Rental Airplane Condition

[Alexb2000]

I haven't rented an airplane in a long time. This week I did when I rented a DA-42 for $335 per hour, plus $2.50 insurance, plus fuel surcharge of $20 per hour, etc.

For that kind of money I expect a CLEAN aircraft in full working order. This was a 2007 aircraft. It was filthy dirty, windshield covered with bugs, trash inside, seats stained, and it smelled like an old jock strap. The KAP140 autopilot was all over the place, strobes were out, etc.

It is so hard to get people interested in learning to fly, then when you do, their first experience is something like this. This is completely unprofessional and certainly not a confidence booster for someone about to take this thing into the air.

I can rent a car for $30 a day and never have to deal with this kind of crap.

This industry really needs some better management.

Is this typical? What are the rentals like?

 

[TMetzinger]

All depends on the operator and the "culture" they build.

The places I rent from teach their students and renters that they are expected to care for the airplanes. That means cleaning the windscreen, taking out the trash, etc. They "spruce" them up weekly with febreze and such. Most maintenance is done fairly quickly, though on older airplanes it may be deferred until the next scheduled interval if not an airworthiness issue.

We wouldn't operate an airplane with strobes out.

I fully agree with your expectations.

 

[Anthony]

I I rented a DA-42 for $335 per hour, plus $2.50 insurance, plus fuel surcharge of $20 per hour, etc.

For that kind of money I expect a CLEAN aircraft in full working order.

Holy cr*p!!! So essentially it was $355/hour? I know it's a twin, but c'mon. You should expect a very nice airplane for that money.

 

[Alexb2000]

The places I rent from teach their students and renters that they are expected to care for the airplanes. That means cleaning the windscreen, taking out the trash, etc.

Most places say that, but I don't have the Plexus and towels for the windscreen, I'll take out my own trash, but I'm not going to detail the airplane for them. I'm saying that the FBO, school, whatever, needs to get real, get off their ass, and quit expecting someone paying these rates to do it all for them.

I'm also not going to clean their bathroom if I use it.

You wouldn't take an aircraft with a strobe out in CAVU for a local 1 hour flight at noon?

 

[TMetzinger]

Most places say that, but I don't have the Plexus and towels for the windscreen, I'll take out my own trash, but I'm not going to detail the airplane for them. I'm saying that the FBO, school, whatever, needs to get real, get off their ass, and quit expecting someone paying these rates to do it all for them.

I'm also not going to clean their bathroom if I use it.

You wouldn't take an aircraft with a strobe out in CAVU for a local 1 hour flight at noon?

Depends on if it's required for airworthiness or not... In our area and airspace, for our airplanes, broken strobes are generally a grounding item.

 

[Jeanie]

When I walked out to the plane and saw it in that condition I would've gone right back into the office and found the chief pilot/manager and escorted them back to their plane and pointed out your concerns right then... If they didn't make it right I would've gone elsewhere.

 

[FlySince9]

When I walked out to the plane and saw it in that condition I would've gone right back into the office and found the chief pilot/manager and escorted them back to their plane and pointed out your concerns right then... If they didn't make it right I would've gone elsewhere.

 

[Alexb2000]

When I walked out to the plane and saw it in that condition I would've gone right back into the office and found the chief pilot/manager and escorted them back to their plane and pointed out your concerns right then... If they didn't make it right I would've gone elsewhere.

Well funny thing, I was with the chief pilot. He used his hand to kind of smear the bugs around. Says a lot.

 

[fgcason]

Holy cr*p!!! So essentially it was $355/hour? I know it's a twin, but c'mon. You should expect a B-25 for that money.

Fixed.

 

[GCA319]

As said above, depends on the place. I've found that small flight schools with just a few planes tend to keep up with their planes a little better. Also helps if the owner of the school is also an A&P. The nicest rental isn't always the most expensive either. The nicest rental at SAF is a brand new Remos GX and is the second cheapest (though the 172s at the bigger flight school are in good shape as well).

 

[AggieMike88]

I haven't rented an airplane in a long time. This week I did when I rented a DA-42 for $335 per hour, plus $2.50 insurance, plus fuel surcharge of $20 per hour, etc.

For that kind of money I expect a CLEAN aircraft in full working order. This was a 2007 aircraft. It was filthy dirty, windshield covered with bugs, trash inside, seats stained, and it smelled like an old jock strap. The KAP140 autopilot was all over the place, strobes were out, etc.

It is so hard to get people interested in learning to fly, then when you do, their first experience is something like this. This is completely unprofessional and certainly not a confidence booster for someone about to take this thing into the air.

I can rent a car for $30 a day and never have to deal with this kind of crap.

This industry really needs some better management.

Is this typical? What are the rentals like?

If you're talking about who I'm thinking you're talking about at KDTO, unfortunately that's nothing new with that FBO. Sadly that's typical of all of their aircraft.

