Luxurious flights are probably the ultimate dream. However, owning a private jet may be your worst nightmare, and here are 15 reasons why.

They say the sky is the limit. Well, when it comes to luxurious living and stylish travel, even the sky is the limit. On earth, wealthy people buy sports cars such as Ferrari, Aston Martin and Mercedes. On the water, the world's most expensive sailboats, exclusive yachts and cruise ships are built. Well, in the sky, buying a private jet completes the luxury puzzle.

Need a private jet?

However, the first question to ask yourself before purchasing a private jet is why. Why do you want to own a personal jet? At first it may seem like the optimal way to travel, but you have no idea what lies behind the luxurious curtain. Of course, this does not mean that the dream of an airplane should remain unfulfilled. But if you check out all 15 reasons in this article and still dream of owning your own plane, then go do it. However, if the worm of doubt creeps in already at the first points, then know that this is not for you. So, fasten your seatbelts and hang on as we guide your luxurious dreams through the turbulence of reality.

Equipment should not be idle

First, let's analyze your answer to the question why you want to buy a private jet. Apart from wanting the privilege of having luxury, is there really a need or need for it? The initial purpose of purchasing any vehicle is transportation itself, the ability to deliver from point A to point B. Therefore, if you do not have an urgent need to move between distant points of the planet in the shortest possible time, then, probably, the desire to own a business jet is far-fetched.

If you plan to use it on the occasion of the thirteenth full moon, then the aircraft risks sitting in a hangar for most of its life. However, this is not what it was built for. Jet must fly.

The simplest solution in this case is to rent out the plane when you are not using it. But can you trust those who will charter the jet? These people can damage the upholstery of a seat made of genuine leather, or spill a drink on a luxurious carpet and leave stains. Are you ready to deal with such consequences? Therefore, if you do not often have to travel long distances, then your own plane will not be a necessity. There are other ways to experience luxury without the problematic consequences. Keep reading and find out.

Even the rich and famous prefer to charter a plane

Yes, we all love to travel, and few people can refuse a stylish trip. Owning a private jet means you don't have to buy tickets, go through pre-flight security, stand in line to board or wait for a flight attendant to serve other passengers.

But look around. How many people own private jets? Compare them with the number of millionaires currently existing in the world. You see, even the rich and famous prefer to lease an airplane rather than own one. The highest-paid movie stars, politicians and Formula One drivers don't buy jets; Even taking into account the fact that their lifestyle and field of activity require constant movement, renting an aircraft remains the best option. And it’s not that they can’t afford such expenses - they can, they just understand that the purchase will cost them much more than the direct cost of the aircraft. We will discuss costs in the following paragraphs.

Who will you be traveling with?

Unlike Hollywood stars, you are unlikely to be surrounded by equally rich and famous friends, and long flights will seem even more boring and tiring without good company. Especially when your phone runs out of charge or an interesting book comes to an end. Situations like these can be frustrating when you're traveling alone on a private jet. You will have to while away the entire flight in your sleep. Do you think this is funny? It would be just as possible to sleep in an economy class seat on a regular flight. It would have been much cheaper.

Private jets, even the smallest ones, have more than one seat. So unless you're a celebrity who travels with your manager, bodyguard and personal assistant, you don't need an entire plane just for yourself. The best decision would be to purchase the best ticket on a regular commercial flight. There you will be well served and you will receive the maximum level of comfort. You won't have to worry about spending more money than you should have. If you want to take luxury to the next level, you can always charter a private jet and fly in pleasant company to any part of the world.

Traveling with friends will cost even more

Reading the previous paragraph, you probably thought that it would be great to fly with your friends on a private jet. Of course it's fun. And also - expensive. You don't want your friends to go hungry at 6,000 meters, right? And if there is a bottle of expensive wine on board, then you will have to share every sip.

In another scenario, you will also have to fork out money. Let's say you invite a few of your friends on board. Will you ask them to share the costs? If so, this is probably the last time they fly with you. But if not, then you end up letting them hitchhike: you provide them with transportation, they provide you with company and conversation. This will certainly cost even more.

Eventually, you will decide to fly solo, and we come back to the previous point about why you should think twice about buying a private jet.

If you don't believe me, ask Lewis Hamilton, a former F1 world champion who owns a private jet. But all other racers prefer to rent a business jet rather than ask to board Lewis. Why? Ponder at your leisure, and we move on to the next point.

Have you ever heard of the luxury tax?

Now let's get down to business. As mentioned earlier, purchasing a private jet will cost you more than what you will spend on the purchase itself. There are other costs that will fall on your shoulders. And the main cost item is the luxury tax, officially applied to citizens of some countries. So, if you are a citizen of France, the USA, Australia, Mexico or a number of other countries, congratulations: these states impose a high tax on their wealthy citizens on the possession of luxury goods. For other countries it is just a matter of time. The luxury tax rate varies from country to country and is typically 5-30% of the value of the luxury item itself.

To put things into perspective, imagine that if you buy a used 2014 Gulfstream G280 jet for $15 million, you'll have to pay an additional $1.5 million in 10 percent tax.

