$6 avgas letter

[Seerjfly]

$6 avgas, I love it.

[Hangar10]

I hope it's not over... heck, I'm just getting started. I recently (2009) hung up my remote control airplanes in order to start on my first project... a Pietenpol Air Camper. While I do enjoy R/C, and hope to make time for it again in the future (mostly for my son's benefit), I hope it isn't because I can't afford to fly my Piet. It is hard enough to stay motivated at times, especially during the cold months... I'd hate to think that my years of work will just make for a nice static display because of govt. and environmentalist regulations/expense.

[Seerjfly]

.

[Hangar10]

I'm not giving up... just seems that fuel cost is the primary variable in our sport, and regardless of the type of aircraft a 50% increase is a 50% increase. I may only burn 5-6gph, but I will notice as we go from $5gal towards $7.50gal, or whatever it ends up being during my flying lifetime. Not much I can do about it (except vote)... I will continue to work on my project, but this is one of the reasons that people can't (or won't) afford to learn to fly or continue to fly, and it also makes it hard to recruit those that may be interested in flying to EAA. I know several people my age (late 30s) that are licensed who just don't participate in aviation anymore... cost is the primary factor. I'm sure that we all know people like that, but as a younger member and chapter leader/organizer, I'm finding it difficult to figure out how to encourage people to get involved. No matter how we approach the subject, we eventually get to the topic of cost, which is normally more than most are willing to budget in.

[LJM]

Please don't give up. Everyone has an opinion - ignore the ones you don't like, as it may not come to be anyway. While he may be a great mechanic, $900 fill up are not the norm for most, nor is the $1500. engine instruments. My gosh what did the piston airlines do for years before we had such technology? Nice yes, but really necessary....? The "fixed" cost of ownership is a far greater % of total cost for most of us, and definately for me. Between insurance (manditory- my wife said so), and hagar rent far exceeds my fuel budget. Fortunately, maintenance has been cheap for me.

As they say "cheer up things could be worse" I know it worked for me - I did, and sure enough, things did get worse!

Have a great new year!
larry

[stinsoner]

The Franklin 165 in my Stinson burns 10 gal/hr, around $50/hr in fuel costs alone. I tell people its not for the faint of heart. But as Larry has pointed out, the fixed costs are the lion's share of costs. Hangar rent, $4100/yr; insurance, $1000/yr; annual inspection, $500/yr; upgrades, variable, say $400; That's $6000/yr whether I fly or not. My annual fuel costs run $2000 for 40 hours of flying, which is typical for me. EGADS! OMG! I never added these costs up before! Anybody want to buy a Stinson?? Seriously, though, the airport is my social club; and aviation is my way of life. I'm fairly frugal in my lifestyle, so my airplane is my one indulgence. I am concerned for the high costs though because they are slowly killing the pastime. Light Sport has done nothing to lower costs. Somehow saving 3 gallons/hr fuel burn while you're renting a $150,000 light sport versus renting an old Cessna 152 valued at $30,000 doesn't compute in my brain. The Technams at my local airport are $175/hr dual. Who can afford that? I have found a C152 in the area that is $150/hr dual, still not cheap.

Dennis C.

[Mike Switzer]

I am hanging on, just barely, if it wasn't for the club & the fact I am a maintenance officer I might not be flying at these prices. As it is I only did 3 trips of any length this last year, one family trip 1.9 hours, one for business 1.9 hours, and one 1.4 hr cross country flight as part of getting checked out in our Arrow (which I'm still not done with). Other than that most of my flying this year has been for club maintenance. I budget some money for flying, hoping to stay somewhat current, but if any unexpected expense comes along that is the part of the budget that I get the money from. I'm not IFR or night current right now & I don't know when I will be.

[hydroguy2]

I fly, therefore I am.

I'm just a regular working stiff and probably shouldn't own an airplane. But I do. Fuel while is expensive at any cost doesn't keep me grounded, I just throttle back a little when puttering around. Burning 5-6gph vs 9-10gph. On trips I go high and lean as appropriate. Most of my expenses need paid whether I start the engine or not.

some people believe the sky is falling and aviation is dead. I chose to fire up the plane, go skyward and see if that's true....not dead here.

I committed acts of aviation twice this week.