David-aviator
Well Known Member
I topped off the tanks this morning and once again the bill was over a $100. But that was not too bad, it had been over 2 weeks since the last fuel purchase. During that time, the Hobbs logged 5.7 hours and the burn was 27.7 gallons.
Getting a handle on the cost of flying is becoming somewhat of an obsession. One learns after retirement money does not grow on trees and a fixed income becomes less and less valuable. Being a senior has no tax benefits and insurance of all types costs more.
To control flight costs, one thing that works is to pull the throttle and mixture back as soon as possible after take off. The average burn for those 5.7 hours was 4.85 gph. Even at that, it comes in at $19.48 an hour just for the fuel. When I factor in the cost of a weekly lunch with some friends, it is about $28. Well, at least it isn't a hundred bucks like it could be by flying a greater distance but it all adds up.
The total cost of flight for 2009 for me was $6,786.73. That included everything from EAA dues to insurance to Weathermeister. And that is after tax dollars as every nickel one pulls out of a retirement plan is taxable.
So what's the point, you might ask? Well, it's about flying and paying for it and trying to keep costs under control. I'd like to fly forever, but sometimes wonder if the cost is sustainable. Friends ask, what would you do without an airplane? I don't know - but do think about it. Local zoo officials look for old geezers to run the kids train as conductor or engineer, or one could volunteer to be a tour guide at the AB brewery and perhaps get a free beer at the end of the day. I don't know.
How many of you think about life without an airplane and is the cost under control at this point?
Getting a handle on the cost of flying is becoming somewhat of an obsession. One learns after retirement money does not grow on trees and a fixed income becomes less and less valuable. Being a senior has no tax benefits and insurance of all types costs more.
To control flight costs, one thing that works is to pull the throttle and mixture back as soon as possible after take off. The average burn for those 5.7 hours was 4.85 gph. Even at that, it comes in at $19.48 an hour just for the fuel. When I factor in the cost of a weekly lunch with some friends, it is about $28. Well, at least it isn't a hundred bucks like it could be by flying a greater distance but it all adds up.
The total cost of flight for 2009 for me was $6,786.73. That included everything from EAA dues to insurance to Weathermeister. And that is after tax dollars as every nickel one pulls out of a retirement plan is taxable.
So what's the point, you might ask? Well, it's about flying and paying for it and trying to keep costs under control. I'd like to fly forever, but sometimes wonder if the cost is sustainable. Friends ask, what would you do without an airplane? I don't know - but do think about it. Local zoo officials look for old geezers to run the kids train as conductor or engineer, or one could volunteer to be a tour guide at the AB brewery and perhaps get a free beer at the end of the day. I don't know.
How many of you think about life without an airplane and is the cost under control at this point?
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