In addition, some countries, such as Italy, apply a luxury tax even to passengers on such liners. So, if you fly from New York to Rome on a private jet, you will have to pay an additional €200 in tax. The same amount will have to be paid for the return flight. When choosing a regular flight, passengers are spared such expenses.

Insurance is another expense

In addition to the tax that must be paid, another necessary expense item is insurance. By saving on insurance, you can end up without anything at all. Especially when it comes to luxury items like a private jet. Insuring an airplane is more important than taking out an insurance policy for any other vehicle. It may seem that flying has fewer risks than driving a sports car, since flight rules are much more stringent than traffic rules. However, no rules or requirements can insure against the risk of damage.

Like any vehicle, aircraft components and parts can break down and become unusable. Insurance will cover unexpected expenses for which you cannot be held responsible. In addition, like any vehicle, an aircraft can get into an accident. Aircraft accidents are riskier than other travel, not only in terms of passenger safety, but also in terms of physical damage. How much is insurance? On average, insurance companies charge about 0.3% of the value of the ship's hull. Thus, for a jet costing $10 million, annual insurance would be $30,000. A little expensive, right? For this money you can buy a good new car every year.

Maintenance costs are very high

Expensive equipment requires exclusive maintenance. And, unfortunately, exclusive service implies a high cost. But you have no other options. You need to keep your business jet in top shape. You don't want to risk your precious life by flying a faulty plane, do you?

Therefore, it is necessary to adhere to a strict maintenance schedule. And this is a matter not only of your personal safety, but also of the lives of other people. That is why deviation from the repair and maintenance schedule entails the possibility of losing your flight license. What good is a plane if it can't fly?

Even if you don't use your aircraft very often or at all, some parts still need to be replaced. Yes, this is required. Some of them need to be changed quarterly. In addition, maintenance based on an hourly flight schedule is required. This means that the costs are there for you as long as you have a private jet.

On average, private jet owners spend at least $100,000 a year just to cover maintenance costs. This does not include remanufactured parts or additional equipment. This is something that cannot be put aside. Otherwise, you risk your license, or worse, your life.

Who will work for you?

If you find it takes a lot of time and effort to find a driver, wait until you are faced with the challenge of finding the right pilot for your private jet. Hiring a pilot yourself requires an understanding of all in-flight and pre-flight needs. In particular, his experience, license, environment and mental state will have to be checked. And this is just the tip of the iceberg! Experienced pilots cost much more than beginners. This means that the cost of maintaining a private jet is increasing again.

How much you spend on a pilot and navigator depends on how often and over what distances you will fly. Captains of private jets earn about $200,000 a year, subject to scheduled flights and only within one country. If you are looking for a pilot who will fly the aircraft at any time and at any distance, you should allocate a budget of $300,000 per year. And if you prefer to have a flight crew on board to meet your every need, you'll have to budget an additional $50,000. That's where luxury meets service and safety. And as a result - additional costs for the opportunity to show off.

The need to obtain multiple permits and do various paperwork

If a private plane could be stopped by traffic inspectors, they would ask for a more significant package of documents than the license and documents for the vehicle. Order and safety of flights are extremely important. Every country takes great care in developing regulations, conducting policies and managing air traffic. That's why flying from one city to another is not as easy as covering the same distance by car.

You don't need a driver's license to own a private jet. But as soon as you get ready to fly, the paperwork begins. The captain and navigator are not the only people who need a license. As mentioned earlier, a business jet must also have a flight permit. This is a security certificate, but that's not all. First, you need the credentials of the airport where the ship will be based and repaired. If you plan to leave the country, you also need permission to do so. And insurance. In addition to this, aircraft registration is required.

Without this data, your dream of a comfortable flight can turn into a bureaucratic nightmare in a matter of minutes. Without them, you will face colossal fines, or even confiscation of the aircraft.

At what speed and at what altitude do pleasure flights take place?

Typically, pleasure flights take place at altitudes from 200 to 600 meters. But you can understand the plane at an altitude of up to 3000 m. The choice of altitude and speed depends on the purpose of the flight and the desires of the passengers. During sightseeing flights, we select the optimal altitude so that passengers can view the landscape and feel the peculiarities of flying on a small aircraft. In addition, the maximum flight altitude may depend on the requirements of the air traffic control services in whose area of ​​responsibility the flight takes place.
Cruising speed, at which most pleasure flights take place: 180-220 km/h. The maximum speed that our planes can reach is 300 km/h.

How safe are recreational flights?

Pleasure flights on modern aircraft that have undergone thorough technical control and have a Certificate of Airworthiness, which confirms the established level of safety in the Civil Aviation of the Russian Federation, are rightfully considered much safer than traveling by car.
On board the aircraft there is the necessary emergency rescue equipment that meets the requirements of Civil Aviation. Even in the event of an emergency, the passenger will be provided with the maximum level of safety.

Which flight to choose for the first time?

