run and do little for my desire to improve my skills. A share is an option, but would it be the best value for money?
Doodlebug, I absolutely agree that flying in the US is a different experience in all respects, however if it was down to an annual vacation then I would probably not bother. My view is that I need to be flying here in the UK and any such trip should be the icing on the cake.
BB
Doodlebug, I absolutely agree that flying in the US is a different experience in all respects, however if it was down to an annual vacation then I would probably not bother. My view is that I need to be flying here in the UK and any such trip should be the icing on the cake.
BB
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BB, Join the LAA in the back of the magazine is asection in the classifieds titalled shares for sale.
Also get down to your local airfields or better yet strips. There will be a notice board with shares for offer.
Join your local strut, go to the meetings you'll soon find plenty of people who are looking for shareholders.
Most private pilots will struggle to get good utilisation of there aircraft so shares makes sense as the finacial burden is spread and the use goes up.
A slightly risky stratgy is to buy an aircraft yourself and then sell shares in it to recoup most of your costs.
Oh and I doubt you'll get much of a share in an RV4 for £10K. Think Jodel, condor, RANS S6 or similar.
Also get down to your local airfields or better yet strips. There will be a notice board with shares for offer.
Join your local strut, go to the meetings you'll soon find plenty of people who are looking for shareholders.
Most private pilots will struggle to get good utilisation of there aircraft so shares makes sense as the finacial burden is spread and the use goes up.
A slightly risky stratgy is to buy an aircraft yourself and then sell shares in it to recoup most of your costs.
Oh and I doubt you'll get much of a share in an RV4 for £10K. Think Jodel, condor, RANS S6 or similar.
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I agree with A_Pommie. Join your LAA local strut, it's there that you will find out more about affordable flying in your area. With LAA types and also fixed wing microlight (which I fly) 5k will get you a share and the other 5k could get you around 150 hours of flying 
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BB,
but what appeals to you most in flying so far? Is it improving your skills, learning new things? In that case maybe the money would be well spent on an additional rating (e.g. IR). Or perhaps aerobatics? Maybe trying to gain experience on various types, e.g. Cessna, Cirrus, taildragger, something vintage? PPL(H)? Or something quite exotic, e.g. a floatplane rating or mountain course?
Is it the views, being able to experience the world from a different viewpoint? The adventure? In that case maybe a european tour, perhaps even two? A flight to north Africa? Scandinavia? Russia perhaps?
Is it the social side? In that case the share option might be for you, but then again 10k is not going to buy you much of an aircraft, and a lot also depends on how much you can spend per annum afterwards.
Golf-Sierra
but what appeals to you most in flying so far? Is it improving your skills, learning new things? In that case maybe the money would be well spent on an additional rating (e.g. IR). Or perhaps aerobatics? Maybe trying to gain experience on various types, e.g. Cessna, Cirrus, taildragger, something vintage? PPL(H)? Or something quite exotic, e.g. a floatplane rating or mountain course?
Is it the views, being able to experience the world from a different viewpoint? The adventure? In that case maybe a european tour, perhaps even two? A flight to north Africa? Scandinavia? Russia perhaps?
Is it the social side? In that case the share option might be for you, but then again 10k is not going to buy you much of an aircraft, and a lot also depends on how much you can spend per annum afterwards.
Golf-Sierra
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It seems in the attempt not to embellish the situation too much and have the usual suspects tear it to shreds I may have underdone it?
My initial thoughts were the £10k would be for flying (rather than buying a share, although this could be an option) and the options of FI, IMCr, float etc were more in my thoughts, however in themselves they have disadvantages in as much as it is back to local flying (depending on the option) with an instructor in the right hand seat.
Ultimately the objective is to use the money for something a bit more constructive and beneficial than the burger run, or burning holes in the sky in the local area.
I guess if it was an easy decision then there would not be a need to ask for others opinions?
Thanks for your thoughts so far.
BB
My initial thoughts were the £10k would be for flying (rather than buying a share, although this could be an option) and the options of FI, IMCr, float etc were more in my thoughts, however in themselves they have disadvantages in as much as it is back to local flying (depending on the option) with an instructor in the right hand seat.
Ultimately the objective is to use the money for something a bit more constructive and beneficial than the burger run, or burning holes in the sky in the local area.
I guess if it was an easy decision then there would not be a need to ask for others opinions?
Thanks for your thoughts so far.
BB
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10K would get you a very reasonable glider, with your previous experience I doubt it would cost you more than 500 quid to get your glider ticket, then virtually free flying for good.
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The Jodel is a TW machine so it will improve your flying. It will also allow you to explore the huge number of strips, which have sprung up. It is also capable of serious European touring 2 up with camping gear if that is what floats your boat. The main benefits are availability, you do not have to worry about the cost and you can fly a decent amount to improve. The numbers I quoted are based on a group which operates near my home base.
Rod1
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Rod1 - I am intrugued by this "The Jodel is a TW machine so it will improve your flying. It will also allow you to explore the huge number of strips, which have sprung up" Are the 2 synonymous or am I missing something. Thanks
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.... try flying a gyro
I'd suggest learning to fly a gyro, but then I would, wouldn't I! 
You would still have plenty of cash left over to do a few hours in helicopters, float planes, Microlights, gliders, paramotors etc etc - you could have a ball! There's more to flying than just aeroplanes!
You would still have plenty of cash left over to do a few hours in helicopters, float planes, Microlights, gliders, paramotors etc etc - you could have a ball! There's more to flying than just aeroplanes!