Aircraft ownership - how can we dispel the rich toy myth?
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Aircraft ownership - how can we dispel the rich toy myth?
As a pretty brand new aircraft owner I've come to almost avoid telling people I own an aircraft in this short period. The reaction is always the same, perhaps best summed up by my dear mum "Have you gone nuts? Who do you think you are? You're not rich. You're always trying to be posh!"
Nothing could be further from the truth of course - as I said I rarely tell people I own an aircraft just because this is the reaction one inevitably gets. If I'd wanted to be posh, I would not have bought an old vintage aircraft, I would have gone for the M5. Aircraft ownership is truly the realm of old fogeys, to which I now belong. In fact, at 40 years of age I'm considered a youngster in these circles. I wish I would get laid left, right and center by young lovely ladies impressed by my aircraft ownership, but the truth is rather more sobering; I'll be sipping awful tepid tea in a leaking club house with other old fogeys nerding out about a strut or a magneto. Less sex appeal is hard to find. Less posh is also hard to find.
How did it come to this? How come owning a clapped out 152, or a Jodel, is seen as "trying to be posh, rich boys toys" but buying an Audi S4, BMW, or owning a boat, or going on vacation, or riding motorcycles, doesn't? They certainly won't cost any less as a hobby. An Audi S4 costs about twice as much to buy as my Aero Commander did. The payments, service and insurance would probably not be far off what I pay for flying 100hrs a year. If you're a boat owner, then lord have mercy on you. That will probably cost you twice as much as owning any aircraft, yet nobody would bat an eyelid at that. Any exotic hobbies, like go-carting, motocrossing etc would certainly cost as much if not more.
So I've decided to fight this and try my best to educate people from now on, and maybe also promote aircraft ownership and flying in the meantime. It's not that expensive compared to other things, even though the prices have gone through the roof. Or maybe I'm wrong in fighting it? Maybe I should embrace the "posh" cachet and revel in its exclusivity?
How do you justify it or argue it as an aircraft owner when that inevitable discussion comes up?
Nothing could be further from the truth of course - as I said I rarely tell people I own an aircraft just because this is the reaction one inevitably gets. If I'd wanted to be posh, I would not have bought an old vintage aircraft, I would have gone for the M5. Aircraft ownership is truly the realm of old fogeys, to which I now belong. In fact, at 40 years of age I'm considered a youngster in these circles. I wish I would get laid left, right and center by young lovely ladies impressed by my aircraft ownership, but the truth is rather more sobering; I'll be sipping awful tepid tea in a leaking club house with other old fogeys nerding out about a strut or a magneto. Less sex appeal is hard to find. Less posh is also hard to find.
How did it come to this? How come owning a clapped out 152, or a Jodel, is seen as "trying to be posh, rich boys toys" but buying an Audi S4, BMW, or owning a boat, or going on vacation, or riding motorcycles, doesn't? They certainly won't cost any less as a hobby. An Audi S4 costs about twice as much to buy as my Aero Commander did. The payments, service and insurance would probably not be far off what I pay for flying 100hrs a year. If you're a boat owner, then lord have mercy on you. That will probably cost you twice as much as owning any aircraft, yet nobody would bat an eyelid at that. Any exotic hobbies, like go-carting, motocrossing etc would certainly cost as much if not more.
So I've decided to fight this and try my best to educate people from now on, and maybe also promote aircraft ownership and flying in the meantime. It's not that expensive compared to other things, even though the prices have gone through the roof. Or maybe I'm wrong in fighting it? Maybe I should embrace the "posh" cachet and revel in its exclusivity?
How do you justify it or argue it as an aircraft owner when that inevitable discussion comes up?
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How do you justify it or argue it as an aircraft owner when that inevitable discussion comes up?
I see what you mean, and have known the same embarrassment. But frankly: as the new owner of a Rotax-powered 2-seater, I do find your Aero Commander posh. Which I think only good for you, still it leaves me slightly jealous. That you can afford to own such a plane is hard enough to bear, that you can afford to actually fly it is much worse.
Seriously, though: when I tell people I own an ultralight, which is the local legal description for what would be termed an LSA at yours, they think of a noisy 2-stroke engine and a flimsy rag-and-tubes construction. When they then see photographs, and get told the price I paid for it, I sometimes get feelings of "well done". It also helps that the vehicle I drive is the complete opposite of posh.
Seriously, though: when I tell people I own an ultralight, which is the local legal description for what would be termed an LSA at yours, they think of a noisy 2-stroke engine and a flimsy rag-and-tubes construction. When they then see photographs, and get told the price I paid for it, I sometimes get feelings of "well done". It also helps that the vehicle I drive is the complete opposite of posh.
Last edited by Jan Olieslagers; 24th Jul 2011 at 15:56.
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My sisters in law haven't spoken to me since I bought my wood & fabric "vintage" bug smasher for £16K. Which I'm quite pleased about. Though new BMWs & new houses of theirs seem ok.
I don't think Joe Public can see beyond a Lear jet as a "Private" aeroplane.
To try to explain the intricasies to them is a waste of flying time.
I don't think Joe Public can see beyond a Lear jet as a "Private" aeroplane.
To try to explain the intricasies to them is a waste of flying time.
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I'm not sure
By suggesting buying something, for 16k, is not unusual in the depths of a pretty awful recession, well....