If you are flying on an airplane for the first time, it is better to choose a quiet pleasure flight along the route.
For those who feel the strength and courage to experience unusual new sensations, we offer a flight to the zone performing simple aerobatics. At the same time, you will be able to feel positive and negative overloads, and learn what elements future pilots practice during piloting classes.

What should you take with you on a flight?

Traveling by plane does not require any special uniform or equipment.
Comfortable clothing and shoes that do not restrict movement are ideal.
In order to capture the most interesting moments of your air travel, be sure to take a camera and video camera on your flight.

Where to store and maintain your own aircraft?

The aircraft can be stored at any airfield or landing site with an equipped parking area. Typically, such places are registered in accordance with the established procedure, and must have an airfield passport or a landing site passport. Aircraft maintenance personnel must have the appropriate certificate and authorization to maintain the aircraft.

What fuel do planes fly on?

The Yak-18T and Corvette aircraft have piston gasoline engines and fly on aviation or automobile gasoline with an octane rating of at least 92. In addition, there are aircraft with piston diesel engines, with turboprop and jet engines. They run on aviation kerosene.

Is it possible to fly the plane yourself on the first flight?

Yes, on the very first flight, at your request, after a short theoretical briefing, you will be able to control the aircraft in horizontal flight mode under the control of an instructor pilot.

How do domestic aircraft differ from imported ones?

Domestic aircraft have a number of advantages over imported ones, both economic and operational. For example:

• domestic fuel is cheaper than foreign fuel;
• for Russian aircraft it is easier to obtain interchangeable spare parts and equipment;
• With the repair and maintenance of foreign equipment, many problems arise due to the lack of parts and materials, as well as repair specialists, etc.

At what minimum height from the ground can an airplane fly?

The minimum flight altitude in flight zones for practicing piloting techniques according to the instructions of the BELOOMUT landing site can be at least 50 meters. Most flights are not lower than the calculated safe altitude, which depends on the terrain, artificial obstacles on the ground and other factors.

Is it possible to take photographs during the flight?

Photo and video shooting is permitted during the flight. Be sure to take a camera or video camera with you, or better yet, both. The pilot will show you the most beautiful places to shoot.

Are there any health restrictions for flying?

There are no restrictions for flying as a passenger, but for training flights and obtaining a pilot's license, there are restrictions and health requirements described in the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) MOGA-2002. You can find them in our library.

When can you fly on an airplane without an instructor?

According to the practical training program, after 15 flight hours you will be able to perform your first solo flight if you have a valid medical certificate (VLEK).

What are the benefits of owning your own plane?

As the owner of an aircraft, you can, first of all, navigate it yourself. And of course, enjoy flying at any time convenient for you. Having your own aircraft, you can fly to any airfield and land on any landing site, or even on a piece of land or water, if the aircraft’s capabilities allow it and you have the appropriate clearance. You can pilot your own aircraft only if you have a pilot's license. On the basis of the Aist flying club there is a pilot school, the graduates of which receive a civil aviation pilot certificate.

Which airports can accept a private jet?

A private jet can land at any airport, airfield and landing site. To land at any airfield, you must submit a Flight Plan an hour before departure and have the latest aeronautical and meteorological information on the upcoming flight.

Where can you fly in the Moscow region?

There are a lot of interesting and beautiful places in the Moscow region for sightseeing tours by plane. The choice of route depends, first of all, on your desires, the weather and time of year. The pilot can offer you the optimal route based on the flight duration you choose (15, 25, 30, 60 or more minutes). If you have already decided where you would like to fly, you can plan the route yourself.
If you want to take a flight with a stopover, that is also possible. Discuss the flight route with the pilot in advance, since landing at another airfield requires coordination with air traffic control services and obtaining permission.

What overloads does a person experience during a flight?

During the flight, if desired, overloads from +3 to -1.5 can be demonstrated, which are safe for an unprepared human body. With positive g-forces, you will feel an increase in body weight and “pressing into the seat.” With an overload of +3, it will seem to you that your weight has tripled. With negative g-forces, you will feel the so-called state of “weightlessness” that astronauts experience while in orbit.

Is it possible to land a plane outside an airfield?

Landing off the runway is usually carried out in the event of an emergency. For example, if an engine fails, it is possible to safely land the aircraft off the airfield. But in a normal situation, a planned site or a prepared airfield is required for land aircraft; for hydroplanes, any area of ​​the water surface of appropriate dimensions is suitable in accordance with the Flight Operations Manual (FOM) of the aircraft.

How does flying on a Yak-18T differ from flying on a large passenger plane?

On a light sports aircraft you can fully experience the feeling of flight, which is not possible when traveling on passenger aircraft. Our flights take place at low altitudes, which makes it possible to see all the details of the landscape. The front seat offers excellent visibility. In addition, you will be able to see how the pilot controls the plane, how takeoff and landing take place, hear the dispatcher’s commands in the headset, be able to negotiate during the flight, and even control the plane yourself. The light aircraft is very maneuverable, which provides additional opportunities for viewing and performing aerobatic maneuvers. You will be able to feel various overloads, including weightlessness.

How many days before the expected flight date can I buy a gift certificate?

