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I think manufacturing has done well and states that rely less on tourism and more on basic manufacturing have done better. Foods and beverages etc. But I can tell you that here in LA, as just a micro-perspective, over 400000-800000 people (depending on who you trust) work in entertainment, and...

I looked in 2006-7 and then used aircraft actually appreciated, still. It was insane. By the time I bought in 2011, things had changed markedly and stuff was being given away. That depressed market continued until just about 2017 and then shot up again. Today it's insane again, and it makes zero...

Congrats! It's a great rating to have! Makes you a better pilot. And at least for me, after I got it I filed every time. Just makes flying so much easier and safer when they're doing the lookout. Use it!

Had partial engine failure in the old Twin Commander. Continued to destination in Chicago 45min away (Palwaukee), as all the nearer airports were very small and would not be able to fix problem. But in the end it created a different problem.: PWK is mainly jets and it was really hard to find a...

When I did it, they wanted to see the logbooks. So you open yourself and the plane up to unnecessary scrutiny, so unless you absolutely have to, I wouldn't mess with it.

Only went once, but it was great! I was the only twin there at the fly-in. People tended to avoid flying mid-day as it got pretty hot. Can also get very busy in the air there, so keep a good lookout. Do it!

Get a multi-rating and an Aerostar 601P. Sick bang for buck and will cruise at 200kts all day burning 25gal/hr.

Question for Bruce: met with an old friend yesterday that started training about a year and a half ago for his PPL. He was super excited and fast tracking it. When it was time for the student medical, he was truthful and said he'd taken Xanax in the past. Of course he got rejection. Deflated...

I'm confused. You thought you had a medical condition, that was then proven by doctors to, in fact, not exist. So you don't have it. Why was it then wrong to say "no" on the form?

They do need to be serviced by people that have done it before. They're complex twins and very tightly cowled. You don't want someone to learn on the job on your dime with these. That said, there are good shops with Aerostar experience in all states. If you buy one, I would recommend joining...

Yes, but they're actually one of the best supported used aircrafts there are. There is no part you can't get from factory at a moments notice. Not always the cheapest option, but they do have great service.

Think they've ticked up ever so slightly, but for some reason there's still a lot of resistance in the Aerostars market. I think it's a bit of an intimidating aircraft. A lot of the ones I see sit on the market longer than you'd expect. Took me over a year to sell mine, despite constantly...

I've followed the Turbo Commander market pretty religiously over the years, being a part of that world. About 2-3 years ago prices started ticking up. Back then you could get into pretty decent 690B's for about $300K. That's not they case anymore - it starts at $500K today.

When it comes to 421's they'll cost as much as a Turbo Commander/MU-2 to operate, give or take. Only thing you save is a little on the purchase price. Heck, has anyone checked on a GTSIO-520 overhaul recently? You won't get any change on $100K/side. That's for 1600hrs TBO and a cost of...

Aerostar is good choice. They'll do 1000nm on the standard tanks. With aux fuel tank, they can nudge 1500nm, but then payload is way down.

You probably had a -5 engine aircraft. The 690's also have a shorter wing, so tend to have to run a little more fuel to keep that speed compared to a long wing Jetprop. A -10 Jetprop will def do 297-300kts on less than 65gal/hr up there. Look at this video of my friends 980 at around 1:18 mark -...

Actually, they'll do 300kts on 60-65gals/hr. Garrett's can't be beat for fuel economy - they shame PT6's. She's high time, and high time 690's, even with -10 engines and a great panel, seem to top out around $800K. Anyone who's got more to spend, will go for the later Jetprop...

Aerostar's are great. But they're not short field airplanes and the cabin is a little cramped. But they fly like nothing else.

Wonderful travelogue, Katamarino. This is what aviation is all about. Reminds me of my (much shorter) travels in my first plane.

I took my first PPL in Sweden, then UK, then the US. In general, the reason they train here is due mainly to cost. And for higher ratings such as IR, the US way is easier, more cost effective and easily converted to an EASA IR. GA and infrastructure is second to none in the US. In Europe, it's...