| Flying is a great passion for me, I just love being airborne. "Silly grin" is probably a suitable description. However to get this I require an aircraft to fly in, and at the moment I see three options:
- Hire a plane when needed
- Pros
Cheapest option
Maintenance is someone else's problem
2 & 4 seat options available as needed
- Cons
1960s - 1980s technology
110-120 knot cruise
Limited availability (have to share with other club members)
Can't take away for extended periods without use
No influence on equipment / avionics fit out
- Buy a whole / share of a new / used aircraft
- Pros
Moderate cost option
Normally good availability
2 or 4 seat options
Some influence on equipment / avionics fit out
- Cons
1960s - 1990s technology
110-140 knot cruise
All maintenance must be completed by a qualified person (=$$/hour)
Limited choice of equipment / avionics for certified aircraft
- Build a kit plane (eg VANs RV)
- Pros
Brand new personalised aircraft (including glass avionics)
150-170+ knot cruise
All maintenance can be completed by yourself
- Cons
Can be the expensive option
Time to build
So it then comes down to a choice, and I made the emotional choice of build. This is not a financially logical choice and I reconciled that fact before making it. On the other hand I hope to have 20+ years of flying ahead of me and an RV provides a serious go-places aircraft.
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