I read crash reports from time to time. Pilot without a lot of experience in faster planes trades up for a faster plane and can't keep up with the situation happens time and again.
It seems like there is a sort of multi level system of pilots out there and the slower and forgiving planes keep a lot of folks safe who otherwise might be in trouble in something faster.
Additionally, the fastest of aircraft, jets, typically operate with 2 crew members so the odds of a critical mistake from both pilots falling behind at the same time is drastically reduced.
So, there's definitely an opportunity for wealthy, owner-operator pilots to fly fast aircraft that might be too much airplane for them. Turbofan aircraft do require an additional type rating (i.e. more training/qualification). Type ratings however do not expire, so one could find themselves in a situation where they're legally allowed to fly but not proficient enough to do so safely.
I read a report where the pilot was trying out a turbofan that his employer was looking at buying. The guy selling the plane felt like the pilot was just not keeping up with the plane, didn't sell it to the charter company.
Charter company got another plane somewhere else ( it didn't say how or where ). On a flight the pilot somehow didn't notice the autopilot disconnected, plane drifted into this long turn. Once the pilot realized something was up he grabbed the controls and pulled them hard over and snapped off the wings.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/14/61.58
So, while it’s technically true that the type rating does not expire, you still need annual training and certification.
Extra guy, more chances of keeping on top of things, etc.
Cessna with fixed gear, one engine, no autopilot: if suddenly you find yourself in a dangerous or scary situation there’s not much you have to check to get a troubleshooting picture of the situation.
Turbo twin with all the bells and whistles: not only are you traveling much faster (possibly in to a dangerous situation) but there a ton more inputs and variables to take in and a lot more things you can change to right the situation. It can be overwhelming.
Ah, less esoteric, probably the cowl flaps.
With fewer and fewer planes being made, the remaining planes continue to get more and more expensive. The world of general aviation shrinks each year, and as such the prices continue to climb.
Fortunately, there are a number of clubs where people pool their money into collective ownership of airplanes. Its roughly $150/flight hour (more or less, depending on the club's equipment of course). If I were to ever go into GA, I'd probably start with a club to get my earlier licenses.
$15,000 and a few months would be all you need to get your pilot's license and start flying (including the price of flight instructors / ground schools). Overall, cheaper than I expected. You wouldn't want to go into this hobby thinking you'd save money... at best you save time inside of a certain range (Cessna only cruise at 160mph, while commercial airlines cruise at 500mph. As such, GA flights need to be within 2 or 3 hours (or ~1 hour commercial flight) to even save time).
PS: A new set of paragliding equipment runs 10-15k, but it’s more like a jet pack than a traditional aircraft.
Trade-a-plane is like the eBay for GA.
If you get a Luscombe, make sure to fly it in favorable weather conditions only :)
I wouldn’t especially call Luscombes nice planes. I’m not a fan of their stall characteristics or ground handling. A J-3 is the most expensive airplane in the group for its capabilities. You’re paying a lot for that “Piper Cub” name.
I think Taylorcrafts are a good bang-for-your-buck. I’m also partial to Citabrias.
I’ve flown about 20 types of small taildraggers, for whatever that’s worth.
I’ve flown about 20 types of small taildraggers
GA flights need to be within 2 or 3 hours (or ~1 hour commercial flight) to even save time).
I read a story a couple of years ago where a group of SV execs and engineers live in eastern Oregon and commute by GA, sharing expenses.
There also used to be a regular small plane service between Peachtree/Dekalb and Birmingham, AL for BellSouth personnel operated by the company. BellSouth split it's HQ between both places.
https://jalopnik.com/apologize-for-nothing-when-you-own-the-...
https://jalopnik.com/this-near-mint-20-year-old-toyota-camry...
We enjoy having fun cars but try to always have a reliable Toyota as our daily- and long distance- driver.
> [...] A former British special forces soldier, who asked not to be identified because he still consults on active operations, says he too has faced the Hilux, which he refers to as "the technical," in both Iraq and Afghanistan. "I'd say the appeal is pretty simple," he says. "You can't underestimate the value of having a vehicle that is fast, will never break down, and is strong enough to mount a heavy weapon in the back."
https://www.newsweek.com/why-rebel-groups-love-toyota-hilux-...
The grunts are going to love whatever solves their problems. Whatever vehicle they get to ride in instead of walking is going to get massive praise because whatever it is is worlds better than walking. That doesn't mean it's a automatically better than any other vehicle.
Armies, even non-professional ones don't count "reliability" the way armchair car enthusiasts do. Armchair car enthusiasts generally take for granted the ability to get parts. Armies see that as a supply line they need to spend resources securing. Armchair car enthusiasts consider labor expensive. Armies see labor as cheap. (relatively speaking) because for them it's an issue of ratios, 20 trucks per mechanics vs 21 is a calculation but it isn't big deal compared to "we can commandeer parts for these in any town" vs "we can only get parts for these from X Y or Z".
North African and middle eastern armies run Hiluxes because the logistics for the supply chain for those vehicles exists where they are in the world already making the supply lines comparatively harder to interrupt than some foreign vehicle that has less market penetration locally.
If Yugos were what was locally available then that's what these groups would use.