And you did hear about their change in policy that occurred yesterday, right?

 

[Alexb2000]

And you did hear about their change in policy that occurred yesterday, right?

They aren't renting anymore. They said their insurance went way up.

Is that what you're talking about?

 

[3 in the green]

Most places say that, but I don't have the Plexus and towels for the windscreen, I'll take out my own trash, but I'm not going to detail the airplane for them. I'm saying that the FBO, school, whatever, needs to get real, get off their ass, and quit expecting someone paying these rates to do it all for them.

I'm also not going to clean their bathroom if I use it.

You wouldn't take an aircraft with a strobe out in CAVU for a local 1 hour flight at noon?

THIS. Students/renters are there to fly, not to clean. The FBO should take care of their equipment, this includes cleaning and fixing squawks in a timely manner.

Sure, take out your own trash, that's just common decency. But renting aircraft is a business, and the customers are those bringing the revenue. There is no excuse for a dirty and trashy looking airplane.

 

[N801BH]

When I walked out to the plane and saw it in that condition I would've gone right back into the office and found the chief pilot/manager and escorted them back to their plane and pointed out your concerns right then... If they didn't make it right I would've gone elsewhere.

I agree 100%.... Shop with your feet and be sure to ( badmouth) the FBO at every chance..

BH.

 

[Anthony]

Fixed.

Holy cr*p!!! So essentially it was $355/hour? I know it's a twin, but c'mon. You should expect a B-25 for that money.

lol Frank! Yeah, we're starting to sound like our Dads.

 

[kimberlyanne546]

Wow.

At my new school they wash the windshield and plane in front of you (well they spot clean it), answer any questions, unchock it and unchain it for you, come out of the hangar to greet you when you return, push / tow the plane back into the parking spot for you etc.

 

[kimberlyanne546]

PS - The first time they did this for me I was shocked. My old flight school didn't have any mechanics on weekends and you had to do everything yourself (including fuel). I can't tell you how awesome it is when the new school puts fuel in the plane. I even called on my drive down and asked them last weekend to fill up the plane so I could save time and make it to my destination before dark.

 

[N801BH]

Wow.

At my new school they wash the windshield and plane in front of you (well they spot clean it), answer any questions, unchock it and unchain it for you, come out of the hangar to greet you when you return, push / tow the plane back into the parking spot for you etc.

That's the way it was done 30 years ago and it is good to hear it is still practiced today.... Altho a little bit of that theater is CYA... It gives the lines guys a chance to look over the plane for any damage.. ie,, bird strikes, broken wheel pants, dinged prop..etc, etc, etc, IMHO.

Ben.

 

[Skip Miller]

Sure, take out your own trash, that's just common decency. But renting aircraft is a business, and the customers are those bringing the revenue. There is no excuse for a dirty and trashy looking airplane.

Although I agree 100%, there are also some burdens on the renter beyond taking out the trash. Tieing the plane down, covering, and CLOSING THE VENT WINDOW are all part of the deal. Respect the equipment, respect the next renter.

When I found the plane in this condition I was furious.

-Skip

 

[Tom-D]

When I walked out to the plane and saw it in that condition I would've gone right back into the office and found the chief pilot/manager and escorted them back to their plane and pointed out your concerns right then... If they didn't make it right I would've gone elsewhere.

and if they told you to hit the street where would you go?

 

[Tom-D]

I agree 100%.... Shop with your feet and be sure to ( badmouth) the FBO at every chance..

BH.

And then this happens:

http://www.outoftheblueaviation.com/

In this aviation economy you might be better served by helping the rental agency stay in business.

 

[Tom-D]

I blame the CFIs that forgot to teach pilots how to care for the equipment.

Simple things like telling the students that when maintenance goes up, so does rental costs.

How many CFIs actually teach caring for the machine.?

 

[N801BH]

I blame the CFIs that forgot to teach pilots how to care for the equipment.

Simple things like telling the students that when maintenance goes up, so does rental costs.

How many CFIs actually teach caring for the machine.?

Personally I blame the parents of those ignorant, self centered, sloppy, spoiled pilots.... They were brought up thinking someone else will clean up after them..... They probably still live at home too with mommy cooking and washing their clothes... IMHO..

Ben.

 

[kimberlyanne546]

That's the way it was done 30 years ago and it is good to hear it is still practiced today.... Altho a little bit of that theater is CYA... It gives the lines guys a chance to look over the plane for any damage.. ie,, bird strikes, broken wheel pants, dinged prop..etc, etc, etc, IMHO.

Ben.

LOL he's not a line guy, he is an AP, IA, and owner of the place.

 

[N2124v]

It's called "full rental power" for a reason...

 

[AggieMike88]

They aren't renting anymore. They said their insurance went way up.

Is that what you're talking about?

Yup. Attended a meeting hosted by USAG's top exec. Even the employees are no longer able to rent the aircraft for non-training purposes.

I've moved on to Marcair.

