Remaining Current with no aircraft

KFA · Postby **KFA** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 5:50 pm

To setup a microlight school costs nearly the same as a ppl school. The planes, buildings, getting rated on the types, paying instructors etc. The main difference being that a ppl school can fly nearly the whole day and better utilize their planes and a lot of thier instructors are com pilot's wanting to build hours and are willing to work for 150 / hour. Then there is the issue of insurance. The more you fly the cheaper per hour, coming back to the amount of flying a Mpl school can do in a week. Then there is also the fact that we are better instructors

You must also remember that a ppl takes 45 hours and an mpl 25

RV4ker (RIP) · Postby **RV4ker (RIP)** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 6:08 pm

KFA wrote: are willing to work for 150 / hour.

Many for even half this

Bushpig · Postby **Bushpig** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 2:00 pm

So in the long run its cheaper to buy your own aircraft, pay off the loan, and fork out for running costs than to pay R500 every time you fly- especially if you are going to be flying often. The more you fly the cheaper it is!! That sounds good!

RV4ker (RIP) · Postby **RV4ker (RIP)** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 2:15 pm

Exactly. To give you example of actual case...

I used to H&F to do a weekly trip (4hrs a week)
Say at R750/hr the costs as follows....
R156000 for 52 weeks a year... for the 2080nm's... that equates to a cost of R75/nm

Bought aerie...
R500K
running costs per hr R400 all inn, but it double the speed...
Thus I now fly 2 hrs a week @ R400hr...
R41600 for the 2080nm's. That equates to R20/nm...

I exclude the capital cost as I can sell my aerie for substantially more than I bought it for, but the R:$ has helped there. if you include the cost of the plane over 5 years it would increase the costs by R100 a year, but still be marginally cheaper than renting.

I am sure microlights would be "cheaper" due to reduced capital cost. Bottom line is hrs. If you fly less than 100hrs a year rent. More than that it becomes "cheaper" to buy as long as you understand the risks. if you bend it the whole equation goes west, where with a rental you chuck in the excess and rent a different plane... NOTHING beats flying your own aerie....

my 2c...

Bushpig · Postby **Bushpig** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 7:54 am

Ok I have taken the plunge and bought my very own microlight. Bugger this begging, borrowing and stealing to keep current. Bought an Aquilla II with a Rotax 503 with 100hrs on it! Its pure white and looks very very cool. Been flying the whole weekend. Its hangered at Baps for the time being.

I just want to thank everyone for their friendly advice and help....it is much appreciated.

Postby **nicow** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 8:08 am

Bushpig
Congrats-There is nothing like your own trike.Enjoy it
Nicow
ZU-AWA

Andre · Postby **Andre** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 8:09 am

Good on you

Bushpig may you have enless and happy flying hours

Postby **Nkwazi** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 9:03 am

Congrats, whats your reg, I'll keep a listen out for you.

Thunderboy · Postby **Thunderboy** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 9:05 am

Well done hope your enjoy her

Bushpig · Postby **Bushpig** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 9:07 am

Nkwazi my reg is DOJ. Whats yours? Thanks again for the fiying offers really appreciate it.

RV4ker (RIP) · Postby **RV4ker (RIP)** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 11:21 am

how a bout a pic of said DOJie....

Bushpig · Postby **Bushpig** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 12:28 pm

Will put pics of DOJie up tonight. Funny thats the first thing I said when I saw the reg

Bushpig · Postby **Bushpig** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 1:29 pm

ZU-DOJ

Thunderboy · Postby **Thunderboy** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 1:39 pm

Nice

Are you going to be using DOJie to do game counting, catching poachers etc??

Bushpig · Postby **Bushpig** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 1:48 pm

Jup. DOJie will be use for veg serveys, GIS mapping, game counts, tracking animals with telemetry, and anti-poaching patrols. Much cheaper than a fixed wing or chopper.

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