AircraftOwner Online

    If you’re like me, you love flying – sometimes to get somewhere and other times just for the fun of it – and there is no time like vacation time to fly. The weather tends to be good and because you’re on vacation, you can plan a more leisurely trip that avoids the chance for “get homeitus”.

    First, take a look at all of your options for travel. Last year I ran the numbers for a trip to and from OSH, assuming a departure from Amarillo, Texas. That article caused quite a stir because it proved that the General Aviation option was clearly better than either the Airlines or driving a car.

    So, why not plan a cross country vacation yourself and see how it works out. First by figuring your total cost for a trip in your car. Be sure to include hotels, food and fuel along the way. If you want to factor in “travel time” you could add something for the days you will spend sitting behind the wheel vs. enjoying your destination.

    Then then take a look at the airline travel time and cost. Don’t forget to include luggage charges, parking if you need it, time to and from the big airport, etc. Unless you elect to travel from one big hub to the other, and purchase your tickets well in advance, the airline option will not be all that great.

    Now pull out your Pilot’s Operating Handbook and plan a trip to someplace fun. Be sure to use one of the free fuel stop planning aids on the Internet to help keep your fuel cost at rock bottom. Don’t forget: when you are flying yourself it’s easy to take side trips you would simply not take in your own car. Plus, side trips are impossible when you are on airlines.

    How about car rentals? I have found that many times you can get a free loaner car at an FBO if you just buy fuel (and sometimes even if you don’t). This helps make lunch stops a lot more fun than some McDonald’s along the freeway. You can stop at small towns and small airports that add an extra spice and slice of life to your travels. Even on overnight stops you can often borrow the car for free.

    Then there is simply the fun of flying yourself. It’s easy to vagabond around the country when you are on vacation. Pick some destinations that you have always wanted to visit. For example, have you ever flown Out West? It’s a lot of fun and not nearly as difficult as some people seem to believe, particularly when you choose your routes carefully.

    Sure, if you are going to fly some mountain passes you should brush up on your higher altitude/terrain flying skills. Thinking about it is often more imposing that actually doing it. Take Jackson Hole for example.

    I can’t tell you how many people say they would never fly into Jackson Hole. Heck, you would think it’s at the bottom of a crater somewhere. Fact is, it is not really that difficult if you plan for it. And if you don’t like the idea of flying into Jackson, you can elect to visit nearby Driggs, Idaho or West Yellowstone, Montana both of which have even easier approaches.

            It really does not matter where you elect to visit. The point is, you own an airplane – why not use it for your vacation? Plan it out and you will discover General Aviation offers your vacation many more options, more than likely at a lower price than driving or flying commercially.