At one time I fixed the "booked" schedule by joining three clubs and checked out in two flight schools.
Didn't always get the one I wanted, but usually got one. Learned to fly a fist full of planes from a
Taylorcraft L2 up through a Turbo 206.

A lot will depend on what’s available to you locally....(as well as what your temperament is...)

Not too long ago I was considering a Cirrus for my “traveling plane”. (had sold my “old” Baron...trying to decide between another Baron and something else). Decided I’d go rent one, along with an instructor. It took me two weeks to be able to get one booked on a day that I was available...and then the hour and fifteen minutes I flew cost me $645.

Seriously.

I fly my Baron for less than that per annum. All in.

I realize that all the points raised (if it breaks, you fix it, may not have all you want as far as avionics, etc. go) are valid.

Consider, however, that a rental plane is insured for “walk in” renters. The plane you own is insured for you. No one else (presumably). It is likely a more expensive plane to start with (therefore more CapEx). The maintenance will all be done by a shop that costs $85 per hour or more (versus at least *some* of the work you can learn to do yourself). And, by necessity, there is a margin built in for running the book (someone has to answer the phone, schedule the plane, and they rightfully need to be paid) and some profit (whoever took on the enterprise should be making some money out of the deal).

Once you know you want to fly, I believe that, on average, it’s far cheaper to get a decent plane (be careful), fly it for a while, and sell it. And, as Gump says, you’ll go places, do things, get experience (some of it will actually be fun) and it will make you a far better pilot. IMO.

(Perhaps I made too many assumptions...I assumed you had flown enough to know you wouldn’t have problems with airsickness, that you would like it, had an aptitude for it, etc....I *completely* agree those questions should be answered first. I also have seen that the instructor availability isn’t a problem *in my area of the country*. Just on my home grass strip there are a half dozen really experienced, really good instructors. They aren’t at the flight schools. But I’d take these old geezers 10 to 1 over the young inexperienced guys at the flight schools.)

Bottom line...there’s more than one approach. You have the most important thing....time and youth. Use them wisely.


SB

I agree with getting your own plane. Many rentals and flight schools won't allow flying on grass strips. With your own plane you can, and you can start venturing. Buying a cheap 150 and flying the wings off it was the best thing I did. Got my license in 28 days. Flew it for 110 ish hrs, then upgraded to a Citabria 7GCBC with 31s and flew it for a couple hundred. Now I have a 180, and in 5 years in at 507hrs. All just for fun, not proffensionally or commercially.
I was quoted 14000 to get my license by renting from a school. It cost me 6300 plus 5k for my share of my 150. I never knew ownership was so difficult. I have found it pretty easy.

Josh..... Fallbrook Air Service has a Champ for rent. I don't know the rates.

A1Skinner wrote:I agree with getting your own plane. Many rentals and flight schools won't allow flying on grass strips. With your own plane you can, and you can start venturing. Buying a cheap 150 and flying the wings off it was the best thing I did. Got my license in 28 days. Flew it for 110 ish hrs, then upgraded to a Citabria 7GCBC with 31s and flew it for a couple hundred. Now I have a 180, and in 5 years in at 507hrs. All just for fun, not proffensionally or commercially.
I was quoted 14000 to get my license by renting from a school. It cost me 6300 plus 5k for my share of my 150. I never knew ownership was so difficult. I have found it pretty easy.

Didn't you get cancer or something a while back? Seems like you did not have such an easy ride.

8GCBC wrote:

A1Skinner wrote:I agree with getting your own plane. Many rentals and flight schools won't allow flying on grass strips. With your own plane you can, and you can start venturing. Buying a cheap 150 and flying the wings off it was the best thing I did. Got my license in 28 days. Flew it for 110 ish hrs, then upgraded to a Citabria 7GCBC with 31s and flew it for a couple hundred. Now I have a 180, and in 5 years in at 507hrs. All just for fun, not proffensionally or commercially.
I was quoted 14000 to get my license by renting from a school. It cost me 6300 plus 5k for my share of my 150. I never knew ownership was so difficult. I have found it pretty easy.

Didn't you get cancer or something a while back? Seems like you did not have such an easy ride.

Cancer had nothing to do with owning a plane. It actually ad nothing to do at all with flying or aviation. And considering how well ky body handled the chemo, I would say I've had a very easy ride compared to the vast majority of people that have to deal with it

A1Skinner wrote:

8GCBC wrote:

A1Skinner wrote:I agree with getting your own plane. Many rentals and flight schools won't allow flying on grass strips. With your own plane you can, and you can start venturing. Buying a cheap 150 and flying the wings off it was the best thing I did. Got my license in 28 days. Flew it for 110 ish hrs, then upgraded to a Citabria 7GCBC with 31s and flew it for a couple hundred. Now I have a 180, and in 5 years in at 507hrs. All just for fun, not proffensionally or commercially.
I was quoted 14000 to get my license by renting from a school. It cost me 6300 plus 5k for my share of my 150. I never knew ownership was so difficult. I have found it pretty easy.

Didn't you get cancer or something a while back? Seems like you did not have such an easy ride.

Cancer had nothing to do with owning a plane. It actually ad nothing to do at all with flying or aviation. And considering how well ky body handled the chemo, I would say I've had a very easy ride compared to the vast majority of people that have to deal with it

Having an aircraft and losing a medical certificate is stressful. Anyway, glad your OK.

Never lost my medical. Just quit flying for a few months. I'm glad I'm ok too and continue to love flying. Thanks.

A1Skinner wrote:Never lost my medical. Just quit flying for a few months. I'm glad I'm ok too and continue to love flying. Thanks.

I tried posting a 'thumbs up' but this will have to do! I know many people dealing with medical issues that might put the halt to flying but yet, they strive on!

WWHunter wrote:

.
I tried posting a 'thumbs up' but this will have to do! I know many people dealing with medical issues that might put the halt to flying but yet, they strive on!

Thank you for saying this.

A1Skinner wrote:Never lost my medical. Just quit flying for a few months. I'm glad I'm ok too and continue to love flying. Thanks.

As a cancer survivor myself, I'm really glad that you're OK. I, too, had an easy time with treatment, in my case "IMRT", intensive modulated radiation therapy. That's such a variable--I've had friends and acquaintances on both sides of that issue, with some going through a really miserable time. And too many don't have our good results. Glad you're up and at 'em again!

Cary