How safe are small private planes

[meltdown75]

my grandpa used to have one, but that was before i was born. so that means he was flying pre-1975. that's pretty cool.

 

[Dirigible]

Some friends just bought a used Cessna that's big enough for their family of four plus some cargo. Don't remember the exact model or how old the plane was but it cost them $40k. Maintenance on top of that. They live in Alaska though and can't go on road trips due to lack of roads in their area, so they justify it by saying it's like a normal American family's SUV for family outings.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Both of your figures sound a little low. Ive flown (rented) in quite a few different markets and its tough to find a plane for less than 100$ an hour.

5k minimum is also a little low. $6500 is usually what a lot of places say. It all depends on skill/leaning ability and location

Costs have gone up over the past few years.

Checked at a local school and your numbers are on the mark for schooling costs.

Cessna Training Kit $ 349
Aircraft Rental @ $122/ hour (54 hours Cessna average*) $ 6,588
Flight Instruction @ $45/hr (35 hours Cessna average) $ 1,575
Ground Instruction @ $45/hr (15 hours pre/post flight ) $ 675
Written Test $ 100
FAA Medical $ 85
FAA Check-ride $ 400
AVERAGE TOTAL $ 9,772

Another school has Cessna costs for a 172P @ $100 w/ instruction costs $5 less.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Some friends just bought a used Cessna that's big enough for their family of four plus some cargo. Don't remember the exact model or how old the plane was but it cost them $40k. Maintenance on top of that. They live in Alaska though and can't go on road trips due to lack of roads in their area, so they justify it by saying it's like a normal American family's SUV for family outings.

I would love to win a lottery enough to get a 6 passenger twin with floats and buzz up along the Gulf of Alaska.

But all it is is a dream

 

[EagleKeeper]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Controlled_flight_into_terrain

and, i can't see how it's no more dangerous than a car. if your car breaks down while you're using it, you most likely will glide to a gentle stop. the same is not true for fixed-wing aircraft.

Few fixed wing accidents happen in good weather.

Most are when the pilot pushes himself or the plane beyond acceptable limits.

If the engine fails, you can still glide (as long as you do not panic) and get down fairly safely. You may hurt the plane a little if you can not come down on a road or smooth field.

 

[skyking]

I`m assuming you`re kidding.

That would be incorrect. An introductory ride is with a certified instructor and you will get to fly the plane. The whole purpose of the flight is to get you "hooked" or to find out you don't really like it.

 

[0roo0roo]

probably more prone to n00b pilot error.
i do remember a documentary on plane crashes mentioning that private jets crash more..because the rich clients have a habit of pressuring pilots to go out in sh*tty conditions to meet schedules.

 

[skyking]

Few fixed wing accidents happen in good weather.

Most are when the pilot pushes himself or the plane beyond acceptable limits.

If the engine fails, you can still glide (as long as you do not panic) and get down fairly safely. You may hurt the plane a little if you can not come down on a road or smooth field.

Indeed! I have experienced the thrills of the engine failure and "off airport landing" while on my first solo cross country flight. It was a one in a million chance but I guess it was my lucky day. Most pilots will fly a lifetime without a single engine problem.

 

[Dirigible]

I would love to win a lottery enough to get a 6 passenger twin with floats and buzz up along the Gulf of Alaska.

But all it is is a dream

Here's a pic from my vacation a few weeks ago. Mighty fun flying around in that.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

Few fixed wing accidents happen in good weather.

Most are when the pilot pushes himself or the plane beyond acceptable limits.

If the engine fails, you can still glide (as long as you do not panic) and get down fairly safely. You may hurt the plane a little if you can not come down on a road or smooth field.

steve fosset was a better pilot than anyone here, and his unfamiliarity with local weather patterns took him into a mountain when his wing stalled.

 

[Freshgeardude]

Costs have gone up over the past few years.

Checked at a local school and your numbers are on the mark for schooling costs.

Cessna Training Kit $ 349
Aircraft Rental @ $122/ hour (54 hours Cessna average*) $ 6,588
Flight Instruction @ $45/hr (35 hours Cessna average) $ 1,575
Ground Instruction @ $45/hr (15 hours pre/post flight ) $ 675
Written Test $ 100
FAA Medical $ 85
FAA Check-ride $ 400
AVERAGE TOTAL $ 9,772

Another school has Cessna costs for a 172P @ $100 w/ instruction costs $5 less.

I was looking at this before.

You can split the aircraft rental fee with another person.

if you both split evenly, you can split the required costs by flying together.

thats what? 3.25k right there

 

[coxmaster]

I was looking at this before.

You can split the aircraft rental fee with another person.

if you both split evenly, you can split the required costs by flying together.

thats what? 3.25k right there

Uhh, while training you definitely cant split the rental fee...

 

[coxmaster]

I`m assuming you`re kidding.

No, hes dead serious. Almost all schools will let you fly shortly after take-off.

Hell, i landed it the first time I flew. Honestly, flying isnt as hard as a lot of people seem to think

 

[RavenSEAL]

It's as safe as how experienced the pilot is.

^This

 

[JMorton6]

No, hes dead serious. Almost all schools will let you fly shortly after take-off.

I`m DOING this!

 

[Synomenon]

Why don't they equip small airplanes with big emergency parachutes?

 

[The Boston Dangler]

ultralight aircraft don't require a license and are super cheap

 

[Freshgeardude]

ultralight aircraft don't require a license and are super cheap

A real ultra light isn't actually that cheap. 80k I believe

 

[Freshgeardude]

Uhh, while training you definitely cant split the rental fee...

Well maybe its different here in florida then because when I was looking into it me and my friend find out we could split the cost for flight hours.

Similarly you could join an aviation club and fly with those people

 

[shortylickens]

Less safe than small, private parts?

 

[coxmaster]

Well maybe its different here in florida then because when I was looking into it me and my friend find out we could split the cost for flight hours.

Similarly you could join an aviation club and fly with those people

Heh, I am here in Florida. Ive definitely never seen anywhere that lets you split hours. You have to have 40 hours of flight time, with you at the controls, in order to get your Private.


So even if you and a friend split the time, you each have to get the 40 hours anyway. Before you have your license there is no way for you to both log time

 

[coxmaster]

Why don't they equip small airplanes with big emergency parachutes?

They do (some). We had a thread about this recently somwhere

ultralight aircraft don't require a license and are super cheap

Most arent super cheap, and many of them have now become "light sport" which does require a license (although it is a cheaper license)

I`m DOING this!

Where you located?

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

Depends on who's flying I guess...

Me? Not very safe.
Anyone else... Meh.
Qualified pilot not high on meth or drunk on scotch? Meh...

 

[The Boston Dangler]

A real ultra light isn't actually that cheap. 80k I believe

that's bullshit! i'll make one out of a dirt bike and a tarp before i pay 80 grand

edit: here we go!!

 

[Patranus]

Anyone know how many more small plane flights happen per year compared to commercial?
How about small plane crashes compared to commercial?

I wonder if the rate is actually higher on a per flight basis.