996 Turbo or learn to fly?
05 September 2005, 07:55 PM
#1
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996 Turbo or learn to fly?
Slightly strange question perhaps. Dreamt about a 996TT since they first came out. Find myself in a position to be able to buy one but suddenly wondered is it worth it? Will I actually get to enjoy the 420 BHP monster on my daily 5 mile journey to work, with speed cameras/bumps, children running across the road etc.
The Porker would cost £55-60k and then circa £10k a year in depreciation/running costs. For £10k I'll be able to get my ppl and have money to fly a couple of hours a month.
As years go by, the money I'll save on not buying supercars would hopefully allow me to learn to fly more powerful machines(ie not just Cessna buckets). Maybe even do VERY SIMPLE aerobatics, if I have the ability.
If I buy a supercar I'll have learnt little. If I fly, it could be a lifetime of excitement and expanding my skills
Opinions??
The Porker would cost £55-60k and then circa £10k a year in depreciation/running costs. For £10k I'll be able to get my ppl and have money to fly a couple of hours a month.
As years go by, the money I'll save on not buying supercars would hopefully allow me to learn to fly more powerful machines(ie not just Cessna buckets). Maybe even do VERY SIMPLE aerobatics, if I have the ability.
If I buy a supercar I'll have learnt little. If I fly, it could be a lifetime of excitement and expanding my skills
Opinions??
05 September 2005, 08:00 PM
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Deep...if you go for the flying option just make sure they dont mistake you for a Muslim......you'll find yourself banged up in HMP Belmarsh faster than the 996 TT can go to 60!
On a serious note, go for the flying...at the end of the day a fast car is a fast car......flying is something else!
On a serious note, go for the flying...at the end of the day a fast car is a fast car......flying is something else!
05 September 2005, 08:16 PM
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Have Both 
Drive the TT to the plane
Seriously though, there are stunning roads to be had in this country, and even more so in Europe, all depends how much time you want to spend.
I'm Touring atleast 1 weekend in every month, if I had to use the car purely for going to and from work it would be a nightmare, not least because I work from home! 
I hate flying so can't comment, however I'm very tempted by a nice speedboat, could be next on the list
Drive the TT to the plane
Seriously though, there are stunning roads to be had in this country, and even more so in Europe, all depends how much time you want to spend.
I'm Touring atleast 1 weekend in every month, if I had to use the car purely for going to and from work it would be a nightmare, not least because I work from home!
I hate flying so can't comment, however I'm very tempted by a nice speedboat, could be next on the list
05 September 2005, 08:34 PM
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Can't see the point in a PPL for a couple of hours flying a month in a Cessna. A couple of lads at work have PPL's and haven't bothered with the flying once they achieved it . Get the porker , or something cheaper and fly BA Club World. Much more fun
05 September 2005, 09:51 PM
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Turboman, the name is SINGH not Mohammed! ( LOL)
TT to the plane would be nice! Where would you use the speedboat?
Roker, I've heard that comment a few times but don't really understand it. Why does it have to be a Cessna? Why not something more powerful/exciting? Saw some amazing turbo prop planes at Biggin Hill last weekend
Banana, how about getting high on coke with the hookers on the plane?
Deep
TT to the plane would be nice! Where would you use the speedboat?
Roker, I've heard that comment a few times but don't really understand it. Why does it have to be a Cessna? Why not something more powerful/exciting? Saw some amazing turbo prop planes at Biggin Hill last weekend
Banana, how about getting high on coke with the hookers on the plane?
Deep
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05 September 2005, 11:08 PM
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Originally Posted by Deep Singh
Turboman, the name is SINGH not Mohammed! ( LOL)
Deep
Deep
06 September 2005, 09:59 AM
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I got my PPL for 4k and an hour a week costs me £240 a month, which I usually split with friends who want a go. It wont cost you anything like owning a 996T. If you can afford the Porker you can most likely afford to do both.
06 September 2005, 10:09 AM
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Turboman, very true.
Kwak, what kind of plane do you fly? Is it feasible for someone like yourself to train up and get into something like a Sukhoi(or similar) to do SIMPLE stunts or are all those guys ex fighter pilots. What would the cost be?
I know this maybe sounds like trying to run before being able to walk but I just want to know what the possibilities are prior to spending time and money.
