lacofdfireman
Member
I absolutely love flying. I started working on my PPL about 4 years ago and didn't finish due to work and other things I had going on that made it hard for me to my instructor to work with me so I stopped. Only about 6hrs total but was basically taking off and landing by myself and loving every second of it. At the time I also considered commuting via airplane but for financial reasons this would not have been possible. Fast forward a few years and now this could be a real option and possibility for me.
I've taken a ride with Rosie out of SoCal and had a great time in his RV6. Great Pilot and great plane. I live in St. George Utah and work in Lancaster, CA where I am a Fireman. Been commuting by car for the past 7 years and have 10 more to go. The freeways are getting more crowded and my commutes seem to be taking longer. I have a 360 mile commute by road and it takes me about 6hrs or so to drive. I'm thinking by airplane I can cut that time in half even though the price per commute would be significantly higher. Time at home for me is a premium and every hour home is well worth it to me. I think someone once told me that from St. George to Lancaster, Ca is about 300sm. Also the weather between St. George and Lancaster is probably 90% of the time VFR. It's one of those things also where if I have to drive it's no big deal. I'd have a car at both ends and if the weather is bad I hop in the car and drive which isn't a big deal since I do it all the time anyways.
I'm an Engineer with the Fire Department and one of the other Engineers from my station just bought a Mooney and is commuting from Boise, ID. He flys a lot farther than I do but has sparked my interest after finding out he leaves work after me and is home way before me. Haha. One of my concerns is my size. I a big guy at 6'5 and 250lbs. Hoping to ask and find out which RV's would make the most sense for me. I'd probably budget about $70k or less for a plane. I hate everyone's opinions on this? What plane makes sense financially for minimal amount of time in the air (speed) and doesn't burn 15gph and will be comfortable enough for a big and tall? I've always read you should buy the plane the covers 90% of the type of flying you will do and you can rent for the other trips. So commuting would be my main thing so 2 seats is plenty. Don't need a Cessna 172-182 plus I'd like something a little faster and more fuel efficient.
Would love to hear some opinions on this. Sorry for any spelling or grammar mistakes.
I've taken a ride with Rosie out of SoCal and had a great time in his RV6. Great Pilot and great plane. I live in St. George Utah and work in Lancaster, CA where I am a Fireman. Been commuting by car for the past 7 years and have 10 more to go. The freeways are getting more crowded and my commutes seem to be taking longer. I have a 360 mile commute by road and it takes me about 6hrs or so to drive. I'm thinking by airplane I can cut that time in half even though the price per commute would be significantly higher. Time at home for me is a premium and every hour home is well worth it to me. I think someone once told me that from St. George to Lancaster, Ca is about 300sm. Also the weather between St. George and Lancaster is probably 90% of the time VFR. It's one of those things also where if I have to drive it's no big deal. I'd have a car at both ends and if the weather is bad I hop in the car and drive which isn't a big deal since I do it all the time anyways.
I'm an Engineer with the Fire Department and one of the other Engineers from my station just bought a Mooney and is commuting from Boise, ID. He flys a lot farther than I do but has sparked my interest after finding out he leaves work after me and is home way before me. Haha. One of my concerns is my size. I a big guy at 6'5 and 250lbs. Hoping to ask and find out which RV's would make the most sense for me. I'd probably budget about $70k or less for a plane. I hate everyone's opinions on this? What plane makes sense financially for minimal amount of time in the air (speed) and doesn't burn 15gph and will be comfortable enough for a big and tall? I've always read you should buy the plane the covers 90% of the type of flying you will do and you can rent for the other trips. So commuting would be my main thing so 2 seats is plenty. Don't need a Cessna 172-182 plus I'd like something a little faster and more fuel efficient.
Would love to hear some opinions on this. Sorry for any spelling or grammar mistakes.