As I was browsing the classifieds...

[California Tanker]

Looking for something like an affordable C-182, I found this.

http://www.trade-a-plane.com/specs/47455

Interestingly, they're going cheaper than a lot of less interesting airplanes, there's a 1999 182 at exactly the same price, though I don't think the maintenance costs would be quite as low as a Skylane. Only a couple of hours' drive for me...

NTM

[yooklid]

Fancy getting yourself an airframe? Or a fractional ownership. My friends father-in-law has his own Beech King Air.

[California Tanker]

His own King Air? He's doing a lot better than I am. I might split with my FIL, he's working his way to a license as well (albeit slowly). I'm pushing it to be considering a Skylane, but a 172 just doesn't have the ability to carry a useful load across the Sierras.

Wet rates in Silicon Valley are monumental. I don't care how much the 'true cost of ownership' of an airframe is, it can't be much worse than paying $180 an hour for a 182 plus additionals such as club membership fees or renters' insurance.

NTM

[yooklid]

His own King Air? He's doing a lot better than I am. I might split with my FIL, he's working his way to a license as well (albeit slowly). I'm pushing it to be considering a Skylane, but a 172 just doesn't have the ability to carry a useful load across the Sierras.

Wet rates in Silicon Valley are monumental. I don't care how much the 'true cost of ownership' of an airframe is, it can't be much worse than paying $180 an hour for a 182 plus additionals such as club membership fees or renters' insurance.

NTM

Yes his own King Air. And now he's looking at a Cessna Citation X

[GoneToTheCanner]

Hi Cal
Try an RV-6 or -7.There's 5000 or so of them out there and they'd have the performance you'd need.
regards
GttC