Neat, I had a 1950 C35 from 97 to 04
loved the economy of it.
Bob

 

I had a charter in Powell River for a few years. DHC-2 amphib, Seneca, Cherokee six and a Piper235.
I had to get out as I was going broke.
I'm getting a real paycheck again.

 

What kind of fuel milage do you get in a small plane?

 

My Bonanza, a four seater, went 174 miles per hour on about 10 gallons per hour. or about 17-18 MPG.
The newer ones are a lot faster but at higher fuel consumption.
The float plane I fly goes 110 MPH at 21 gallons per hour, or about 5 MPG
Bob

 

Wow, that sounds like my F-250 H-Boy

 

That bonanza gets impressive milage!

 

Planes have a very high fuel burn per hour compared to a vehicle.
Expect even a small plane like mine to burn up to 20 gallons per hour on take off, and initial climb out, once I have a safe altitude i pull back to an economy climb, unless in mountainous terrain and have to climb to altitude quickly.
Once up to altitude, and if you are not in a rush, it pays to throttle back, and save fuel.

The gain despite incredibly high fuel burn per hour, is that it covers a lot of ground per hour as well.
And if you fly direct, trips are a lot shorter than miles driven between two places.

So while it sounds bad at first, its not too bad in the end.
AV gas is just so damn expensive, and the cost of a nice amphib, i would be broke owning my dream plane.

Owning a plane is costly, assume a fixed cost of about $2.20 per minute you fly it on average.

 

Its a tough game being in the flying business.

I had a crazy thought once, and nearly opened a flight school.....Once I sobered up, i realized it was a great both to follow to the poor house.
I love to fly, but also need an income.

I have taught people how to fly, just not officially.

I had a blast flying freight in alaska.
Although I only did it for a grand total of 11 weeks, I will never forget the experience, I loved it.
I was offered a job to come back and fly for them, they liked me to, but it was 7 days a week, long hours, bad conditions, and the kids working the counter at McD's made as much $$$ as I did, so I had to say no.

Oneday I would like to go back and fly crap around Alaska for about 2 or 3 years.
Once the kids are moved out,and the mortgage is paid off.
Until then I prefer to feed and house my family.

 

2.20 a minute holy crap that adds up in a hurry!

 

That 's why I use to charter a plane, where it would take 12 hr's to drive I could fly down in the morning, have lunch and fly back that afternoon. I did'nt do this everyday, but it was nice for a pop up meeting on Friday.

 

Thats pretty cheap compared to the Helicopter industry. When I learned to fly a Bell 47, I was charged about $8.16 a minute.... The Bell Jetranger was $17.50 a minute. The B47 only burns about 52L an hour.

 

Pretty good so far.

I tell ya, when I win the lottery, I'm taking flying lessons.

 

Your going to need a big win if you want to fly a chopper.LOL

 

Trust me its addictive.....You will love flying.

 

Yea, nothing quite like being 3000ft up with the doors off, looking down at the world below.