subject: How to Fly for Less Without Flying Less of an Airplane [print this page] How to Fly for Less Without Flying Less of an Airplane
If you have flown a general aviation aircraft recently you might have noticed the prices are not just high, but are starting to create a limited environment for staying current. Even the enthusiasts that are renting aircraft without fuel (renting dry) and buying their own fuel are feeling the pinch of higher fuel prices. The Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) market has certainly blossomed into a mainstream event in the general aviation community over the last decade. Most aviators have flying in their blood and have to find a way to continue flying without mortgaging their possessions for a flight to their favorite destinations. Aircraft owners and pilots alike are starting to take notice of this newer segment of general aviation and capitalizing on the savings the light sport aircraft offer. Taking off in a SportCruiser from Orlando, FL in the afternoon we arrived in Sebring, FL about 33 minutes later. That's still as good or better than most of the GA training aircraft on the market, and we saved well over $100 on fuel alone, before calculating the savings realized on maintenance. One of the benefits of Light Sport Aircraft is reduced fuel consumption. A simple 3 hour trip will only need 12-15 gallons of fuel at over 75% power. 3 hours at even $5/ gallon will equate to 15 gallons or $75.00. This is quite a savings when you look at a non-LSA aircraft with equivalent instrumentation and feature. Lets examine the same trip in a a Cessna 172SP The Cessna burns 9-11 gallons an hour at 75% power. at 11 gal/hour for just $5/ gallon your fuel requirement is 33 gallons. At 33 gallons we have a fuel bill of $165. That is quite a difference for a trip. One fact is certain, fuel prices are going up. The real question is how to handle the fuel cost factor, for private owners and businesses alike. The Light Sport industry has much to offer and if you haven't looked at the options they create for your situation this is the time. There are a number of aviation websites available that are very informative and easy to read and you can't lose anything by just checking into the LSA market. You can also contact a local flight school, flight instructor or FBO to inquire about the Light Sport Aircraft that are available.