Deep
Kwak, what kind of plane do you fly? Is it feasible for someone like yourself to train up and get into something like a Sukhoi(or similar) to do SIMPLE stunts or are all those guys ex fighter pilots. What would the cost be?
I know this maybe sounds like trying to run before being able to walk but I just want to know what the possibilities are prior to spending time and money.
Deep
06 September 2005, 10:17 AM
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I fly a Slingsby Firefly T67 which is fully aerobatic so good for loops, barrel rolls, tail stalls, cuban eights etc. I've just started aeros so am still on wingovers and the like, but if the instructor can do them, its the same as a normal lesson. Weve got a 4 seat Robin DR400 for longer trips. I can go from Cambridge to Le Touquet in 1hr 15 mins, thats a nice trip in the summer.
06 September 2005, 10:26 AM
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My parents have a Bolkow 209 which is a mildly aerobatic aeroplane. Small planes are often fairly cheap to buy, but the hangarage and maintenence do add up. If you have sufficient spare time to devote to flying and keeping your license then you wouldn't regret it.
My parents bought the plane because whenever its nice and sunny, its a scramble to get one of the club's own planes because everyone else has got there first.
My parents bought the plane because whenever its nice and sunny, its a scramble to get one of the club's own planes because everyone else has got there first.
06 September 2005, 10:42 AM
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i would go flying if thats what you love...life is about experiences, not a fast bit of metal.
Goto your local school and try it, they should be able to answer all your questions.
Goto your local school and try it, they should be able to answer all your questions.
06 September 2005, 11:07 AM
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Originally Posted by GaryScoobNCBR
i would go flying if thats what you love...life is about experiences, not a fast bit of metal.
06 September 2005, 11:27 AM
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Originally Posted by davegtt
join the RAF and buy the porker.... best of both worlds
06 September 2005, 11:32 AM
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Originally Posted by kwakman
I fly a Slingsby Firefly T67 which is fully aerobatic so good for loops, barrel rolls, tail stalls, cuban eights etc. I've just started aeros so am still on wingovers and the like, but if the instructor can do them, its the same as a normal lesson. Weve got a 4 seat Robin DR400 for longer trips. I can go from Cambridge to Le Touquet in 1hr 15 mins, thats a nice trip in the summer.
Thanks for all the input so far guys.
The funniest thing is the wife is so scared of me killing myself flying that she's begging me to buy the Porsche instead!! Maybe if I tell her I'm thinking of going to Iraq as a volunteer she'll beg me to buy a Porsche and learn to fly!!
06 September 2005, 03:54 PM
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The T67 is £60 an hour, the Robin £80 an hour (though these are both just about to increase by £5/hr cos of escalating fuel costs). These are RAF rates funnily enough and quite hard to beat but you might find a 152 around for similar money. I fly out of RAF Wyton, 10nm NW of Cambridge.
Who is your boss Mark? My examiner flies out of Cambridge, a 747-400 Capt called Arwyn.
Fully aero planes might be more common than you think, I've got a friend who has a 152 aerobat at Turweston that cost less than 30k, although running your own aircraft is quite serious money compared to using club aircraft. The disadvantage is, as someone has already pointed out, availability, though I tend to fly mid week when its less of an issue.
Best thing to do Deep like someone already mentioned is a trial lesson, followed by about 10 hours to get you to the point of going solo. You'll know if you want to do it or not then and if so, you will need the air law exam and a medical. Costs can be lowered by taking the new N-PPL as opposed to the JAR-PPL but restricts you to flying in this country only.
Who is your boss Mark? My examiner flies out of Cambridge, a 747-400 Capt called Arwyn.
Fully aero planes might be more common than you think, I've got a friend who has a 152 aerobat at Turweston that cost less than 30k, although running your own aircraft is quite serious money compared to using club aircraft. The disadvantage is, as someone has already pointed out, availability, though I tend to fly mid week when its less of an issue.
Best thing to do Deep like someone already mentioned is a trial lesson, followed by about 10 hours to get you to the point of going solo. You'll know if you want to do it or not then and if so, you will need the air law exam and a medical. Costs can be lowered by taking the new N-PPL as opposed to the JAR-PPL but restricts you to flying in this country only.
06 September 2005, 04:37 PM
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It's registered with an American company. Caused no end of problems when we flew to France in it at the time of the Iraq war. Luckily it's a French plane!!!