 

[TangoWhiskey]

Although I agree 100%, there are also some burdens on the renter beyond taking out the trash. Tieing the plane down, covering, and CLOSING THE VENT WINDOW are all part of the deal. Respect the equipment, respect the next renter.

When I found the plane in this condition I was furious.

-Skip

Wow!!

 

[drgwentzel]

Wow.

At my new school they wash the windshield and plane in front of you (well they spot clean it), answer any questions, unchock it and unchain it for you, come out of the hangar to greet you when you return, push / tow the plane back into the parking spot for you etc.

Geez! I wonder if they do that for the male renters as well. = ]

Gene

 

[bbchien]

Alex, think about the difference in the process between, say, Avis-Rent-a-car and your local FBO. At Avis, there is a return line, with an attendant who inspects condition, does the vacuum-out, trashout, refuel, and fluids check.

At your local FBO, "there it is".

The situation won't change until there is real competition.

 

[Alexb2000]

Alex, think about the difference in the process between, say, Avis-Rent-a-car and your local FBO. At Avis, there is a return line, with an attendant who inspects condition, does the vacuum-out, trashout, refuel, and fluids check.

At your local FBO, "there it is".

The situation won't change until there is real competition.

I agree, we really need some competition.

The part that bothers me is this FBO/School/Shop has masses of employees. There were 3 line guys standing around B.S.ing while we were doing the preflight. They have a lot of aircraft, all of which needed attention IMO. I guess a bucket of soap and water isn't in their job description.

I looked at Planesmart a couple of years ago. Really expensive way to fly a Cirrus. However, everything was clean, perfect, and the airplanes are 100% ready to go. It was like being at a Ferrari dealership. I can see how that would be attractive especially after what I experienced.

 

[wabower]

I agree, we really need some competition.



I looked at Planesmart a couple of years ago. Really expensive way to fly a Cirrus. However, everything was clean, perfect, and the airplanes are 100% ready to go. It was like being at a Ferrari dealership. I can see how that would be attractive especially after what I experienced.

And one of their planes recently crashed shortly after take-off due to fuel exhaustion. ANFL.

 

[kimberlyanne546]

Geez! I wonder if they do that for the male renters as well. = ]

Gene

Don't be silly, they do this for everyone.

 

[kimberlyanne546]

And one of their planes recently crashed shortly after take-off due to fuel exhaustion. ANFL.

Even when I SEE people fill up my plane, I ALWAYS climb up on top and check each wing for fuel. I've been in a "hurry" before to get home but I always check fuel and oil in my expedited pre-flight.

 

[Alexb2000]

Even when I SEE people fill up my plane, I ALWAYS climb up on top and check each wing for fuel. I've been in a "hurry" before to get home but I always check fuel and oil in my expedited pre-flight.

I do too. If we are talking about the same incident, then the pilot couldn't see the fuel level because it was below the tabs, so he went off the totalizer (which was wrong).

Sad situation, I see my fuel level, verify on gauges, then set totalizer. No other way to be sure IMO.

 

[Henning]

If you want a nice airplane to fly, you buy an airplane and make it/ keep it as you want it. That is why other people own as well.

 

[DavidWhite]

If you want a nice airplane to fly, you buy an airplane and make it/ keep it as you want it. That is why other people own as well.

 

[wabower]

You might be surprised at the number of accidents that are caused by things the pilot would have said that he/she "always does" except for the one time they forgot, got distracted, or out of sequence, or . . .

PS: Are you older than 12? My grandson Alex B was born in 2000, just want to be sure he's not posting here because I don't think he has any pilot credentials--yet.

I do too. If we are talking about the same incident, then the pilot couldn't see the fuel level because it was below the tabs, so he went off the totalizer (which was wrong).

Sad situation, I see my fuel level, verify on gauges, then set totalizer. No other way to be sure IMO.

 

[Alexb2000]

You might be surprised at the number of accidents that are caused by things the pilot would have said that he/she "always does" except for the one time they forgot, got distracted, or out of sequence, or . . .

PS: Are you older than 12? My grandson Alex B was born in 2000, just want to be sure he's not posting here because I don't think he has any pilot credentials--yet.

You'd be surprised what I've learned on the Internet grandpa.

 

[murphey]

I blame the CFIs that forgot to teach pilots how to care for the equipment.

Simple things like telling the students that when maintenance goes up, so does rental costs.

How many CFIs actually teach caring for the machine.?

Forget the CFI. How about the student's parents for not teaching them to pick up after themselves, to put things back the way they found them....

 

[dmspilot]

You'd be surprised what I've learned on the Internet grandpa.

Gambling?

Forget the CFI. How about the student's parents for not teaching them to pick up after themselves, to put things back the way they found them....

I've never really encountered trash issues in airplanes. Most of the issues I've found with rental aircraft are solely the fault of the management. (Usually, broken stuff that isn't ever fixed.)