steingar Posted June 14, 2017 Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 So, my home drome of the last 16 years is slowly going downhill. Of alarm, there are no longer dependable maintenance services on the field, which has negatively impacted my dispatchability. the airport down the road has dedicated maintenance and avionics facilities, and quite a bit more traffic. Because of hangar construction there are now spaces available, and I have the opportunity. The hangars are about the same as I'm leaving, perhaps a bit less (one outlet vs two, no fire extinguisher etc...) and the rent considerably more (about 30%). The wait list for the new airport tis long, I've been on it since the 90's, so this is my one and only chance. Should I go for it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsxrpilot Posted June 14, 2017 Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 Yes! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldguy Posted June 14, 2017 Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 Do it today! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsxrpilot Posted June 14, 2017 Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 I'm pretty sure $30 at HomeDepot on a fire extinguisher and power strip will bring you right up to the level of hangar you're in now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hank Posted June 14, 2017 Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 Go for it. Especially if it's closer to barbecue . . . JP's is pretty tasty! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rbridges Posted June 14, 2017 Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 I'd also consider approaches (if you fly IFR) and fuel availability/prices. If the 30% bump in rent is not huge, and the distance from home is not too far, I'd move. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlunseth Posted June 14, 2017 Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 So at my home FBO, I have been there for 7 years, the fee for hangar space was $125 and then went up modestly to $150 a month. They pull my plane in and out for me, maintenance and fueling are available with a phone call. The prices were all established when the economy was tanked, and the FBO building was a little white shack on the tarmac. Then they built a beautiful new building, put in a Jet A tank, started to host jets, lots of jets, and then, two months ago, doubled the rate to $300. Space today is at a premium at the towered, fully equipped airport and at most of the surrounding airports. A few years ago the airport was remodeled, and most of the remodeling was not helpful to pilots, it was done to move noise sources to different locations on the airport than where they were at the time. They took out all the runup pads except two, and those two are in different corners of the field, with the result that you need to do your runup while waiting in the takeoff line, and so does everyone else. Progress! Really beautiful new building! Jets! I miss that old white shack and those old, fair prices. Be careful what you wish for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steingar Posted June 14, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 28 minutes ago, Hank said: Go for it. Especially if it's closer to barbecue . . . JP's is pretty tasty! Actually, JPs is at my home drome, and does me little good (I'm a vegetarian). Where I'm thinking to move to there's a great brunch place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carusoam Posted June 14, 2017 Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 Went through the thought process the other day. The close airport near home is not as nice as the one I have used for two decades... Not making any changes... I'm a meatatarian, it takes a commitment... Best regards, -a- 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertGary1 Posted June 14, 2017 Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 I was in a similar, yet less voluntary situation. A few years ago when I had my engine failure I glided to the local big airport. I immediately established a residency at that airport because I knew I would take my time replacing the engine. So now I'm at big airport. Fuel is well over $6/gal but there is a great ILS, control tower and a 12,000 foot long runway to make you lazy. My previous airport was a small 2,500 foot runway down in a bowl in the foothills but with inexpensive gas and no approach. Obviously the big airport has far less pucker factor on take off not being down in a foothills bowl. I still wonder which is better. There are times I strongly consider going back to the small airport for the less expensive fuel and the airport manager that returns my calls when things break. -Robert 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dream to fly Posted June 14, 2017 Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 I'm in BFE North Dakota and have a hanger rent of 285.00 per month. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bartman Posted June 14, 2017 Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 I would move based on the info you gave, and even sounds like you could move right back to the current location if you decided you didn't like it for whatever reason. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
co2bruce Posted June 15, 2017 Report Share Posted June 15, 2017 I can't believe how cheap your hangers all are. In S Florida they are like $650 per month, $5 + for fuel. $100 hamburgers are like $150 here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davarron Posted June 15, 2017 Report Share Posted June 15, 2017 6 hours ago, steingar said: Actually, JPs is at my home drome, and does me little good (I'm a vegetarian). Where I'm thinking to move to there's a great brunch place. Where to? I74? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XXX Posted June 15, 2017 Report Share Posted June 15, 2017 7 hours ago, steingar said: Actually, JPs is at my home drome, and does me little good (I'm a vegetarian) Where I'm thinking to move to there's a great brunch place. Steingar, Say it isn't so. Please forgive me for this, but I have to at least give it a shot. For the common good. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mooniac15u Posted June 15, 2017 Report Share Posted June 15, 2017 1 hour ago, Davarron said: Where to? I74? I assume he's talking about OSU. They built a bunch of new hangars. I've been debating moving up there too. It's about 15-20 minutes closer to my house but it's also $125 more per month for the new hangars and $85 more per month for the older ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bravoman Posted June 15, 2017 Report Share Posted June 15, 2017 Approaches make a huge deal to me. I say that but PDK where I keep my Mooney is the second busiest field in the state behind Hartsfield and it has one precision approach (ILS) for 21L, a non precision GPS approach to the same runway, and a VOR circling approach to the "3s". The only other approaches are RNP gps approaches which most of us regular folk can't use. Not so hot for such a busy field. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thinwing Posted June 15, 2017 Report Share Posted June 15, 2017 8 hours ago, steingar said: So, my home drome of the last 16 years is slowly going downhill. Of alarm, there are no longer dependable maintenance services on the field, which has negatively impacted my dispatchability. the airport down the road has dedicated maintenance and avionics facilities, and quite a bit more traffic. Because of hangar construction there are now spaces available, and I have the opportunity. The hangars are about the same as I'm leaving, perhaps a bit less (one outlet vs two, no fire extinguisher etc...) and the rent considerably more (about 30%). The wait list for the new airport tis long, I've been on it since the 90's, so this is my one and only chance. Should I go for it? Yep Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browncbr1 Posted June 15, 2017 Report Share Posted June 15, 2017 Do it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mooniac15u Posted June 15, 2017 Report Share Posted June 15, 2017 Both airports have towers and approaches including ILS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steingar Posted June 15, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2017 11 hours ago, mooniac15u said: I assume he's talking about OSU. They built a bunch of new hangars. I've been debating moving up there too. It's about 15-20 minutes closer to my house but it's also $125 more per month for the new hangars and $85 more per month for the older ones. You assume correctly. I have a lease for a hangar with an electric door sitting in my inbox and I am going to sign it. I suggest you do likewise. If you need any coercion you can read this. Yes, it is more money (I'll be on the hook for $85/month) but access to services is worth it. If you don't believe me think about this. If your airplane goes down for something you can't fix, what will you do? if the new mechanic doesn't answer phone calls or work on your airplane, what do you do? I had a $45K investment hamstrung for a month because of a simple repair that I wound up contracting out to the airport up the road! What if the repair wasn't so simple? Here's the thing. TZR has 7 empty hangars right now, it'll likely be 8 after August 1. I guarantee those hangars at OSU are going to fill up quickly indeed. If you move, and you discover you don't like it, you'll have the opportunity to move back. If you move, and things really do turn around at TZR, you can move back. Honestly, if wouldn't take much. The mismanagement that pervades the airport is a thing of legend. Think about it, the only flight school and airplane rental in all of Columbus (OSU has clubs) and they can't stay open. The guy who ran it when I arrived was stealing. The guy who replaced him is breathing an little else. But if you shine on this opportunity to go to OSU, you won't have another. I've been on their waiting list for 17 years, and I wasn't even at the top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steingar Posted June 15, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2017 12 hours ago, Davarron said: Where to? I74? OSU. They've constructed new hangars, allowing some availability for newer and older ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HRM Posted June 15, 2017 Report Share Posted June 15, 2017 18 hours ago, RobertGary1 said: ...but there is a great ILS, control tower and a 12,000 foot long runway... Is there a break on insurance if your home base is towered? I believe I had heard that somewhere. (Please, no smart alecks saying that a tower increases liability) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertGary1 Posted June 15, 2017 Report Share Posted June 15, 2017 2 hours ago, steingar said: OSU. They've constructed new hangars, allowing some availability for newer and older ones. My son is a student there now so I've thought about flying out there. But from California it's not a quick flight. -Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mooniac15u Posted June 15, 2017 Report Share Posted June 15, 2017 3 hours ago, steingar said: You assume correctly. I have a lease for a hangar with an electric door sitting in my inbox and I am going to sign it. I suggest you do likewise. If you need any coercion you can read this. Yes, it is more money (I'll be on the hook for $85/month) but access to services is worth it. If you don't believe me think about this. If your airplane goes down for something you can't fix, what will you do? if the new mechanic doesn't answer phone calls or work on your airplane, what do you do? I had a $45K investment hamstrung for a month because of a simple repair that I wound up contracting out to the airport up the road! What if the repair wasn't so simple? Here's the thing. TZR has 7 empty hangars right now, it'll likely be 8 after August 1. I guarantee those hangars at OSU are going to fill up quickly indeed. If you move, and you discover you don't like it, you'll have the opportunity to move back. If you move, and things really do turn around at TZR, you can move back. Honestly, if wouldn't take much. The mismanagement that pervades the airport is a thing of legend. Think about it, the only flight school and airplane rental in all of Columbus (OSU has clubs) and they can't stay open. The guy who ran it when I arrived was stealing. The guy who replaced him is breathing an little else. But if you shine on this opportunity to go to OSU, you won't have another. I've been on their waiting list for 17 years, and I wasn't even at the top. The FBO is under new ownership. I don't have experience with their maintenance department yet but I'm cautiously optimistic. My lease runs through December. Have you found a way to get out of yours? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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