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The Perils Of Renting

Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2017 12:04 pm
by TimTaylor
I'm in North Carolina this week visiting relatives. So, 3 or 4 weeks ago I reserved the SkyCatcher at Lake Norman (14A) and Remos GX at Hickory (HKY). I went down to Hickory Monday only to find out the airplane had a flat tire and needed a new tube installed. It had been flown earlier in the morning, but wouldn't hold air very long. I rescheduled for tomorrow.

This morning I drove over to Lake Norman only to find out the SkyCatcher is being sold and no longer available for rent. I've been on the schedule for almost a month. You would think someone would do me the courtesy of looking at the schedule and calling to tell me it was no longer available. They started calling around to find out if the plane was still on their insurance policy, but I told them to forget it. I was too pissed off to fly. Race City Aviation at Lake Norman is one of the worst run businesses I think I have ever dealt with. This same thing happened once before when the plane was down for maintenance.

I wish I could bring myself to spending $60,000 on a toy. By the way, my friend's 1968 Mooney M20C is for sale on Barnstormers listed for $59,900. It is fully equipped and gorgeous.

Re: The Perils Of Renting

Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2017 1:31 pm
by Half Fast
TimTaylor wrote: I wish I could bring myself to spending $60,000 on a toy.

Look at this this way: that's still cheaper than a girlfriend, much cheaper than a wife, and much MUCH cheaper than a girlfriend if you already have a wife!

A true bargain!

Re: The Perils Of Renting

Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2017 3:13 pm
by TimTaylor
Unfortunately, my wife won't let me have a girlfriend. I've asked many times.

Re: The Perils Of Renting

Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2017 3:32 pm
by Jim Hardin
Both of these FBO's need to disappear!

Pop up items, tire, can't be scheduled but first thing we do with one is check the schedule and contact the renter's that are effected!

Otherwise we plan maintenance around the flight schedule whenever we can. Last week we were in the hanger and decided that when the Friday renter returns at 10:00 AM the 100 hour will start, overtime or Saturday for the mechanic is acceptable!

Then there was the cracked gear leg - pop up :cry:

But Selling a plane? Pull it off the schedule and call those signed up for it! Then deposit the check.

Re: The Perils Of Renting

Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2017 3:37 pm
by TimTaylor
Jim Hardin wrote:Both of these FBO's need to disappear!

Pop up items, tire, can't be scheduled but first thing we do with one is check the schedule and contact the renter's that are effected!

Otherwise we plan maintenance around the flight schedule whenever we can. Last week we were in the hanger and decided that when the Friday renter returns at 10:00 AM the 100 hour will start, overtime or Saturday for the mechanic is acceptable!

Then there was the cracked gear leg - pop up :cry:

But Selling a plane? Pull it off the schedule and call those signed up for it! Then deposit the check.
No. The one at Lake Norman is questionable IMHO. The Hickory, NC FBO is an excellent operation. The Remos I rent there is owned by an individual and hangered there. The plane landed with the flat tire just before I arrived at the airport.

I flew the Remos down to Greenville, SC for lunch today. It was a nice flight and everything worked as it should. It was my first flight since installing an AHRS module in my Stratux. It worked perfectly on my iPad Mini 4 running iFly GPS. It's amazing what you can get for $15 these days.

Re: The Perils Of Renting

Posted: Sun Jul 09, 2017 5:53 am
by Jim Hardin
TimTaylor wrote: .......
I flew the Remos down to Greenville, SC for lunch today. It was a nice flight and everything worked as it should. It was my first flight since installing an AHRS module in my Stratux. It worked perfectly on my iPad Mini 4 running iFly GPS. It's amazing what you can get for $15 these days.
As a general rule, the more time spent Looking Outside the cockpit far outweighs any gadget in the cockpit :P

Re: The Perils Of Renting

Posted: Sun Jul 09, 2017 12:10 pm
by TimTaylor
Jim Hardin wrote:
TimTaylor wrote: .......
I flew the Remos down to Greenville, SC for lunch today. It was a nice flight and everything worked as it should. It was my first flight since installing an AHRS module in my Stratux. It worked perfectly on my iPad Mini 4 running iFly GPS. It's amazing what you can get for $15 these days.
As a general rule, the more time spent Looking Outside the cockpit far outweighs any gadget in the cockpit :P
Really? I didn't know that. AHRS would be useful when IFR and there is nothing to see except the inside of a cloud. It could even happen to a pilot flying Light Sport VFR.

Re: The Perils Of Renting

Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2017 11:19 pm
by TimTaylor
I flew the Remos again yesterday for a $220 cheeseburger. It was a beautiful day for flying, clear and smooth. The Remos GX is a fun little airplane, but it feels almost like a toy. I much prefer the SkyCatcher. It feels more like a real airplane to me. Anyway, it's all good. I just love flying, regardless.

Re: The Perils Of Renting

Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2017 7:41 am
by MrMorden
TimTaylor wrote:I flew the Remos again yesterday for a $220 cheeseburger. It was a beautiful day for flying, clear and smooth. The Remos GX is a fun little airplane, but it feels almost like a toy. I much prefer the SkyCatcher. It feels more like a real airplane to me. Anyway, it's all good. I just love flying, regardless.
I thought you were in the process of buying a 162, or were you just considering it and decided against it?

Re: The Perils Of Renting

Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2017 1:30 pm
by TimTaylor
I actually made a deposit, then got cold feet and backed out. Using my deposit as pre-paid account for rental. I just can't bring myself to spend that much money for an airplane only I can enjoy, since my wife doesn't fly. Rental is better for me right now.

Re: The Perils Of Renting

Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2017 1:39 pm
by MrMorden
TimTaylor wrote:I actually made a deposit, then got cold feet and backed out. Using my deposit as pre-paid account for rental. I just can't bring myself to spend that much money for an airplane only I can enjoy, since my wife doesn't fly. Rental is better for me right now.
Cool. There are lots of ways to enjoy flying, and ownership does involve some real headaches.

Re: The Perils Of Renting

Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2017 2:20 pm
by Warmi
Life is one big headache anyway ...so we may as well get on with it :D

Re: The Perils Of Renting

Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2017 3:29 pm
by TimTaylor
MrMorden wrote:
TimTaylor wrote:I actually made a deposit, then got cold feet and backed out. Using my deposit as pre-paid account for rental. I just can't bring myself to spend that much money for an airplane only I can enjoy, since my wife doesn't fly. Rental is better for me right now.
Cool. There are lots of ways to enjoy flying, and ownership does involve some real headaches.
That's a big part of my reluctance. I've owned 3 airplanes in the past and not all that anxious to get involved again. I'm embracing a minimalist lifestyle now and have just about gotten rid of everything I own except for a few cloths and stuff jointly owned with the wife. Other than that, I'm down to 11 items worth $7,000, including my Tahoe. I did, however, buy a new 65 inch LG OLED C7 the other day. WOW is all I can say.

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https://www.dropbox.com/s/uvasixcjk8czb ... 2.jpg?dl=0