Jaybird probably has a better feel for the passengers. It's 464 nm so what is that, about 3 hours in a 310? Remember that to non-pilots even King Airs look "small" and they have props! Atlanta to DC is also a route that most likely has many direct flights on the airlines.
still, the fastest piston airplane with five pac isnt gonna save that much time over driving. it vsn only take you so far. the sad truth about the practicality of piston planes over driving. well, with the exception of an sr22t!!!
still, the fastest piston airplane with five pac isnt gonna save that much time over driving. it vsn only take you so far. the sad truth about the practicality of piston planes over driving. well, with the exception of an sr22t!!!
If the flight is 135 that is a no-go.
If you were to find a MEI with a 421 to perform the flight as instructional flight......*
*Note for the traditionally humor and clueless, I do not advocate doing this as there are 12 ways til sunday for this to go wrong.
I like pointing this out just to annoy other pilots
For passengers, it is always remarkably faster to fly GA regardless of the aircraft type. "On-time" is whatever time you arrive at the FBO. The plane waits for you. And you get there without having to do any work or get molested. Board, take off, land, leave, done.
For pilots, we often leave out some details for ourselves. To get from FDK to MMK visiting family, it is a 5.5 hour drive door to door. "But it is only a 2.8 hour flight in the 150!" I say. But let's compare apples to apples. To fly in the 150, it is really 4.3 hours. The reality for flying one's own self is actually only about 1 hour saved.:
- 0.4hrs drive to FDK
- 0.2hrs preflight and load up
- 0.1hrs startup an taxi
- 2.8hrs flying
- 0.1hrs taxi and shut down
- 0.2hrs unload and secure
- 0.2hrs rental car BS
- 0.3hrs drive to Mom's house
That said, you can very easily make the argument that everything from pre-flight through securing is fun, and therefore the time spent is irrelevant
You are wrong. The best way to impress someone is to cram them into an old tatty cabin with one of them sitting up front with the pilot. Then start up those old piston engines with some backfiring too if you can manage that. Extra points for some smoke. For the actual trip itself stay low below the weather and give them an experience they will never forget because everyone likes rollercoasters right? Take three times longer to get them versus flying first class on Delta and twice the price.
You're guaranteed to make an impression.
'SplainIf the flight is 135 that is a no-go.
If you were to find a MEI with a 421 to perform the flight as instructional flight......
*Note for the traditionally humor and clueless, I do not advocate doing this as there are 12 ways til sunday for this to go wrong.
2hrs of driving, agreed.
Friends don't let friends drive minivans. But you're not my friend so go ahead.
Part 135, no one touches the controls, buttons, switches, radios, etc. unless they are trained and qualified per the certificate. If you tried to call it an instructional flight, that would make the duck quack, as you would be disguising charter as instruction.
I fly for Epps, so I appreciate all the recommendations. The Pilatus is our least expensive plane. I could guess about what the price would be, but I am usually better off leaving that up to our dispatchers who quote these trips every day.
It won't be cheaper than the airlines, but that isn't why you charter a plane. Convenience, schedule, destination, and "because I can" are better reasons.
PS, book the trip, I'd love to spend a weekend in DC.
Friends don't let friends drive minivans. But you're not my friend so go ahead.
. You know that every charter operator in the area knows the plane and has the FSDO on speed dial. Sooner or later, one of these 'instructional flights' is going to be met on the ramp at the destination.
Once you find someone who will do the charter for you they will determine whether or not they can operate out of any particular airport. They can also probably help you with the choice of airport if you tell them your final destination.