It's "Doc", and we were in Copper Breaks State Park, so we missed it. These guys will have a lot of good pics

https://m.facebook.com/groups/128291860579641/?ref=share&mibextid=S66gvF

What is the most economical plane to own and operate for 5 people? It would be for trips between Houston and the Hill Country.

Cherokee 6? Cessna 206?

src94 said:

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Cherokee 6? Cessna 206?

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Cirrus SR20 looks like a good option too.

For 5 people?

yessir

Ducks4brkfast said:

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src94 said:

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Cherokee 6? Cessna 206?

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Cirrus SR20 looks like a good option too.

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What's the SR20 useful load ? ~1000#?

no idea. i dont know anything about airplanes.

Would add a Beechcraft Bonanza to list, but you really need to figure out how much weight in baggage and passengers you are wanting to haul. A fully fueled 6-seater might hold 4 adults with bags. The Texas heat will also reduce takeoff performance so need to factor that also.

SR22 is probably the cirrus that makes more sense.

ETA who is the target user? Family? Friends? Small business?

Already have a pilot or someone getting their license for this?

Just to get the family back and forth from west Houston to the ranch in the hill country. And yes, will get a license.

Useful load on an sr22 is about 950lbs with fuel. 5 with bags would almost necessitate 2 being children. Will be tight in the backseat.

Check out the Saratoga or one of the 206 family, similar useful load but lower entry cost.

DA62

Agree that the plane would be more fun, but a car will beat it there 9 times out of 10

I own a "5 seat" SR22 and it's not a 5 adult plane. It's hardly a 2 adult, 3 child plane. The rear, middle seat is a joke.

The 206 is perfect for your mission. The Bonanza or Saratoga would work, but are probably a little more plane than you need performance-wise and your family may prefer the cabin and view from the 206. If you train in a 172, the transition to a 206 should be very easy. It's hard to "get behind" a high-wing Cessna.

A comfy Transit or Sprinter is probably a better use of time and money unless you're making this trip more than twice a month.

AgLA06 said:

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DA62

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Yeah this was going to be my suggestion if it was already someone with their IFR and multi punched

allMondjoy said:

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He is at 900hrs with multiple commercial certs. Goal is eventual airlines but trying to get array of experience required. Wish a good Ag could take him under pervebial wing!

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Happy to talk to him - I can tell him a few places to avoid. The goal should be to get to 1500 - not sure on the gig he's considering. I'd need to know the company name. If he can get to 1500, Spirit and Frontier might be options. I can help him with a recruiter at Spirit. I can get him into my current employer at 1500 as well flying a bigger jet than a regional, but I don't recommend them and have told friends to stay away. NK and F9 are infinitely better options. I just got the nod from SWA to go talk to them, and as long as I don't bolo the interview should be there soon.

If he's single and doesn't mind cargo that entails lots of time away and hours on the back of the clock, Atlas might work. I know they were taking r-ATP helo guys straight off.

Going to hiring events is also key. There's one next month in Vegas and he can look at who will be there. There's also one in New Orleans sometime this summer. I can't remember the exact date. Have him email me and we can setup a time to talk.

206. Pickup of the sky.



206 Turbo for $350K
https://www.controller.com/listing/for-sale/214822449/1981-cessna-turbo-u206g-stationair-piston-single-aircraft

listen closely to CaptnCarl and MaroonDontRun. Especially if you're new to GA. There is wisdom in their words.

Anyone doing any cool flying recently? Still out on baby leave and jonesing a bit.

CharlieBrown17 said:

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Anyone doing any cool flying recently? Still out on baby leave and jonesing a bit.

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I'm working on my helicopter rating. I'm enjoying it much more than any previous ratings or types. I should solo tomorrow.

CharlieBrown17 said:

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Anyone doing any cool flying recently? Still out on baby leave and jonesing a bit.

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Not that impressive, but I saw a 747 in Amarillo just pushed out of the paint shop

Photographer Rodney Barstow of Amarillo. HMX-1 arriving in AMA on return from California

My Aggie classmate rotor heads all claims it takes great big balls.

They aren't clear if those are beach balls or bowling balls or…

Hope to solo in the next week. Took a bit to figure how to get the damn thing back on the ground, but finally coming around.

CharlieBrown17 said:

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So how does a helo solo work?

Do you have to prove you can chant the black magic that keeps it in the air first or are you still on your instructors ticket for that?

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The black magic is more a dance with both hands and feet instead of a chant. Ironically, the better you get at it, the less you move. I'm not completely sure what the FARs are for a new pilot in something other than a Robinson 22 or 44, as I'm an add-on in the R44 which is subject to SFAR 73.

I had to have 20 hours of dual before I can solo or log any PIC time. After 20 hours, I'm PIC.

I ended up not soloing today, winds were 18 kts and gusting. My instructor said I could solo if I wanted to, but pick-ups and set-downs are what I'm the least confident with. Without my 200# instructor in the left seat, the pick-ups and set-downs are sure to feel different. I didn't want to figure out the feel of the different weight distribution in gusting winds. I ended up doing approaches, slope landings, an off-airport landing, and hover autos today.

I fly from Kerrville to Pearland several times a year. It takes me about an hour and a half and if I can get a tail wind, about an hour fifteen. But that's in good weather.
But if you factor in getting to the airport in Houston, doing a preflight, packing the plane, (won't take long because you can't carry much baggage), landing and then having to have some one pick you up or leave a vehicle, unpacking and then leaving a high dollar airplane sitting outside (especially with the hail more recently) you're not going to save more than an hour and a half.
You will need to keep a complete set of everything you need at the ranch because you won't be able to carry it.
Now back to the cost. A private license will cost $15,000 and an instrument rating about the same (more if you stretch it out). Insurance for a low timer in a 206 is about 10-12,000. More for the high performance retracts.
Also as your kids get older, the more activities they will be involved with. This will cause more got to get there itis and possibly night fights.
Next thing. Does your wife and kids like to fly? Getting beat up with turbulence or air sickness will turn you off very quickly.
How will your wife feel about the expense? Unless she really enjoys it and you have FU money and can write it off as a business expense otherwise, most spouses don't like that kind of expense. That's why I have a separate airplane account and fly an experimental.

TRIPLE 7 said:

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YES! Forty years & approx. 20,000 hours! Became hooked in 1963 at EASTERWOOD Airport while in the ROTC flight indoctrination program.

So, now, you're hooked! Love every minute of it! Good luck & fly safe!!

Cheers!

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User name checks out.