Flying, An Analysis of the Last Six Months

[KLRDMD]

Today I looked at my last six months of flights. The good news, there were a total of 66 flights.

The bad news:

Flights of 2+ hours - 1

Flights of 1-2 hours - 9

Flights of < 1 hour - 45

Flights of 30 min or less - 30

Over the last couple of years, my business use for an airplane has diminished to almost nothing now. That's good and by design, as I'm starting to slow down in business. But it seems right now I'm just going up by myself a couple of times a week but not going anywhere. Maybe it is time to move down to something fun 

[Niko182]

31 minutes ago, KLRDMD said:

Today I looked at my last six months of flights. The good news, there were a total of 66 flights.

The bad news:

Flights of 2+ hours - 1

Flights of 1-2 hours - 9

Flights of < 1 hour - 45

Flights of 30 min or less - 30

Over the last couple of years, my business use for an airplane has diminished to almost nothing now. That's good and by design, as I'm starting to slow down in business. But it seems right now I'm just going up by myself a couple of times a week but not going anywhere. Maybe it is time to move down to something fun 

its hard to have high time when you have a fast airplane. The old Bo's with the 550s really move.

[KLRDMD]

2 minutes ago, Niko182 said:

its hard to have high time when you have a fast airplane. The old Bo's with the 550s really move.

That they do. It is essentially Ovation 3 performance at half or less of the purchase price. I typically see an initial climb out of 1,800 fpm and still see 1,200 fpm at 10,000 ft. Normal cruise is 175-177 KTAS on 13 GPH.

Edited March 27, 2023 by KLRDMD

[carusoam]

+1 Flying, because you want to…. Vs flying because you have to….

No timelines… vs office opens at 8…
 

Retirement is best to be slipped into… not run into head on…

 

PP thoughts only, March, I might get three flying days in one month before it ends…

Best regards,

-a-

[milotron]

4 hours ago, KLRDMD said:

Today I looked at my last six months of flights. The good news, there were a total of 66 flights.

The bad news:

Flights of 2+ hours - 1

Flights of 1-2 hours - 9

Flights of < 1 hour - 45

Flights of 30 min or less - 30

Over the last couple of years, my business use for an airplane has diminished to almost nothing now. That's good and by design, as I'm starting to slow down in business. But it seems right now I'm just going up by myself a couple of times a week but not going anywhere. Maybe it is time to move down to something fun 

I feel your pain Ken. We live on an island which has good ferry service, but is not to my schedule. I fly to the mainland at least once a week, so last year had 70 something flights but many of them were 12 minutes VFR, or 18 minutes if IFR. The scenery is beautiful and I have had every weather encounter possible in these short trips, including significant icing, but was shocked to see how low the actual hours were once I added them all up at annual.

The commercials do this same flight and it is basically climb and approach, no cruise and lots of radio frequency flipping.

[Pinecone]

Since you are winding down, start taking some longer trip.  Fly to interesting places.  Fly further afield to sample airport restaurants.

[KLRDMD]

6 hours ago, Pinecone said:

Since you are winding down, start taking some longer trip.  Fly to interesting places.  Fly further afield to sample airport restaurants.

I've cut back on my business travel but so far have kept plenty busy closer to home with work so I don't yet have any extra time. Maybe over the next five years.

[Pinecone]

Start slowly. Fly to some $200 hamburger.  Then fly out to somewhere on Sat morning, come back Sunday.  Then make it a 3 day weekend, etc.

Plan a week vacation flying somewhere.   Over Xmas, we did a nice trip to Space Coast.  4 days today.  Did the Space Center, GatorLand (actually fun) and got to see a rocket launch.  And logged about 11 hours.

 

[KLRDMD]

Just now, Pinecone said:

Start slowly. Fly to some $200 hamburger.  Then fly out to somewhere on Sat morning, come back Sunday.  Then make it a 3 day weekend, etc. Plan a week vacation flying somewhere.   Over Xmas, we did a nice trip to Space Coast.  4 days today.  Did the Space Center, GatorLand (actually fun) and got to see a rocket launch.  And logged about 11 hours.

My wife doesn't fly with me so overnights aren't the best option. 

[midlifeflyer]

21 minutes ago, KLRDMD said:

My wife doesn't fly with me so overnights aren't the best option. 

