----[Please read http://ercoupers.com/disclaimer.htm before following any advice in this forum.]---- David, I think us folks in the USA DO know how fortunate we are when we stop and think about it, and we need to keep thinking about it... every day. Europe (and especially Britain, since that is (from my experience) the most "american" of the countries on the east side of the pond) got into the mess they are in because the electorate continually elect, accept and often even even seek the security of a benevolent government to will "take care of them" from cradle to grave. They think (or thought) that there was some kind of never ending supply of funds. Well, guess what, Government money is always YOUR money. If almost every body is on some kind of dole, the money has to come from somewhere. It comes from a tax structure that makes fuel cost $2.10 a LITRE (note LITRE, not gallon), when we all buy the fuel from the same place. How many typical airports in the USA have a $12.60 landing fee for a two seat, single engine plane that weighs less than 2000 lbs? It can happen here too. Now, I'll get off my soap box and listen. Regards, Rich Linder
-----Original Message----- From: David Vernon [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, July 12, 2001 03:30 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [COUPERS] Happiness (flying an Aircoupe) ----[Please read http://ercoupers.com/disclaimer.htm before following any advice in this forum.]---- You guys don't know how lucky you are, I look at my figures in a slightly different manner and don't forget you must take into account the loss off interest your money invested in the Aircoupe could be earning you, even at 3% this is substantial. All these figures are converted into US$ at the present rate $1.40 = £1 Hourly costs Fuel 21 litres $ 29.40 Believe it or not, gas costs that here. Oil .5 litre 2.10 Landing 12.60 Yes! we are charged for every landing and this is at a contract rate bought 50 landings in advance, they even charge you this if you go around without touching down. Full rate (not contract) TWICE THIS SUM. Engine overhaul 6.30 Based on a life of 1800 hrs and overhaul cost of $11,200 which is what it costs here. _______ $ 50.40 Per hour with only ONE landing, if you do more, each one costs another $12.60 Annual costs which cost you whether you fly 100 hours or 400 hours Hangarage $ 910.00 Well, that's what I pay and they say that is cheap Insurance 1680.00 Yep, that's it over here Annual 1400.00 Our checks are 50 hours, 50 hours, then a 150 hour check or annual, whichever is sooner. The 50 hour checks can be carried out by the owner but the 150 hour or Annual must be done by licensed engineers on APPROVED PREMISES. (note that)! ________ $ 3990.00 Fly 100 hours in the year and each hour needs $39.90 added So guys, it looks like this.... $50.40 plus $39.90 = $90.30 per flying hour if you fly 100 hours annually which in UK £s is £64.50 I reckon about £60 but then what about the loss of interest on my money which I could invest at minimum 3% ? The money I have invested in my Aircoupe is about £21,000 and at 3% that would earn me £630.00 or approx $1,000, so there's another $10 to add to the hourly cost if you fly 100 hours in the year. Over here most flying schools charge £90 to £120 per hour for hire of a Cessna 150 or Piper 140 solo rate that is $125 to $170 per hour. WHO WOULD FLY IN EUROPE? at these rates. ME. So enjoy your cheap flying, no wonder flying is popular in the USA, in Europe they are killing it. Dave Vernon ==^================================================================ EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?aVxiLm.aVzvvT <http://topica.com/u/?aVxiLm.${encoded_sub_id}> Or send an email To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] This email was sent to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
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