Hangar Flying

They must pay you by the word....
THat is some killer performance though you can really get that Variez moving. When you say 400lb payload, is that wet or dry? I weigh 220 lbs by myself.

You must pay for an annual, you have to get it certified. $100 Burrito, at 4 GPH hardley. You should convert it to run auto gas. What are you paying for hanger space?

I still want to find a good Long Ez or Variez and buy a used one. Save $$ and time into flying it. How is the payload the same for a Long Ez and VariEz?

Are you IFR rated?

I am trying to figure out just how expensive aircraft ownership really is.

How much is an annual certification? How much are enigine overhauls?

I think my mission is to try to fly economically, so I can log lots of hours. I like the efficiency and distance of a Variez but I would like to have luggage....a passenger would be nice.

Stop up if you ever fly into Minneapolis.

I am totally new and just looking to take the plunge to learn to fly. If I have a pilot's licence, I would like to be able to fly....Flying clubs look to be about $55 per hour dry at the cheapest, plus monthly dues of $60 per month for a Cessna 172.

I am lusting over a Long Ez or even a VariEz. I would like to buy not build. It looks like Long Ez go for about $35,000 and Variez for $20,000 or so. How difficult is it to own an aircraft? How expensive is maintenance? How much is the annual? Is an overhaul $20,000?! Hanger space....

Can Long Ez and VariEz land on grass fields? How hard are they to learn to fly? Do they have flaps? What is a useful payload on these two? It looks like the Variez has a Max takeoff weight of 1,050 lb and an empty weight of 580 lb for a payload of 470....Which is 230 lb of me 200 lbs of passenger and not much gas.....

Thanks Glennbob. I have been reading and watching a bunch of videos on the internet. I am just eating it up. I am really interested in learning about flying. I am trying to find a good deal. I can afford it, I am a CPA and do well enough, but I am far from rich....I like a good value. I really wish I could find a partner or two to split a Long Ez. That seems like the way to go.  I want to find some pilots around just to BS about flying with. I do not see pilots just hanging round the airport and am I even allowed to just hang round in the hanger area? The road is fenced off.....

Dear Mr.  AMC.

You didn't mention your age.  That may be a determining factor.  If you're  85 , . . .well then . . .you might just want to watch them fly by, . . .but . . if you're any less than that ! ! !    GO  FOR  IT  ! !   =  ).

 

Cheapest way to obtain your pilots license is to buy a good used Cessna 150,  with some hours left on it, and find a cheap flight instructor.  Get your ticket, and then sell the bird. You can probably achieve all that (if you're a good shopper and seller), for about 5 K.   Flying is expensive, but if you want to do it, . .cut something else outta your budget.  I don't think I know too many folks who have said, . ." Boy, . .I wish I'd never gotten my PPL ! !  "   ! !   =  ). 

The name is Brian and I am 32 years old, too late to learn to fly?

I am also trying to figure out the best way to learn to fly. There is an airport 5 miles from my house that has a flight school. That seems like an expensive option. When you say buy a used Cessna 150, it is not that simple. Where do I store it? Hanger space is $$ and where does one find a CFI unattached to a school who will charge less and not require me to rent their plane for $90 per hour?

I am sitting on the fence, should I or should I not?

Flying is something I have considered since high school and attending EAA Oshkosh, where I lusted after Long Ez.

I know it is a HUGE commitment to get a PPL and am wondering if it is worth it. Even if I had the PPL, would it be worth having?

1.   Renting a plane is about $100 per hour and would not really be conducive to just flying for the fun of it and taking cross country trips.

2.   Joining a club would still be about $50 per hour plus other club dues and flying less efficient aircraft.

3.   Owning a Long Ez. It seems I could own one of these for $35,000 for a good one. I would not want to build. I am handy enough to do things like swap motors in my AMX, so I am a bit mechanical and could maybe maintain an aircraft. There are other things to consider, like hanger space $$$ and dues. I am sure there are many other things to consider that I have no idea of and that is why I am posting here.

All thoughts are appreciated.

Any Long Ez in Minnesota? Maybe I can help you with maintenance in exchange for a bit of advice. I would just like to hang around some pilots and airports to get the feel of if this is right for me.

Thanks