Airplane rentals???

Question

If I wanted to rent an airplane for an extended vacation, would most places still charge 2-3 hours per day? I would like to rent a plane and fly to vacation for like a week, but I wouldn't want to spend $300 a day when I would only use it to get there and get back.

If you have to pay for the plane everyday even if you only use it for two days, then what is the point for people to get thier private pilots cert if they can't affordably go on vacation with one? Day trips are fun, but the a huge purpose of getting a PPL would be to fly long distance for an extended stay.

Why do most people get a PPL??? Just for fun day trips?

Answer 1

Most places I have rented from- depending on how busy their fleet is- will allow you to rent 1 night, 2 days and only charge for the actual flight time.  Last time I did it, I had the aircraft for about 40 hours and only paid for about 4.

If they are really slow and have aircraft to spare they may allow longer, but I have never tried.

As far as the PPL, most of the pilots I fly with love to go for the classic "$100 hamburger" flights where we all get together and take a flight for breakfast or lunch.

Then 2 or so times a year we will get together and do an overnight trip somewhere.

For me, I am just happy to get up for an hour or two and burn lazy circles in the sky on a nice day.  There is nothing like seing your house from above .

When looking at week long vacation I have a few pilot friends who are lucky enough to own their own aircraft and take that on vacation, instead of commercial air travel.  Again, those are the few lucky ones.

Answer 2

Airplanes only make money in the air. So if you have the thing for a week it can't make money that week unless you fly it. That airplane has value to the owner and if he decides the value is 2-3 hours worth of revenue per day then what do you think he should charge? Look folks. Flying is expensive. It's a tough business at the best of times to be in and there isn't much profit in owning small aircraft. So if you have the money then get a pilots  certificate and go fly and have fun. But if you don't then do something else. Jeez.

Answer 3

Well, if you rent a car to drive someplace that you will stay for a week in the boondocks where there are no rental agencies, then drive back, they don't just charge you for 2 days,  now, do they?  There are not any nation wide plane rental places like Avis (for cars) where you rent for a trip, then rent another one for the return trip.  Sorry, but you have to own your own plane, I guess.  Good luck.

Answer 4

flying club

Answer 5

I would suggest joining a flying club or partnership.

Flying clubs allow you to book the plane for weeks as long as you fly a minimum amount of hours a year, pay your fees, and follow a few rules.

Owning a half or quarter share in an aircraft is a bit more expensive but the cost per hour is lower and again no hassles for extended trips (as long as they don't conflict with the other partners).

Where I work we have a 172 that is pretty much free all the time so many renters take it for a week or two.  Maybe try a smaller company that isn't too busy cranking out students and can spare the aircraft without hosing you for it.