That limits a lot of good options 

[KLRDMD]

Just now, midlifeflyer said:

That limits a lot of good options 

Yes. I've been flying since 1994. She has flown with me less than 10 times. I've always had a business use for airplanes though and averaged anywhere from 120-150 hours per year . . . until recently.

[Culver LFA]

KLRDMD Buy a Pitts, problem solved!

[KLRDMD]

Just now, Culver LFA said:

KLRDMD Buy a Pitts, problem solved!

I'm seriously considering something like that. I have a tailwheel endorsement but am far from competent right now. I was thinking maybe a Super Decathlon/Citabria/Champ as something that's somewhat gentle and still fun.

[Niko182]

1 hour ago, KLRDMD said:

I'm seriously considering something like that. I have a tailwheel endorsement but am far from competent right now. I was thinking maybe a Super Decathlon/Citabria/Champ as something that's somewhat gentle and still fun.

What about a J3?

[KLRDMD]

1 minute ago, Niko182 said:

What about a J3?

That's certainly an option too.

[Niko182]

1 minute ago, KLRDMD said:

That's certainly an option too.

It’s cheap and cheerful.

[Pinecone]

First problem, find a new wife.   
But then you may not be able to afford and airplane.

Tailwheel can be fun.  But the big question is, even then, will you fly it?  

[KLRDMD]

Just now, Pinecone said:

Tailwheel can be fun.  But the big question is, even then, will you fly it?  

I think I would. Looking at my last 6 months of flights, I have done 30 flights of less than 30 minutes each. Those could be 45-60 minutes just exploring low and slow around the area.

[Culver LFA]

6 hours ago, KLRDMD said:

I'm seriously considering something like that. I have a tailwheel endorsement but am far from competent right now. I was thinking maybe a Super Decathlon/Citabria/Champ as something that's somewhat gentle and still fun.

Good options, and insurable

I have a little over 40hrs with the Mooney this year, 19 in a J3.  Each one definitely has a purpose!

Edited March 27, 2023 by Culver LFA

[Mcstealth]

I wish I could just go fly!! Life has been really in the way for the last two years. I am jealous of your 30 minute flights. 

[KLRDMD]

15 minutes ago, Mcstealth said:

I wish I could just go fly!! Life has been really in the way for the last two years. I am jealous of your 30 minute flights. 

I live at an Airpark so that makes getting into the air frequently easier.

[exM20K]

If you can find one, a Diamond HK36 motorglider makes a great companion for exploring.  Getting the glider rating is a piece of cake, and the “motor” part of the motorglider takes all the launch/land out aggravation off the table.  Folding wings, if so equipped, make storage simple.  I sometimes regret selling my demo glider, but time wouldn’t permit me to use it enough.  It sounds like you have no such time issues.

-dan

[DCarlton]

On 3/26/2023 at 4:39 PM, KLRDMD said:

Today I looked at my last six months of flights. The good news, there were a total of 66 flights.

The bad news:

Flights of 2+ hours - 1

Flights of 1-2 hours - 9

Flights of < 1 hour - 45

Flights of 30 min or less - 30

Over the last couple of years, my business use for an airplane has diminished to almost nothing now. That's good and by design, as I'm starting to slow down in business. But it seems right now I'm just going up by myself a couple of times a week but not going anywhere. Maybe it is time to move down to something fun 

I’ve had similar thoughts.  Haven’t had a work related mission since before COVID.  Not really eager to travel any longer especially since rental cars have become harder to reserve on short notice. Spend most of my flying time maintaining currency with an occasional cross country.  Will see what happens this summer ….  

[thinwing]

along with the bravo ,i had a husky on amphib floats that wife and i flew into every lake and river within 100 miles plus yearly trips to Canada and alaska flyfishing on lonely river or lakes.Got an offer i couldnt refuse i guess once i stopped flying the husky so much and most or all long trips were in the 200 kt Bravo.Ive since started to regret that and started gyrocopter add on....

[KSMooniac]

Have you done any formation training such as the Mooney Caravan or Bonanzas to Oshkosh groups teach?  Tons of fun and camaraderie, even if you never join the group for the big event in July.  Getting proficient with that skill will open up your weekend flying possibilities as you'll want to practice with locals whenever you can.