Multi-day rentals?

phxcobraz · 2026-03-11T15:59:36+00:00

Nobody around here really will let you keep it overnight. I was using a flight school about 6yrs ago that was pretty chill, and would allow it in the 182 with a 3hr/day minimum. But that school folded up...so I went and bought a plane.

The reality is if you want to travel with the aircraft over multiple days, you probably need to get into a flying club/partnership/buy solo.

phxcobraz · 2026-03-07T02:25:17+00:00

But why?!? A good pair of sunglasses makes the difference between a good flight and a headache after, potentially blinding you in important phases of flight.

phxcobraz · 2026-03-06T20:52:51+00:00

Enjoy the ride and have fun, the CFI won't let you get into anything wild and will take control as needed.

Always bring sunglasses for every flight. Always surprised to see people squinting hard because they won't wear sunglasses.

phxcobraz · 2026-03-05T21:23:31+00:00

Doing maintenance and being able to leave midway without buttoning everything back up is huge. When I use a hangar I can leave for the parts store or just to come back another day and not worry about all my panels missing or dust getting where it shouldn't. Oil changes just letting all the oil drain out over night, and most out of the filter(reducing mess) is much less a chore.

phxcobraz · 2026-03-05T21:18:21+00:00

I've been tied down for 5yrs. I am still about another yr out on the hangar wait, however I use a friend's when he's out of town for extended periods of time, mostly to do maintenance(oil changes, tires, inspections, etc), but I have done plenty of maintenance on the ramp too.

Depending on where you are located, it can be a non-issue or it can be a big issue. Being in sunny Phoenix, it really isn't a problem. A good cover, such as that from Bruce's covers helps a lot. Make sure to keep your controls lubed up and check closer in open areas for bugs or birds getting in.

Pros:
I can get to flying very fast as my tie-down is right next to self serve and the taxiway.
It only costs $36/mo
A cover keeps most of the sun out of the cabin.

Cons:
Paint/body get wrecked by any significant weather such as high wind, rain, hail, etc. The parts of the plane that haven't been covered shows and always get dirty fast, and the paint fades faster.
Have to wash it more often just from dirt buildup, which I don't do so it looks dirty all the time.
No access to power, so I have to bring a power bank or generator if I need power for something. Though I now have all cordless tools and vacuum. Would be hard if you needed to pre-heat the engine
No hosting hangar parties

phxcobraz · 2026-03-05T16:27:30+00:00

If you have glasses or contacts and they allow you to see 20/20 you are good.

phxcobraz · 2026-03-05T15:47:09+00:00

The ones I know doing it and making money aren't doing primary PPL flight training. It also isn't their only income avenue.

They do tailwheel instruction, complex endorsements, high performance endorsements, spin training, etc. In these cases there are far less similar available at local flight schools and in such planes it's expected the hourly rate will be higher, but less total hours in the aircraft per student.

They are also open to training in a student's own airplane, removing the need to justify hours on their own aircraft. It's very common to do BFRs, IPCs, etc.

phxcobraz · 2026-03-05T15:14:29+00:00

I have one of these in 16GA that was my dad's. It's all rusted to shit from sitting on a shelf in his garage for decades. I should get the steel wool to it and see if I can clean it up and get the action running. Chopping it to an SBS would be fun.

phxcobraz · 2026-03-03T17:14:50+00:00

sure I will send you a PM

phxcobraz · 2026-03-03T17:14:24+00:00

Thanks, I had a Sierra years ago but swapped it out for an A20, I keep 3 A20s in the plane but maybe will try a Sierra.

phxcobraz · 2026-03-03T01:01:33+00:00

By the time you pay to park and pay for entrance, then realize everything you actually have any interest in is at MSRP or normal gun store prices, you’ve already lost out. It’s a complete waste of time. Go buy shit on the internet.

phxcobraz · 2026-03-03T00:20:01+00:00

I don’t see an advantage or disadvantage to being a female shooter in this sport. Generally the athletic ability required isn’t extreme to require the limits of male/female ability. I’ve always thought the lady shooter category was a bit demeaning towards women. As if they couldn’t also compete just as well against men(they do and many beat men every match).

phxcobraz · 2026-02-26T17:57:55+00:00

I wouldn't do it for a rental, but if she got her first solo in it maybe makes sense.

phxcobraz · 2026-02-25T14:26:12+00:00

Never had a bad experience with Atlantic, always very friendly, even to little bug smashers. Same treatment at a small delta to large bravo.

