Request to rent a plane from a private owner with a compelling personal story!

[iflyforfun]

Bwahahahah, no. 20 years ago you could get an ancient C-150 dry for about that. You won't get 1/2 off, block rate is typically a 10% discount.

Someone once told me that it can't hurt to ask. I don't think it is impossible, just pretty unlikely. Back in 2005, I had a deal very much like this fall into my lap. A relocation by my company required me to sell my share in my 172 partnership. One of the partners happened to have a friend that lived not more than a few miles from where I was moving. He had just been diagnosed with cancer for the second time in the decade. He wasn't ready to sell the plane until he had a better feel for if/when he'd get his medical back, and he knew that would be around a year. I paid him a few hundred a month and something very close to $50/hr dry (I think it was actually $35, but I've forgotten). It was essentially my airplane. I flew it when I wanted, where I wanted and as much as I wanted. I could leave it full or leave it empty. He covered all maintenance and my monthly payment covered his tie-down and insurance.

He saw it as a way to reduce his holding cost on the plane. I saw it as a bargain. I flew the heck out of that plane for about a year until I bought my Velocity. It was a great deal for me and not a bad deal for him, but I came with a recommendation from a close friend. A few years later, I was relocated to China. Before pickling my Velocity, I contacted another friend of mine who was regularly flying his dad's 172. I made him a pretty sweat offer because I didn't want to pickle the plane, I didn't want to sell the plane, he'd flown the plane with me and I trusted him. The deal I offered him isn't too far off of what the OP is looking for.

These things happen on occasion. It is all about timing, trust and motivation (for the owner and the renter). I don't think it is a stupid question and see a lot of unnecessary bashing going on. Tell him its unlikely, okay. Tell him what he's likely to get, okay. Suggest realistic alternatives, okay. Tell his he's an idiot, a dropout/failure, clueless, etc and you've gone a bit far, in my opinion.

Oh yeah, and 10 years ago, I got an IFR equipped and nice if not perfect 172 for $50 or less. And the owner wasn't an idiot, he was an extremely wealthy and successful small businessman who had a need to keep his plane from being mothballed for a year and didn't want to put it on the line.

Stranger things have happened.

 

[JOhnH]

Bwahahahah, no. 20 years ago you could get an ancient C-150 dry for about that. You won't get 1/2 off, block rate is typically a 10% discount. Doesn't your AF base have a flying club? Typically they are the cheapest rates going.

Hey, Welcome back Henning!

I was going to mention checking out a base flying club too. They used to have one at the Glynco NAS (Brunswick GA) and the planes were not only the cheapest but the best maintained I have ever seen outside of privately owned planes. Of course, that was a long time ago. They closed that base in the '70s.

 

[Banjo33]

I was in a club for the last 2 years that had a 180 hp -172 and a Cherokee 180, both IFR with 430W (only one had an updated database). After the one-time $500'buy-in and $35/month dues, the airplanes rented for $70/hr wet. Not quite $50/hr, but not too dang far away from it either. Unfortunately, the -172 was crashed about a month ago. 25 members, online scheduling, and very good availability...I'm certain Ill never see as good a deal ever again, sure was great while it lasted though!

 

[poadeleted21]

Bwahahahah, no. 20 years ago you could get an ancient C-150 dry for about that. You won't get 1/2 off, block rate is typically a 10% discount. Doesn't your AF base have a flying club? Typically they are the cheapest rates going.

I know where he can get one wet for 60/hr. I paid 55 in 2008.

 

[RyanShort1]

Don't tell the original poster, but there is a good chance that he will get all his money back perhaps even have a couple of dollars more than what He put into the plane. especially if he purchases a very modest airplane like a Cessna 150.

his problem is that he has no conception of how expensive airplanes are to operate, I would rather he be pleasantly surprised at the end of his ownership experience rather than dead broke and bitter. But don't tell him I said this.

Guys, just so you know, I've met the guy (he came by Boerne last Friday night) and we talked. We discussed the whole buy a Cessna 150 or Cherokee 140 thing (that was my recommendation to him) and a few other options. He's not a bad dude, just needed some more information. It will be interesting to see what he comes up with. In his situation, he might be able to get a decent cheap airplane, fly it with a partner who's in the same boat, and perhaps come out a lot better off.

Ryan

 

[Mike5250]

Guys, just so you know, I've met the guy (he came by Boerne last Friday night) and we talked. We discussed the whole buy a Cessna 150 or Cherokee 140 thing (that was my recommendation to him) and a few other options. He's not a bad dude, just needed some more information. It will be interesting to see what he comes up with. In his situation, he might be able to get a decent cheap airplane, fly it with a partner who's in the same boat, and perhaps come out a lot better off.

Ryan

Nice of you to meet up with them... Really wasn't a bad story, just not very compelling.

Cessna 150 I fly is running $60/hr if I fly 10 hrs a month. That includes fuel, $15/hr reserve and fixed costs like insurance, tiedown, annual split with a partner.

If you buy one for 15k-20k you shouldn't lost much, if anything unless the engine blows up on you.

 

[Ghery]

Bwahahahah, no. 20 years ago you could get an ancient C-150 dry for about that. You won't get 1/2 off, block rate is typically a 10% discount. Doesn't your AF base have a flying club? Typically they are the cheapest rates going.

Actually, I paid $50/hr wet for a C-172N when I started flying in 2000. Club with monthly dues, but the FBOs wanted $80/hr wet for similar aircraft. They've gone up a bit since, but I can still fly that 172 for about $80/hr. FBOs are more like $120/hr. I'll be paying $111/hr for a 182 tonight.

 

[douglas393]

I think we can end this thread. We scared him off!

 

[Warrior]

I think we can end this thread. We scared him off!

There are some threads about the new higher fees to travel to the Bahamas by boat or air. Unfortunately flying to the Bahamas or flying period takes some cash. I wish it were 1970 again and I had my Pan Am flying club with one dollar a month dues in Tamiami airport available with 5 dollar an hour dry Cessna 150 rental and 42 cents a gallon gas but that is not what is happening in 2013.

 

[marcoseddi]

There are some threads about the new higher fees to travel to the Bahamas by boat or air. Unfortunately flying to the Bahamas or flying period takes some cash. I wish it were 1970 again and I had my Pan Am flying club with one dollar a month dues in Tamiami airport available with 5 dollar an hour dry Cessna 150 rental and 42 cents a gallon gas but that is not what is happening in 2013.

That sounds awesome! That's when soda was a nickel right?

 

[alfadog]

There are some threads about the new higher fees to travel to the Bahamas by boat or air. Unfortunately flying to the Bahamas or flying period takes some cash. I wish it were 1970 again and I had my Pan Am flying club with one dollar a month dues in Tamiami airport available with 5 dollar an hour dry Cessna 150 rental and 42 cents a gallon gas but that is not what is happening in 2013.

No, but Panair is still the best deal in town and one of the best in the country. I count myself lucky to have it available to me.

 

[Warrior]

No, but Panair is still the best deal in town and one of the best in the country. I count myself lucky to have it available to me.

Thanks for the information. I am glad to hear that it survived Pan Am's bankruptcy. I dropped my membership in 1978 when I moved to Sebring.

 

[Warrior]

That sounds awesome! That's when soda was a nickel right?

:wink2: I recall buying Grand Union store brand soft drinks for 10 cents for a 12 ounce can.

 

[alfadog]

Thanks for the information. I am glad to hear that it survived Pan Am's bankruptcy. I dropped my membership in 1978 when I moved to Sebring.

They are still going strong.