Newsgroups: rec.aviation.student
Subject: Re: What to do with a Pilot License
From: jbolinger@lintek.com (J L Bolinger)
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In article <36111419.174281003@news.pipeline.com>, aruder@pipeline.com says...
>
>"Joel Bierling" <EMail2@Bierling.net> wrote:
>
>>I know there are plenty of things one can do with a pilot license if you
>>plan on flying full time.  But what about the person that already has a full
>>time career, loves to fly, but doesn't have a lot of cash they can throw
>>around?
>>
>>-Joel
>>
>Can you use a computer spreadsheet to play what-if?
>Figure costs, including meals, lost time, how much time there, etc,
>to go visit relatives, and figure relatives yoiu just DON'T go see
>because you don't have time to drive and they are too far from 
>an airline.
>
>Figure the cost of the plane, of owning, of renting, and make up 
>your mind to it, it is a costly addiction.  Add in the tie-downs at 
>destination, fuel costs, and anything you are likely to do.
>


This series of postings prompted me to do some figuring last night.

Assume that two couples want to take a 800 mile car trip.  That will take
most of two days, so there will be a motel bill plus meals plus gas.

Using nominal figures I came up with about $340 for the car trip.

Now, consider a plane that rents for $55 an hour and cruises at 110 kts.
Keeping in mind that from point A to B by plane is typically 85% of the
same trip by car (according to the Sporty's video), I came up with a 
single day trip costing about $290.

These are the travel expenses only.  Of course, by playing around with the
numbers (bring your own food, sleep only at the 'Roach Inn', etc) you could
make the car trip cheaper, but I'm sure you see my point.

