Howdy--I got a few writing gigs that I can do from anywhere, and now I can't wait to leave my job and travel the world.

One thing I would love to do is fly a Cub / Champ / Avid Flyer / Kitfox type plane around the United States for a few months. That'd be a long time to rent a plane for, and a short time to buy one for (with taxes, unexpected maintenance I can't amortize over a few years, etc.)

I'm a new pilot, having just about completed my license. It should be finished in the next month, and I'd like to leave around July on my trip, with maybe 40 hours total.

I'd be looking to spend on the lower side of $700 - $1400 a month for the plane, and then just pay gas costs. Is there any hope for this idea, and is there anyone who does long-term rentals / leases like this?

Any advice much appreciated!

I hate to throw a wet blanket on what could be a really fun experience, but quite honestly, that would be a really difficult trip for a brand new pilot. I'm always congratulating newbies on other forums for obtaining their license to learn, and I really mean it. So far, the longest cross countries you've done on your own are a whole lot shorter than flying for days on end, taking into account changing weather, mechanical needs and difficulties, etc. You have so much more to learn. I'd start with experiencing a really long one or two day cross country, and seeing how that worked out.

As for whether there is any way to actually do it, renting under the circumstances you're envisioning, I can't say. You're more likely to be able to convince the school you're attending than a strange FBO, so that's the place to start. But most places who will rent for lengthy periods of time do it in a much different way--it's the number of hours at normal rates (with maybe a discount for prepayment) with a minimum number of hours per day, on a dry rate (you buy the fuel and oil). The longest I've ever rented any airplane was for 3 weeks years ago, a Turbo Arrow, but I've rented several airplanes for a few days at a time, from 3 different FBOs, all of whom used the same process. When I've rented at other FBOs, the total time involved was less, but when I asked about long term rentals, it was the same as I'd experienced.

Cary

By the time the FBO/flight school factors in their payments, insurance and lost revenues due to the airplane being gone it is going to cost way more than you expect. Over three months you can expect to fly more than 100 hours so there will be an inspection due somewhere out on the road that will have to be dealt with too.
It would probably be better to do several 7-10 day loops from your home base. Get home, do laundry and let the FBO have their airplane for a week then go out again.

Just a thought, but check with the local EAA, maybe there is a retired person that has the same dream and owns a plane but just doesn't feel comfortable traveling on their own. Share the flying time, share the cost, have a mentor on board at the same time.

Bighorn wrote:Just a thought, but check with the local EAA, maybe there is a retired person that has the same dream and owns a plane but just doesn't feel comfortable traveling on their own. Share the flying time, share the cost, have a mentor on board at the same time.

This is a very good idea. Just split the left seat time.

Hey - as far as the new pilot part, Greg Swingle got his license in SE Ohio, and immediately headed off to Alaska solo with something like 40 hours. Look where it has taken him.

Go for it! Stay within your abilities and go see the country. The rental might be tough but it might be worth considering purchasing a plane that will fit your needs and then sell it when you are done with it. This might be more risk than you are willing to take on, but it will allow for freedom on your trip.

My $.02, take it for what it is worth.

I second the go for it attitude. Yes, be careful. Don't push weather. Do a lot of research on the next leg of your trip. Call ahead to fields you want to land at and ask about local hazards and conditions.

As for rental...I think you will have a hard time renting a classic tailwheel aircraft, but you might be able to rent a 152 or 172 as long as you will be putting several hours a day (average) while you are gone. Develop a relationship with an FBO. Offer to rent the aircraft "dry" so the FBO won't be paying for fuel at widely variable prices. Offer to keep the FBO informed of the aircraft's location on a daily basis. When I was building time for my commercial rating, I rented a 172 for 50 hours and travelled over 5000 miles. It was far better experience than anything I could have done locally. The ink was barely dry on my Instrument rating and I was very green. I did actual inst. approaches solo at strange fields (lots of research before flight) and learned a great deal. Good luck.

patrol guy wrote:Hey - as far as the new pilot part, Greg Swingle got his license in SE Ohio, and immediately headed off to Alaska solo with something like 40 hours. Look where it has taken him.

Where has it taken him? Is he still in Alaska?

I know, I know.

Arnold Bronson

Wow, thanks for the great responses guys! Now it seems like even more of a possibility.

I'd love to hear about things I can research like...

1. Ideas for good insurance companies for a low-hour pilot in an LSA
2. Good planes < $30k. (I like Cubs, Aeronca Champs, Avid Flyers, and Rans S-7's. Even good ultralights. I'd like a two-seater, tail-dragger LSA that I can land off-airport. It'd be nice to be able to go about 90 mph and fit a folding bicycle inside (otherwise a pair off rollerblades and some cutoff jean shorts).
3. Also, good loan companies. I have excellent credit.

Magnet wrote:Where has it taken him? Is he still in Alaska?

He just went up there to get married.
Greg's back in Ohio facing the music!

I have torn quite a few pages off of calendars since I flew the highway to Alaska, but I had an interesting conversation on one trip. I was sharing a cab to town in Fort Nelson with a young couple flying a 150 full of camping gear. I asked them if they were going up or coming back, they said coming back. I asked how long had they had been gone, the answer was three weeks. I asked, was it their plane, the young lady said she rented, she was the pilot. I asked where they were from, she answered from Colorado. I asked what the FBO said when they told them they were going to Alaska, she said she didn't ask, just that she figured she would put X amount of hours on the plane, which she reported weekly. I've always laughed at her boldness and quest for adventure. I'm not sure you would find that in many early twenty something's these days.

Does it have to be LSA? If you are willing to pay $1500 a month for 3 months, you could certainly buy a plane and plan to sell it for $4500 less. Should make it easier to sell. Plenty of Cessna 150s out there for less money than a new Harley. You can buy something like a pietenpol for 10K. Tax can't be that much on a sales price of next to nothing...

I'd like it to be an LSA, and I'm not actually opposed to flying an ultralight or something very small, though I'd like it to have two seats.

BUY A TAYLORCRAFT.

Mine will fly 90 mph burning 3.5 gph. I have less than $20,000 in it and have floats wheels and skis. These little old planes are still "the best buy in the sky".

Just my .02

-Levi

what Levi says!

I'm still saving up for a Taylorswift, but in the meantime, I found a share in a lovely Cub in The partners all seem nice, the plane is a beauty, and I like the airport. What could possibly go wrong!?!?

mmm.. nothing or lots, partnerships are interesting, go in asking a lot and have your eyes open wide.