Flying sure beats driving
 

My plane is old and doesn't have any of the fancy new stuff. And I'm not spending 10 to 15K for a gps when I can use an ipad and $75 app. I still head to VORs and look out the window to find my way. But since Ive gotten the plane we rarely drive more than a 100 miles from home. We don't have to be anywhere so we pick our days.

Here is a shot of my instrument panel on our little day trip to Eureka Springs AR. I'm running around 55%-60% power, my IAS calculated out to around 140knts. We had a tailwind and the groundspeed was around 190mph. I was running 9.6 gph.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1373322955.jpg

I still drive the Porsche to the golf club and the airport. But flying is what gets me excited these days.

I envy you.

So do I.
I get airsick just taking people to the airport.

Very Nice! A picture of the whole plane ,please.

What's the plane? Mooney?

Doctor killer, as I recall...

The "economical thinking" is nice DM!

Its a Beechcraft Debonair. I did have shoulder harnesses installed after this picture was taken.



http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1373324943.jpg

Good thing I'm not a Doctor. When are you coming out for a ride? Your not a doctor are you?

I need to get out there. I forgot it wasn't a v-tail.

Nice airplane ! That is one thing I regret not having done, getting my pilots license. I have had my share of "stick time" ferrying aircraft across the country for many years. I guess that while I was doing that I didn't need bother with getting a civilian license. Now I am stuck either driving or with commercial airline flights. Oh to have a "do over" button....things would be different.

Two years ago I took my wife to the local airport as they had a car show going on. I mentioned that I had wished I had learned to fly. I had never been in a small plane before but had always been interested. My wife said what was stopping me as I now had the time and money to do it. So I got my plane and PPL right around my 55 birthday.

My brother in law is also starting now and he's 62, your not getting any younger.

Nice! Jealous! My wife gave me the green light to get an airplane a few days ago. I've always wanted a Bonanza. Such nice planes.

If your buying used, its a buyers market. Lots of nice planes out there. As I was new to all this I paid a buyers agent to help me with both looking for a plane and the purchase.

Okay if we are talking flying your own aircraft vs driving here are the advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages are of flying own aircraft:
1. Faster
2. Very scenic



Disadvantages
1. No transportation when you get to your destination airport - depend on taxis, ground transportation
2. Likely no toilet!(Empty pop bottle and harder for the women).
3. High cost of maintenance
4. Might need a hangar overnight
5. Cannot stop except for a suitable airport
6. Weather turned bad at destination - pilot/aircraft may not be equipped to land in adverse weather. Single pilot operation increases risk. Think one armed paper hanger at a busy airport.
7. Flying a small aircraft is an expensive luxury. There is a need to keep current on equipment. Instrument rating is recommended.
8. Safety depends on the pilot.


I would prefer driving overall but of course that is my preference. And then there are commercial airlines and the associated frustrations....

Me too.
Pilots, any disadvantages to a wing-under? A neophyte question.

The Debonair was not the doctor killer, that was the V-tail Bonanza.

Very nice choice of aircraft. You could land that on an aircraft carrier.

Want an M20J here... Maybe in 2-3 years once I'm on my own business-wise.

I also looked at the Mooneys, I'm sure I would have been happy with one of those also. When I was looking it was basically a toss up for me. I just happened to find the Beech first.

Highwing or low wing-personal preference to some extent. High wing often better for short fields