You can purchase a certificate at any time, but no less than 24 hours before the expected flight date. Please confirm the date and time of your flight with us by phone or email.

How to pass the qualifying exam to obtain a pilot's license?

The exam consists of two parts: practical and theoretical.
The practical exam is taken at the flying club by an instructor pilot. During it, the piloting skills acquired during training are tested.
The theoretical exam is taken in writing at the Aviation Training Center (ATC) in Moscow.

What does it cost to maintain a personal plane for short flights, where to learn the art of piloting, and how to choose one single iron dragon from the many? A passionate aviation enthusiast answered these questions for a Private Correspondent.

“There is no way for me by sea, but the sky is open to me. Who can stop me on the air route? Birds cut the air with their wings and fly wherever they want. Is a man worse than a bird? - thought Daedalus and made himself wings.

Is heaven a passion or a vital necessity? Wind tunnels, parachutes, hang gliders and paragliders are created in order to somehow satisfy a person’s desire to get off the ground and soar. But there are those for whom this is not enough. They buy themselves a plane and take off into the sky.

Cetus Evolution // cetus.aero

What does it cost to maintain a personal plane for short flights, where to learn the art of piloting, and how to choose one single iron dragon from the many? A passionate aviation enthusiast and regular at ultralight aviation rallies, known online under the nickname AFC-Kordhard, answered these questions to a “Private Correspondent.”

- Tell us about the most popular aircraft for personal use
- To fly to the country or just unwind, an “ultralight” is enough - a small two-four-seater plane. If we talk about the price of the issue, it starts somewhere from $30 thousand.

In the glorious city of Vladimir, a group of enthusiasts organized an aviation club and established the production of light Piper aircraft on its basis. This is a variation on the theme of the airplane of the thirties, which is still being actively built all over the world. This is the cheapest aircraft on the Russian market today. Vladimir residents install a Subaru car engine on it. The plane is light, it is very difficult to hold in crosswinds, and in general it can hardly be called perfect, but it is able to give pilots something that they will not get anywhere else - without modern navigation, complex systems and technologies, with Piper everyone can touch the sky .

Each personal aircraft is made to order, according to the requirements and wishes of the future owner. The price depends on this. If you don’t want to buy a ready-made unit, then you can buy Piper’s drawings for mere pennies (relative to the overall cost of the design) and assemble it at home. This requires skills in working with metal, free time and a garage.

The components are quite easy to find. The best aircraft engines within 120 hp. are Austrian "Rotax". But they cost tens of thousands of euros! For those who cannot afford this, a more “budget” option has been invented with Subaru engines, which cost only 3,500 euros with gearbox. And the maximum power is 130 hp. - this is very cool for an “ultralight”! Most fly with motors ranging from 65 to 100 hp. Among automobile engines, the engine from a Volkswagen Beetle is sometimes also used. Special equipment can be purchased in stores or on forums. The frame is made of steel pipes, the covering is linen.

Airplane "Piper", assembled by Vladimir enthusiasts // IB, reaa.ru

- Are there any inconveniences?
- A self-made gearbox is designed for relatively short work; the aircraft requires re-upholstery at least once every 5 years, because snow and rain are destructive to the airframe.

- Where should aircraft be stored?
- Depends on the plane, of course. If it is all-metal, then you can hide it under a cover in the parking lot. If the plane has a fabric covering, then be kind enough to drive it into the hangar. Well, if you don’t want to pay for a stay, the plane is disassembled, at least the wings are removed, then you can go to the garage, because its length is only 5-6 meters, and its width without tail is a few centimeters.

- Besides Piper, what else flies beyond the Moscow Ring Road?
- Next in price - SkyRanger. In my opinion, this is the most aerodynamically calculated and simple aircraft. Supplied as a kit for assembly - model kit. Two grown men without vodka are quite capable of putting it together in 2 weeks. On the issue of storage: the wings can be removed in 20 minutes. The aircraft is serviced all over the world, as there are all kinds of certificates and compliance documents.

Airplane "Skyranger" // aeros.com.ua

The kit includes aluminum and steel pipes of the aircraft airframe, connecting elements and components, control system and power structure cables, brakes, steering wheel, wheels, and casing. In general, everything except the engine, propeller and navigation. They will have to be ordered additionally. As a result, depending on the configuration, such a bird will cost $60-65 thousand. An excellent car for beginners!

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There is a representative office in Moscow SkyRanger, where they will help you figure out what's what. You can, however, immediately buy the assembled and flown version, if you so desire. But this kit is the easiest to assemble.

Cessna is perhaps the most famous company. The Cessna 172 is the most popular aircraft in the history of aviation, simply a classic flying car. A national brand, so to speak. You can get it for $35 thousand, albeit from the 1970s. The price of a new one depends on the configuration and can reach up to $200 thousand.

- Somewhere they teach how to assemble airplanes?
- They don’t teach it anywhere specifically. You can learn by helping more experienced enthusiasts. There are simple airplanes to assemble, and there are very complex ones that require the skills of a welder, carpenter, electrician and many other specialties. So only patience and engineering education will help.

