Yeah, the 177RG was probably significantly cheaper than BDM's new Toyota, but it was an unusually good deal. The other plane I'm looking at is closer to a moderately priced BMW.

Monthly hangar fees are about the same as my Direct TV monthly bill.

Annual inspection and certification fees are waaay cheaper than a trip to Disney World, and I don't plan on getting anything that I'll ever have to go through an engine overhaul with.

Getting in the plane in Memphis after work and being at the beach in Florida before the sun sets, however, is priceless.


P.S. but trying to economically justify buying a plane is a bit phoney. You buy a plane because you love to fly. Any other justification is disingenuous.

I've loved flying since I was a little kid and started taking flying lessons while I was in college on the money I made delivering pizzas. If somebody needs to justify the expense of flying, they should just save their money and stay home--it'll be one less person in my way when I'm ready to taxi to the active.