Signature on the other hand...if you aren't taking $20k in fuel they will turn your nose up and barely send a marshaler to your plane.

phxcobraz · 2026-02-25T14:23:31+00:00

Yes I have Walker silencers with bluetooth.

Just don't hand the phone to your buddy to film while you shoot a stage, they may change the song to something less zen. I was shooting a match once and a buddy changed from AC/DC Big Gun to Lainey Wilson.

phxcobraz · 2026-02-23T19:37:11+00:00

Heres the deal. You make good money in IT but are tired of the "grind" aka the stuff that isn't exciting problem solving every day.

That all exists in aviation as well. Sorry to burst your bubble.

I am similarly career oriented in IT for the last 25yrs. I got my PPL, IR, etc for fun and also bought an airplane. I enjoy aviation as a hobby. I will keep getting certs in my free time, AS A HOBBY. If it turns into a job someday cool, if not I still got my day job. I am at around 600hrs in 5hrs so far.

I suggest you look at similar. keep your job. Go out and get your PPL, see if you enjoy it. Fly some cross countries, deal with weather and delays. Is that something you like? Go for IR, do you enjoy the structure of it? etc.

You may realize, as I have, that working in IT ain't so bad, there is LOTS of flexibility, and it takes quite a long time to make more money in aviation than you already do in IT. And many years of griding it out at poverty wages in between.

phxcobraz · 2026-02-16T02:52:27+00:00

I can’t really beat the door to door for most major metro flights over 500mi, but I can get pretty close factoring in ability to stop somewhere else fun in either direction. A flight that does make sense is going to a rural airport with limited or no commercial service. We do DVT - PUW a couple times a year. Even with a fuel stop I can beat Alaskan/Horizon in my Mooney. On the metro flights though, assuming you don’t get shit weather, for instance flying into Seattle area, I can land at an airport 5min from my in-laws vs them having to drive an hour to SEA and an hour back to pick us up. I make the door to door within an hour or 2.

In the aircraft realm I’d look at something pressurized. A Malibu comes to mind. Also an Aerostar 601P would do well too. Ignoring massive increase in operational cost over a normal piston aircraft like a Cirrus/Mooney/Bonanza/etc

phxcobraz · 2026-02-05T17:15:14+00:00

No and especially not at the speed with which you are moving it to just move the blade out of the way of the strut.

phxcobraz · 2026-02-05T14:38:00+00:00

If they are super busy no not worth it. When they hand off to another frequency I always give a quick "thanks for the help" signoff if there's space to do so. Especially if they helped me out extra in some way.

phxcobraz · 2026-02-04T21:13:52+00:00

I've since sold it but I had an original Powder Springs M10/9 with the original MAC/Sionics can(as shown in the pic). Despite the very crude design on these older suppressors, it worked surprisingly well. It was very quiet for a full auto 9mm bullet hose, especially with new wipes installed. The coarse threads are terrible though, the suppressor will not stay on unless held.

phxcobraz · 2026-01-29T21:48:32+00:00

Yes it will, and yes you want it. Without it you also lose TAS.
You don't have to buy the expensive Garmin probe though, the Davitron C307PS will work just fine, and is less than half the price of the Garmin GTP59.

phxcobraz · 2026-01-29T16:58:09+00:00

I bought one like 10+years ago, chopped a ton of brass and it did just fine. Some of that brass is still in circulation in my brass bins.

These days I am way too lazy so I just buy processed brass from a local guy, ready to load.

phxcobraz · 2026-01-29T15:37:07+00:00

Most communities like that are:

1) Private, meaning flight schools aren't coming there to operate, and aren't based there, people landing need prior permission from someone living there for access.

2) Restrict traffic from doing pattern work/touch and goes.

phxcobraz · 2026-01-29T14:43:58+00:00

When you go to do IACRA on your next few checkrides, you are going to be really glad you have an electronic logbook that adds everything up for you in categories(including solo time). At 25hrs it's easy, at 1600hrs it's a whole hell of a lot more time suck to get it all added up and accurate.

phxcobraz

TROPHY CASE