- How much more profitable is it to assemble the plane yourself?
- The cost of a kit (slang name for a model kit) is approximately 25-35% cheaper than the cost of a finished aircraft. This ratio is relevant for most aircraft. The problem is that the most expensive part of the plane is the engine, and there is no way to assemble it yourself.

- How far do such planes fly?
- Depending on the model and flight mode - from 300 to 1500 km.

- How much does it cost for fuel? What is the cost?
- Fuel consumption for Rotax engines is approximately 20 l/h, for Lycoming - 30-35 l/h. The cost depends on how fast your plane is. With the same engine, there can be a big difference in fuel consumption per kilometer. For example, “SkyRanger” at a speed of 120 km/h and “Cetus-200” at a speed of 210 km/h on the same engine and with the same fuel consumption will cover different distances.

Typically, gasoline costs for such aircraft are slightly lower than for a car. This is achieved due to the absence of traffic jams and a more rational route. “Rotax” and “Subaru” use 95-octane gasoline for automobiles, and “Lycoming” uses 100-octane aviation gasoline.

Cetus 200, Cetus 700, Cetus 800, Cetus 1000 // cetus.aero

— Do I need any kind of permission to fly? How to register an aircraft?
- There is such an emblem - the first partisan squadron. Many of our amateur pilots glue it to their planes.

The fact is that the first official flight in Russia took place on May 23, 1910, but the pilot decided to fly around the plane before the official launch on his own two days before, so the first flight turned out to be a partisan one. Now we celebrate Small Aviation Day on May 21.

So, partisans are those people who fly without registration and permission. They fly very low.

- What does this threaten? Can they catch you?
- Theoretically, yes. But the fact is that our current air code was actually written by a girl trainee, whose surprise knew no bounds when it was adopted from the first reading. She thought it was just an assignment for an intern. I met her in person.

As a result, we have the most crooked legislation on private small aviation in Europe. According to the law, flying is theoretically possible, but practically not. Because the approval system is made extremely inconvenient. In Europe or the US, you can fly wherever and however you want, except in places where you can't fly. But we need to obtain permission to fly along a route that has been previously announced and agreed upon with all authorities, and you cannot fly anywhere other than this route. The main task of the regulatory authorities is to treat the pilot in the same way as a pilot treats an airplane: if it takes off, land it at any cost.

Let's say a person wants to fly from one region to another through a third. At the same time, he will fly through 6 different control zones. In some of them you need to submit an application 24 hours in advance, and in others - 12 hours in advance. And at the same time, it is impossible to coordinate everything, because they work at different times and not 7 days a week. In addition, permission may or may not be given. Without explaning the reason. In some places it’s enough to make a phone call, but in others you need to show up in person. That is, first go by car to get permission, and then fly there.

Every aircraft is required by law to be equipped with a special bearing device so that you can be identified when you are in the air. You need to buy this device; it costs about $500. This is necessary so that you are followed. Besides, you can’t just start up and fly. The flight course must be recorded and the route must not be deviated. If you deviate, they will consider it an attempt at a terrorist act or escape from the country.

Of course, each aircraft must be registered and must have its own number. You can register a plane, but it will take a lot of time - there’s a lot of paperwork, especially if you assembled the plane in a garage. If I were someone who is ready to take this path, I would invest a couple of thousand dollars and be patient for six months. And then, if your plane with its tail number was photographed, say, in the wrong place, then a complaint may be filed against you. And who needs it? Very often, guys simply repaint planes in different colors and write a false number on the sticker on top.

Thus, most aviation enthusiasts do without state registration. They fly at altitudes of up to 300 meters and do not poke their noses into government or military airfields. As long as we are at an altitude of up to 300 meters and are not registered, we simply do not exist for the state.

Airplane "Mir-23" // Itar-Tass

- What if they do get caught?
- In general, there is a fine, but the plane can also be taken away. They usually check the presence of all devices - radio station, identification unit, GPRS and something else. Our guys prefer to use mobile phones and put a navigator on tape if needed. So issues are often resolved with bribes.

- How dangerous is it to pilot yourself?
- If all safety rules are followed, it is very safe. Everyone fights strictly out of their own stupidity, from excessive bravado and frivolity. Since flight speeds are relatively low, even during hard landings pilots most often remain safe and relatively unharmed.

Examples of accidents prove this rule. For example, one pilot was cleaning the belly of his flying boat on the coastal reeds, descending to a height of 1 m... He ran into a dry tree and died. Another crashed his flying boat into the water because he was too lazy to take extra altitude. This is the “mirror” effect known to all pilots. Another one, out of ignorance of the performance characteristics (tactical and technical data) of his aircraft, performed an aerobatics maneuver with a passenger, for which his aircraft was not designed. Result: forced landing, the plane was badly damaged, the pilot's face was cut by a broken glass, the passenger was not injured.

- How to evacuate during an emergency landing outside the airfield?
- In a good way, a pilot should always have his own means of transportation. The Ultralight fits well into a boat trailer. If you don’t have one, then it’s better to join a flying club. There will always be help there.

