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If you're interested in the concept of personal airplanes replacing commercial flight, I highly recommend "Free Flight" by James Fallows. There's a lot of thin
by carleverett 11y ago
If you're interested in the concept of personal airplanes replacing commercial flight, I highly recommend "Free Flight" by James Fallows.
There's a lot of things working against the concept. Weather constraints and sport pilot restrictions are logistical issues, but by far the #1 issue is cost. The Transition, Terrefugia, and A5 aren't doing much to solve this by selling for $190-300k, so they definitely won't be changing how the general public travels.
Regardless, I couldn't be happier with my Sport License. For now I can only afford to rent, and not much at that. Were it not for the LSA category though, flying would still just be a wish.
- cpncrunch 11y agoIt's very difficult to beat the cost, safety and reliability of commercial airlines. If you have $250k burning a hole in your pocket, something like a Cirrus or Corvalis is probably a more useful option for trips up to about 1000nm.
- toomuchtodo 11y ago$250K buys a lot of NetJets time as well.
- cpncrunch 11y agoAbout 25 hours, plus you have to pay other fees.
- x1798DE 11y agoThat's quite a short trip.
- michaelbuckbee 11y agoGuessing that's Nautical Miles and not Nano Meters.
- cpncrunch 11y agoYes. nm is the standard abbreviation for nautical miles in the aviation world.
- TheMakeA 11y agoSo you're saying it costs as much as a down payment on a house in the Bay Area to own my own airplane? I'd rather do that and then live nearly anywhere in the 400 mile range that it provides, and probably be happier.
- carleverett 11y agoI don't think those that can afford to buy a house in the Bay Area are considered the general public.