Renting Aircraft

[borntofly]

HI! So I've been looking around and attempting to do some research on single-engine aircraft rentals in Atlantic Canada, but it has been pretty unsuccessful, so I came here.

I was wondering what the deal with renting a plane is. What is the average rate? Is fuel included? Do additional passengers cost more? If you rent a plane for an hour, can you do 3 -20 minute flights?

Any information would be awesome! Even if it doesn't pertain to Atlantic Canada. I know it's different at each flying center, but a general idea would be nice, so I would know what to expect.

I'm accepted to power 2008, and being the crazy, excited, enthusiastic person I am, I have started to ponder this already for post-power. It'd be nice to take family + friends flying after I (hopefully!) get my power wings!

Thanks!

[Abdi1129]

well...i am on the other side of the country (pacific);) , but im pretty sure the rules are the same here.

For solo flying, its around $120/hr, and for dual, its around $170/hr. many, or all flight schools/centers increase the rate if the fuel costs are high...and in the time we live in, gas prices are rising like crazy. And yes the fuel price is included in the above prices.

yes...i think it costs more to bring more people up with you.

I have no idea about this (hopefully someone can confirm, since I too got accepted to power:woot:, and have only 30 min flying experience:slaphead:), but I think the way it works is...you rented an aircraft for an hour...they dont care what you do to it. they just charge you from the engine's starting time to the time its shut off...I think (agian, im not sure, it would be very helpful if somebody replied, thx)

[j-18]

yes...i think it costs more to bring more people up with you.




As far as any PAX, you can trent a C172 and they don't care how much PAX you have...they charge by the hour...here in London, ON, the average is about $150 wet.

~T.P~

[Oke A]

Everyone is in the ball park for rental rates solo vs dual. As for charging more for more pax is not true. The rental rate is from engine start to engine stop regardless of how many people are in the plane. As for them not caring how many pax you carry is also not true. Fully loaded planes take off and land VERY different to light planes (much like flying a glider solo vs. dual). If you want to fill every seat, you will likely have to do a "full load check" with an instructor (ie. You, instructor, two buddies in the back) Then you'll be good to go.

Every centre is different though ... keep that in mind.

You can shut down, start up, or divy up your rental time block how ever you please.

Any other questions that you have feel free to ask ... no matter how silly they may be.

[B_Clark]

There isn't really much that hasn't been said, but one thing that would be good to check is whether the place you rent from has a "dry" rate or a "wet" rate. Wet including fuel, and Dry being without. I never had to do a "full load check", but you can expect to usually have to do some kind of checkride when renting at a new place or if you havn't flown there for a while. (unless of course you did your training there)

[Oke A]

Along with being "current" at the flight training unit ... usually you must fly at least once every 30 days otherwise you will need a check flight.

[borntofly]

Soo technically for around $150 I could have 3 20ish minute flights, with different passengers each time.. generally speaking.

[B_Clark]

Soo technically for around $150 I could have 3 20ish minute flights, with different passengers each time.. generally speaking.

Yup, thats pretty much the average give or take a few dollars.

[jocko417]

Hehe borntofly, sounds like you already have a bunch of volunteers for rides ;) What places are you thinking of renting from?

[Abdi1129]

Soo technically for around $150 I could have 3 20ish minute flights, with different passengers each time.. generally speaking.

remember...these guys charge by the hour...and three 20 min shifts might not be enough. your first shift is going to need a longer time:

Duration: 2 min (0 min in) - Engine start/getting ready to taxi
Duration: 2 min (2 min in) - Taxi to run-up area
Duration: 2 min (4 min in) - Run-up
Duration: 2 min (6 min in) - Taxi to runway
Duration: 3 min (8 min in) - Take-off/Climb to 2000 feet
Duration: 10 min (11 min in) - Flying leisure
Duration: 2 min (21 min in) - Downwind/Base
Duration: 1 min (23 min in) - Final/Touch-down
Duration: 2 min (24 min in) - Taxi to drop-off or parking area
Duration: 0 min (26 min in) - Engine shut-off

Now all these timings are all approximate...as you can see, it will take about 26-30 min for just the first shift:wow::eek:...and that doesnt look to good for the second and third shifts:slaphead:.

I dont know if they do this, but can somebody confirm if flight centers can charge by the minute so you wont have to buy a whole extra hour for just 15 min extra in that extra hour?