- Do you need a license to fly an airplane?
- Needed, of course. But, like registration, not everyone has it. I have a friend, grandfather Grigory, who made his own plane. I'm scared to stand next to this plane! Breathe and it will fall apart. And grandpa does this on him! Instead of sitting, there are belts, and the grandfather sits proudly with a parachute behind his back, pulling his hat tighter. I have a suspicion that he didn’t go broke on the license.

And so, as for “ultralights”, aircraft with an official (!) flight weight of up to 500 kg (in practice up to 1000 kg), they have the status of a car. To obtain a license to operate such a tool, you need to complete the appropriate course.

- Where can this be done?
- In a flying club where there are instructors licensed to teach.

- How long does the course last?
- Officially for “ultralights” - 42 hours plus a theoretical course. They practice taking off and landing in simple meteorological conditions, en route flight, using radio communications, and so on. Then there are taxiing rules, signals from signalmen, and rules for staying on airport territory. 42 hours is, roughly speaking, for monkeys. I can say that an intelligent person flies out on his own in 15 hours, and then the exam is just around the corner.

The permit will indicate the aircraft on which you studied and passed the exams. If you want to fly something else, then 10 hours of retraining - and you're welcome.

The exam is administered by the state commission at your home airfield. According to the requirements, you need to perform 2 landings on unfamiliar sites. There is no medical examination, except before the exam.

Airplane I-3 // cetus.aero

- Question price?
- The instructor's fee is on average 3,500 per hour, and you need to pay the same amount if you study on a club plane. Used cars are often cheaper. You also have to pay for the exam. I won’t say exactly how much now, but the price is rising.

- Where can you fly?
- Flying over large cities is, in any case, prohibited. There are a lot of private airfields where “ultralights” fly upon request. The authorities usually negotiate (not always officially, however) with the head of the zone in which the flights take place in order to avoid any troubles with various services. In Russia, I would not recommend flying over dachas. Especially during hunting season. We rarely see airplanes... Often the guys bring shotgun shells in the wings. In general, when flying, you need to know where the transport routes of aircraft are (exact location, altitudes, limiting corridors and types). The distance from Moscow, for example, should be at least 40-50 km. By the way, you can rent fields from local organizations: former collective farms, etc. Contribute and enjoy.

Not bad for flights and lakes. Seaplanes are very popular in Russia, especially among hunting enthusiasts. Popular ones are “Corvette” and “L-42”. “Corvette” is a small three-seater airplane with one or two engines. Not a very long range and carrying capacity, and therefore not very good as a company vessel. But if you have a dacha on the shore, this is it. "L-42" is a "four-seater, twin-engine boat." The Corvette costs about $150 thousand, the L-42 costs about $200-240 thousand.

- Is it possible to fly directly from Moscow to the dacha? Or did you only take off/land at a rented airfield?
- From the near Moscow region you can fly like a partisan to the distant region. But both at the start and at the finish there must be level areas of the required length.

- Where can you buy such a plane?
- If you are interested, come to the SLA or MAX exhibitions. There is someone there to talk to, and there will definitely be someone willing to sell you something.

Many companies that sell aircraft bring several copies to sell directly at such exhibitions. Sometimes there are good discounts for those who have time.

Interviewed by Katerina Rogacheva

Brand	Price	Advantages	Flaws	Link
Piper	Ready new about $35,000	the cheapest	Due to the tailwheel design, there is a danger of capping on uneven surfaces. Low resource of the power plant. Low speed. Short range. Requires greenhouse storage conditions. It is necessary to re-tighten the casing frequently. Very modest aerobatic capabilities.	j3cub.chat.ru
SkyRanger	About $65,000	Extremely easy to operate. Can be collected from a whale. Easily disassembles for storage in the garage. Great resource. Easy to use.	Low speed, rather weak flight characteristics, very limited aerobatic capabilities. Expensive motor.	aeros.com.ua
Cetus	From $100,000, there is a calculator on the website	High speed, long range. Good aerobatic properties - a number of models allow you not just to fly like a pancake, but to tumble properly in the air. All-metal - unpretentious in storage and maintenance.	High price and increased control complexity for some models. A number of models use American engines with a very high gluttony capacity for scarce aviation 100-octane gasoline.	cetus.aero
Cessna	Over $100,000. The price depends on the configuration and release date.	The ideal "flying car". The most popular light aircraft in the world. Huge resource, highest reliability, low maintenance, simplest management.	High price, limited flight capabilities.	cr-msk.ru

And again we tear off the veils of secrets. Although, what are the secrets here? Everything is transparent, honest, open. Today I will continue the series of educational programs with the topic of how pilots fly an airplane. Against the background of various so-called "Chaynikovsky" questions that I (and others) are asked, I would like to especially highlight the "problem of the left hand."

As you know, in the cockpit of a modern passenger airliner there are two steering wheels, if we are talking about a traditional aircraft, or two sidesticks, if we are talking about Airbus or UAC products.

In fact, the comment below is what prompted me to write this post:

“Denis, in airplanes with joysticks must the pilots be ambidextrous? Does it mean that the captain has to control with his left hand? Brrr.”

