What airplane for my mission?

Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe

Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe

Touchdown! Greaser!
Joined
Jun 7, 2008
Messages
16,026
Location
DXO124009
Display Name
Display name:
Light and Sporty Guy
Looking at retirement, it’s clear that I will want to subsidize my income if I want to keep flying – so an aircraft that I can use to generate income would make the most sense. And, while I have a couple opportunities, there are some issues as well.

First of all, I don’t have an FAA medical so things like charters, banner tow, instruction are out the window. Also, I have to stick to aircraft that meet the LSA requirements. On the other hand, I live very close to the border – so that opens up some possibilities – if you know what I mean… So I thought I would throw this out to the collective POA intelligence.


Things that I think I will need:

LSA (a nudge-nudge-wink-wink LSA like the Carbon Cub?) since I don’t have a medical

I only need one seat, but, of course, I would want room to cram in cargo / you-know-who’s

Radar cross section – I’m not clear how helpful this would be, but it would seem to make sense. Opinions?

Reliable over the water capability – or should I look for something on floats?

What am I missing? What do you suggest?
 
How are you wanting to generate income?
 
There's a guy down in Venice near where I live that has an ultralight with floats, hangs out on the beach all day and takes tourists up for flights. On a good day makes over $1000....
 
They're already onto to you my friend. Seen any black, dark-tinted window Suburbans in the 'hood lately?
 
Caramon13 said:
There's a guy down in Venice near where I live that has an ultralight with floats, hangs out on the beach all day and takes tourists up for flights. On a good day makes over $1000....
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Get out! :eek:
 
mscard88 said:
They're already onto to you my friend. Seen any black, dark-tinted window Suburbans in the 'hood lately?
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No - but there are often white 'burbans with a big green stripe parked at the airport - they are usually in a shady spot and the guy inside is taking a nap. Really.
 
Do you want to instruct? You can get your Sport Pilot CFI without a medical or a commercial, at least you used to. That might be an option, but instruction isn't for everyone.
 
CFII... don't need medical for that, do you?

EDIT: Nevermind.. Should have known that. Medical needed.
 
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mscard88 said:
Get out! :eek:
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For serious :). It's not entirely "legal" what he's doing from what I hear, but a rental place in the area was looking into buying one of the same types of planes that this guy has for training/renting to people. Maybe to get a piece of the action..who knows..
 
For LSA and low radar cross section you'll want fabric over wood or carbon. As for floats, I imagine you would probably prefer your cargo sink to the bottom before the authorities can get to it. Your employer probably won't be pleased (that stuff isn't exactly insurable) so you'll have to trade that off.
 
Given your cargo and mission, why let the legality of a LSA limit you? I hear a 310 can haul a lot of crates. Filled with whatever.
 
I now realize I missed the joke and hidden meanings in the original post.

bluesky74656 said:
Given your cargo and mission, why let the legality of a LSA limit you? I hear a 310 can haul a lot of crates. Filled with whatever.
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The Aztec is probably a better choice given his intended operations.
 
bluesky74656 said:
Given your cargo and mission, why let the legality of a LSA limit you? I hear a 310 can haul a lot of crates. Filled with whatever.
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Don't you know that the FAA regulations are written in blood?

Plus, I couldn't log the time since it's a twin!!!
 
N659HB said:
Well, you must have paid attention in your English classes. Your grammar is some of the best on these pages.:eek:
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I despised English in HS, public HS mind you, and didn't do much better in college. Must have been all those BS performance reports I had to write in the Air Force on people that made them sound like they all walked on water. :)

Appreciate the comment though.
 
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mscard88 said:
I despised English in HS, public HS mind you, and didn't do much better in college. Must have been all those BS performance reports I had to write in the Air Force on people that made them sound like they all walked on water. :)

Appreciate the comment though.
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Our tax dollars at work!
 
Aircam.....nuf said.

Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe said:
Looking at retirement, it’s clear that I will want to subsidize my income if I want to keep flying – so an aircraft that I can use to generate income would make the most sense. And, while I have a couple opportunities, there are some issues as well.

First of all, I don’t have an FAA medical so things like charters, banner tow, instruction are out the window. Also, I have to stick to aircraft that meet the LSA requirements. On the other hand, I live very close to the border – so that opens up some possibilities – if you know what I mean… So I thought I would throw this out to the collective POA intelligence.


Things that I think I will need:

LSA (a nudge-nudge-wink-wink LSA like the Carbon Cub?) since I don’t have a medical

I only need one seat, but, of course, I would want room to cram in cargo / you-know-who’s

Radar cross section – I’m not clear how helpful this would be, but it would seem to make sense. Opinions?

Reliable over the water capability – or should I look for something on floats?

What am I missing? What do you suggest?
Click to expand...
 
Someone was about the publish an app of this topic... time to ping the project manager to see why we missed deadline

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
 
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