iflyforfun
Pre-takeoff checklist
Go to be relocating back to the US from overseas from June through end of the year. Will likely be living in Fort Myers, FL. I haven't flown anything but ultralights for last 10 years while living in Hong Kong but have 400 hrs SEL in 172, Mooney and Velocity aircraft.
So crazy idea is as follows.
I've ALWAYS wanted a Pietenpol. They're pretty much always available for $12k-$17k. Thinking I pick one up, poke holes in the sky for 4 months (give myself 2 months to find one) and sell it on my exit. I have a former pilot father in the area that can handle the sale ... getting hanger space may be the biggest challenge. I figure even if I buy for $16k and sell for $12k 4-6 months later I'm only looking at $4k plus expenses ... so call it something like $8k for 4 months of having a plane I've always dreamed of and being able to drag my wife all about FL for a few months in open air comfort.
Looks like rental rates are in the $130/hr-$150/hr for the traditional spam can stuff so even $8k only gets me 60 hours and that's all in spam cans ... where's the fun in that? Ok, 60 hours in 6 months in a club is a good bit of flying. Additionally, with a proper plane we can do a bit more exploring ... not sure the wife would be up to a weekend in Key West via Pietenpol but popping down in a 172 or 182 would be a pretty easy ride.
Work is slow so I haven't been called a moron in a day or two. This "idea" isn't too well thought through (spongy potato anyone?) so light up the flame throwers or shoot me some love ... what say you?
So crazy idea is as follows.
I've ALWAYS wanted a Pietenpol. They're pretty much always available for $12k-$17k. Thinking I pick one up, poke holes in the sky for 4 months (give myself 2 months to find one) and sell it on my exit. I have a former pilot father in the area that can handle the sale ... getting hanger space may be the biggest challenge. I figure even if I buy for $16k and sell for $12k 4-6 months later I'm only looking at $4k plus expenses ... so call it something like $8k for 4 months of having a plane I've always dreamed of and being able to drag my wife all about FL for a few months in open air comfort.
Looks like rental rates are in the $130/hr-$150/hr for the traditional spam can stuff so even $8k only gets me 60 hours and that's all in spam cans ... where's the fun in that? Ok, 60 hours in 6 months in a club is a good bit of flying. Additionally, with a proper plane we can do a bit more exploring ... not sure the wife would be up to a weekend in Key West via Pietenpol but popping down in a 172 or 182 would be a pretty easy ride.
Work is slow so I haven't been called a moron in a day or two. This "idea" isn't too well thought through (spongy potato anyone?) so light up the flame throwers or shoot me some love ... what say you?