Remark - the side control sticks of an airplane in English are called sidesticks, but in everyday life, of course, they received the nickname “joystick”. If you don’t mind, I will also call it a joystick.

Here they are in the A320 cockpit, left and right (photo taken from the Internet)

But here he is in the Superjet. There is one like this on the left.

But I won’t just go ahead and answer this question. As usual, I will allow myself to rant and come from afar.

If you want to take a shortcut and don’t want to read elementary stuff about the principles of airplane control and the differences between Boeings and Airbuses, then you can simply scroll down to the last part.

Many passengers have the opinion that the Commander always pilots. This is incorrect, because. the probability that today you will be carried through air pockets by a co-pilot is very high, about 50%, and in no case should it be neglected.

We consider the above to be a clumsy attempt at a joke, but even there was some truth in it, namely, a 50% probability. Typically, pilots split their flights in half. Yes, there are PICs who prefer to carry out most flights themselves using the autopilot 100%, but there are also those who out of three flights give at least two to their co-pilots.

(I'm one of the latter)

Therefore, on average, that same 50% comes out. Both pilots should be able to do this, but only the commander has the main responsibility for everything that happens, and therefore he receives a salary more than the co-pilot (although in Western companies with their seniority system, options are possible).

So, in order for both pilots to have more or less equal opportunities to pilot the aircraft, they are given a steering wheel/joystick in their hands and pedals in their feet and a laryngophone on their neck.

The pedals perform the same functions here and there - pilot footrests, They also control the rudder, which is located on the fin of the aircraft. If you deflect the left pedal in flight (namely, move it forward, while the right pedal moves back by an equal value in magnitude), then the plane will begin to turn its nose to the left and at the same time roll to the left. This should be done extremely carefully, because... When controlling an airplane along the course using pedals, a slip occurs on the wing that is outer to the turn. During sudden movements, it can be large, which is fraught with loss of speed and even stalling, and the load on the keel can be completely excessive! Pilots use pedals in flight only to combat crosswinds during takeoffs and landings, as well as in some emergency situations.

When the aircraft moves on the ground by pressing the pedals (now we are talking about pressing the pedal in the same way as is done on cars where the pedals are attached to the floor), the pilot brakes the wheels. Pressing the left pedal will apply the brakes on the left main landing gear, and pressing the right pedal will apply the brakes on the right. Of course, you can press at the same time.

And at the end of the conversation about the pedals - on most aircraft they are also used to control the rotation of the wheels of the front landing gear. True, most often at a small angle - such that it will be sufficient to correct deviations during takeoff or braking on the runway, if the plane is moving at insufficient speed, at which the rudder is not yet effective.

Using the yoke or joystick, the pilot can raise or lower the nose of the plane (increase or decrease pitch, if you're being smart), create a roll left or right, or both at the same time. Simultaneously with the introduction of the aircraft into a roll, it itself, according to the laws of aerodynamics, begins to change course in the direction of the roll, and does this smoothly and comfortably for passengers.

(On small, low-speed aircraft with very unswept wings, to perform a coordinated turn - that is, when flying in a bank without sliding on any wing - you have to help yourself with the pedal, hence the word “pedal”, which the pilot uses to replace the word “pilot”).

There is a certain difference between the control methods of “traditional aircraft” and modern ones - Airbuses and superjets. In the latter, the pilot controls the plane through a sieve of computer laws, which puts the final point in determining exactly how much and how quickly the pilot wants to change the parameters of the plane’s movement in space. And according to special laws, he either obeys the timid desire of the pilot, or does not allow the especially daring to perform a roll or other aerobatic maneuver.

At the same time, by moving the joystick, the pilot sets the plane's roll and pitch with which he wants to fly, after which he can stop playing, and the plane will continue to fly at these angles, and the joystick itself will stick out neutral.

On traditional aircraft, the degree of computer influence on pilot decisions is not so pronounced, so if desired, a pilot of a B737 or even a huge 747 can try to perform a combat turn or at least a roll. True, this is a very, very stupid idea, even more idiotic than drifting in a KamAZ truck engaged in logging.

Maneuvering such aircraft is still an art that takes some time to master, because... The pilot has to maintain the desired parameters (roll, pitch) during the maneuver himself and corrective actions must be taken constantly. In a turbulent atmosphere, plus when the operating mode of the engines changes, the plane tends to show its “tongue” to the pilot, to dodge and move away from the desired parameters... and if the pilot does not nip this in the bud, then he will again have to gather the arrows in a heap.”

Experienced pilots develop a special feeling called the “airplane ass feeling,” which will allow them to synchronize the disturbed movement of the aircraft and their reaction to it almost in real time.

Of course, the 737 also has certain protections, for example, they will fight to the last, if the pilot suddenly wants to throw the plane into a tailspin - turn on the alarm, shake the steering wheel, lower the slats, deflect the stabilizer into a dive, increase the load to take over the steering wheel. , if the pilot is completely dumbfounded and continues to try to bring down the plane.

