| jrsites |
07-22-2006 12:02 PM |
Wow. I knew we were getting a very good deal, but I didn't know we were only paying one-third of what most renters are paying. I figured our rates were about half the going rate elsewhere.
I should clarify. It's not a "company" flying club. It is the "employees" flying club, but the company has nothing to do with the day to day operation or operating budget. The club has to survive on its own, on whatever operating profit it can turn from rental revenue. It has meant some changes over the years during economic ups and downs. We now fuel our own planes to help save overhead costs. And rates have gone up. When I first joined, a 172P was $28.50 an hour.
Yeah, I know. "Cry me a river." :D
Now, that's not to say that the company doesn't help out somehow, perhaps on the acquisition cost of the aircraft. But the flying club is not a "department" of the company, nor does the budget show up on the company's income statement.
It is a very valuable employee benefit, though.
Were it not for the case of RV Fever I contracted from flying my dad's RV-6A, I wouldn't be making plans to build my own plane. If you think about it, it's probaby ludicrous to build and operate your own plane when you can rent one for $50 per hour. But I need an RV fix..........
|