[jocko417]

Your point is valid, if you want to fly for one hour you could need more than an hour and a half of time set aside for the flight, ie. if you plan to be airborne at noon the airplane will have to be available around 11:30 or so to give you time to fill out the rental paperwork, review any airworthiness snags that might affect the flight, perform a pre-flight inspection on the aircraft, brief passengers on safety equipment (just like the airlines do, it's a Transport Canada requirement when carrying passengers), and get strapped in ready to go.

Most clubs use meters in the airplanes to record time flown, calibrated in tenths of hours (so technically you are charged in six-minute increments). They run off electrical power and oil pressure so they are active only while the airplane is being used. So you are only charged for time 'flown', not time 'booked'.

[Insane Power Pilot]

Along with being "current" at the flight training unit ... usually you must fly at least once every 30 days otherwise you will need a check flight.

Really? At my flying club, if you are licensed and have over 100 hours, as long as you meet Transport Canada's "two year requirement" you're good to go. We do require an annual flight review with one of our instructors though (which satisifies the "two year requirement" anyway.) It is much more strict if you want to take the DA42 out for a solo...you need a checkout every 90 days if you have less than 50 hours multi.

With regards to booking, it isn't frowned upon to book a two hour slot for a one hour flight. It is frowned upon, however, to book a 4 hour slot for the same flight, or to book a two hour slot for a three hour flight.

They will also let you book an aircraft over several days for long cross-country trips, on the condition that you fly it a minimum of 3 hours per day on average.

[borntofly]

Ever since they found out I would be getting my single-engine licence, my friends have been all over me asking for flights, haha. And well, what pilot can give up an excuse to fly.

I'm not sure exactly where I'll be renting, or the exact places aircraft are available. I'm thinking of renting from Gander Flight Training, but I don't know very much about it, or if they even rent at all. Further research will commence when I get more time ahha!

[jocko417]

Currency rules depend on the club (and the insurance company it uses). 30 day rules or annual checkrides each answer the question of whether or not the pilot is competent. Both ways of thinking have pros and cons, if you fly at least once every 30 days you don't need to log a dual trip, but an annual check isn't a bad thing either, you may develop bad habits that go unchecked.

[Lawn Dart]

Gander is a pretty good place to fly. They do rent aircraft there. When I was last up there (2 and a half years ago), it was about $110/hour for a Cessna 152 solo and $130ish for a 172, fuel included. If you've never flown there before or haven't been within a certain time peroid (30 days mabey?) you'll need an hour long check ride with an instructor before you go solo (it was about $175 for the hour at the time). Watch the forecast closely though. I've driven out from St. John's twice to have my clear sunny skies turn into a 800ft ceiling right over the airport :banghead:

[Frauspi]

Another option is to get a timeshare on an airplane. Talk to local aircraft owners and see if anyone knows of any owners doing this. I am currently sharing an aircraft with several other people, and am only paying $65/hr wet air time(fuel included and not paying for taxiing). The only disadvantage is you will need to pay for insurance, plus depending on the club, a membership fee. With the fixed fees it works out cheaper than renting a 152 if you fly more than 2 hours per month. Good way to build time if you have a part time job.

[Insane Power Pilot]

Another option is to get a timeshare on an airplane. Talk to local aircraft owners and see if anyone knows of any owners doing this. I am currently sharing an aircraft with several other people, and am only paying $65/hr wet air time(fuel included and not paying for taxiing). The only disadvantage is you will need to pay for insurance, plus depending on the club, a membership fee. With the fixed fees it works out cheaper than renting a 152 if you fly more than 2 hours per month. Good way to build time if you have a part time job.

Good point, Frauspi. Many advantages to ownership: it is typically easier to take the plane out on a trip for several days, the plane's usually there when you want to use it, and you get a good knowledge of the maintenance and upkeep of the plane.

[borntofly]

I know this is kind of a long shot, but does anyone know if there are places to rent planes in Cape Breton? Preferrably around Sydney. Thanks!

[Oke A]

Michelle,

Is there even an airport at either of those said locations? It looks to me that there is only a heli pad at the Cape Breton Hospital.

Can you name any airport nearest to you and I'll take another look in the Canadian Flight Supplement.

[jocko417]

CYQY, Sydney, NS.

[borntofly]

What he said. Thanks!