There are lots of people struggling in the UK. Flying IS elitist, it just is. Trying to pretend it isn't is like Southampton FC trying to pretend they are a premiership force.
Money and poshness are not linked imho. I know lots of people who are "posh" but skint. I, myself, am a bit of an "oik" but yet relatively wealthy. Wayne Rooney is an excellent example of this!
There are lots of people struggling in the UK. Flying IS elitist, it just is. Trying to pretend it isn't is like Southampton FC trying to pretend they are a premiership force.
Money and poshness are not linked imho. I know lots of people who are "posh" but skint. I, myself, am a bit of an "oik" but yet relatively wealthy. Wayne Rooney is an excellent example of this!
Last edited by PompeyPaul; 24th Jul 2011 at 17:46.
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I see what you mean, and have known the same embarrassment. But frankly: as the new owner of a Rotax-powered 2-seater, I do find your Aero Commander posh. Which I think only good for you, still it leaves me slightly jealous. That you can afford to own such a plane is hard enough to bear, that you can afford to actually fly it is much worse.
Granted, only reason I can fly it is because it's in the US. Here I would be doomed at £2/litre - it would be suicide.
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How did it come to this? How come owning a clapped out 152, or a Jodel, is seen as "trying to be posh, rich boys toys" but buying an Audi S4, BMW, or owning a boat, or going on vacation, or riding motorcycles, doesn't? They certainly won't cost any less as a hobby. An Audi S4 costs about twice as much to buy as my Aero Commander did. The payments, service and insurance would probably not be far off what I pay for flying 100hrs a year. If you're a boat owner, then lord have mercy on you. That will probably cost you twice as much as owning any aircraft, yet nobody would bat an eyelid at that. Any exotic hobbies, like go-carting, motocrossing etc would certainly cost as much if not more.
Yes, they join me for a spin, but it sure feels that they think I am supposedly live above my means or at least try to be "higher" than them, for some kind of weird reason.
I keep it a bit quite too sometimes, about my recent purchase………..I know I have my Baby because of my passion, and not to impress others.
Pouring that plane-money in a new car, clothes and / or fancy holidays would definitely yield more attention………but I won´t!!
But, you´re battling an uphill battle…………..prejudice will always exist, Adam Frisch. I can give you maaaaaany other examples in my life where people just assume.
Cheers,
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I know lots of people who are "posh" but skint. I, myself, am a bit of an "oik" but yet relatively wealthy.
Edit: Silvaire yr right I did & provided I don't stuff it in one day I've still got it to sell when I'm too old crawl aboard.
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Extraordinarily, some people become millionaire looking for those little balls………..would they spend that money on flying????
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Extraordinarily, some people become millionaire looking for those little balls………..would they spend that money on flying????
And if they did spend it on flying they would soon not be millionaires
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Unfortunately in the UK even admitting to the need for a lawn tractor or all terrain vehicle puts you in the rich posh bracket. In order to be accepted here one has to have no more than a busted electric rotary mower & a bike!!
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Yeah, when I was at univ (1975-78) if you got invited to a party, telling a girl you were an "engineer" was an instant turnoff. The trendy thing to say was "unemployed" 
Of course this was (and is) the right approach for dumb women, but intelligent women were (and are) rarely to be found hanging out in the obvious places
Re the first post, I wouldn't bother justifying your flying. It is a massive uphill task. In most social contexts, it is best to not mention it. Obviously, intelligent / professional company is OK because they will understand.
Business travel brings new issues and again it is best to not reveal how you got there and, if you have to, say you have a PPL and rent it for the day, or you are in a syndicate (which gives a doubly good impression of being thrifty). It is only if you routinely deal with billionaries that you can freely fly in a nice plane to meet them. This of course has a direct impact on the utility value of GA.
Of course this was (and is) the right approach for dumb women, but intelligent women were (and are) rarely to be found hanging out in the obvious places Re the first post, I wouldn't bother justifying your flying. It is a massive uphill task. In most social contexts, it is best to not mention it. Obviously, intelligent / professional company is OK because they will understand.
Business travel brings new issues and again it is best to not reveal how you got there and, if you have to, say you have a PPL and rent it for the day, or you are in a syndicate (which gives a doubly good impression of being thrifty). It is only if you routinely deal with billionaries that you can freely fly in a nice plane to meet them. This of course has a direct impact on the utility value of GA.
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Flying IS elitist, it just is. Trying to pretend it isn't is like Southampton FC trying to pretend they are a premiership force.
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Unfortunately in the UK even admitting to the need for a lawn tractor or all terrain vehicle puts you in the rich posh bracket. In order to be accepted here one has to have no more than a busted electric rotary mower & a bike!!
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Quote:
Flying IS elitist, it just is. Trying to pretend it isn't is like Southampton FC trying to pretend they are a premiership force.
Quite. We are playing with rich mens' toys, there's not really any hiding it.
Flying IS elitist, it just is. Trying to pretend it isn't is like Southampton FC trying to pretend they are a premiership force.
Quite. We are playing with rich mens' toys, there's not really any hiding it.
Trouble with this UK is the perception that anyone with an "original" idea or lifestyle is fundamentally wrong for having it. Tackety boots & flat cap mentality.
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Sorry I don't go for that. You don't have to be rich to spend 6k on the licence & 16k on the a/c.
Yes there are beamers around the estates. They might have cost a lot when new, but just right now they're getting on for twenty years old and probably have negative scrap value.