But this is far from the protection that the domestic Superjet provides. It's definitely designed for idiots in the cockpit, because... Only idiots would create a situation where one pedal is all the way to the left, say, and the joystick is all the way to the right. For a Superjet, such a wobble does not cause any worries; let me remind you, it decides for itself how and how much to deflect the control surfaces, and adds thrust to the engines if it gets really bad, and if I want to push myself like that on the B737, then I will have to try very hard to make the plane even would not decline.

Between the two polar “philosophies” there is another one - the modern Boeing concept, implemented on the B777 and B787. The pilot controls the plane with the helm, but exclusively through a computer, which helps the pilot through foolproof protection and smaller troubles, similar to the same solutions that are implemented on Airbuses.

But with all this, Boeing did not want to go all the way, that is, to introduce piloting according to the principle of “constantly maintaining a given roll and pitch,” so the pilot still has to control the parameters during maneuvering, although this will be easier to do than on the B737.

The future, of course, lies in the “fly-by-wire” concept, in which the controls are not mechanically connected to the control surfaces, all input signals are processed by a computer and the output is given the value that best suits the conditions of the task. This allows you to implement protection against anything and everything at a completely different level than was done on aircraft of previous generations.

In any case, the automatic assistant still complements the pilot, but does not replace him. Cuts corners, but doesn't break new ground.

So, let's sum up the intermediate result. Feet on the pedals hand on the joystick, hands at the helm.

It turns out that the Airbus pilot has one hand not used?

Of course this is not true! After all, he can hold a spoon with it, because the most important advantage of this plane is that it has a pull-out table! Just imagine how romantic it is - you are flying, steering with one hand, and lazily stirring the cooling coffee with your left!

Ok, let this be my second lame joke, although, again, there is some truth to this attempt at humor. So, gentlemen, in the very first sentence of this part of the entry I wrote not entirely the truth, and it concerned... the steering wheel.

If I'm flying a plane manually, such as on approach, even my two-handed yoke will only have ONE hand on it. If I am the Co-Pilot and occupy the right seat, then this will be the right hand, and if I am the Captain in the left seat, then the hand LEFT.

With the remaining limb I will control the engine thrust using the levers that are located on the remote control between the pilots. There are two of them in my plane, and four in the B747 - according to the number of available engines.

As for the A320 pilot, I wasn’t very sarcastic about the spoon, because... theoretically this is quite possible (and probably someone has already tried it). The thing is that on my B737 we usually turn off the automatic control that regulates engine thrust to maintain a given speed if we fly manually. This is what the documents strongly recommend.

And on aircraft like A320, B777, Superjet, the autothrottle is usually always on, regardless of whether the autopilot controls the plane or a person controls it through clever computers. It controls the speed, and the computer, by deflecting the rudders, controls the effects of changes in thrust on the aircraft.

Moreover, the frogmen invented their own philosophy, which to this day is a fundamental difference from the philosophy of the rest of the world - when the thrust is controlled automatically, the engine control levers on the Airbus stand still, while on the 737, 777, 787, other aircraft, including the aforementioned Superjet, which in all other respects follows the French philosophy - they have feedback, that is, they move when the automation is operating, allowing the pilot an increased level of control. The pilot can always “add” or “hold back a little” if he considers it necessary for some reason (on the B737 this is often required).

But in any case, the Airbus pilot will keep his hand on the engine control levers on approach to perform one of two simple actions - either initiate a missed approach (pushing them forward), or before touching down, push them back, under the helpful prompt "RETARD, RETARD !", pronounced by the electronic assistant.

NOW LET'S GET TO THE ANSWER

That is, both an A320 pilot and a B737 pilot sitting in the left seat will control the aircraft with their LEFT hand.

So should he or shouldn’t he be ambidexterous (a person who can use both hands equally well)?

Answer: no need.

How not to be ambidextrous when driving a car on a daily basis. No, I understand, of course, that the left hand is made for a mobile phone, and with the right hand you can turn the steering wheel and move a poker (and even turn on the turn signals), but such Caesars belong in the circus, not on the road.

A person gets used to everything. It's only difficult at first. Then the motor skill comes and the person performs the necessary movements practically without involving any brain effort.

All co-pilots, without exception, when training as a commander, go through a period of “acclimation”, which does not consist only of training the left hand. Exactly the same problems arise with the right one - after all, a lot of actions have to be done in a mirror way! And the throttles are now on the right, and the autopilot control panel is there too. And, believe me, from this angle, when you’re not used to it, it looks completely different!

I went through this too, several times in my career, and it started in flight school. In a flight deck, you fly most of the flights in the left seat and only a small part in the right seat, then you fly on the left again... and when you come to the airline, they put you in the right seat.

In my company, for a long time, the captain induction program included only two training sessions. Now she occupies five sessions lasted four hours, and I am very pleased with this achievement - just a good time for the pilot to become more or less comfortable in the left seat and not try to reach his left ear with his right hand. So the pilot approaches linear training with certain skills.

In any case, even in the very first flights, the skills acquired while flying from a different seat are enough to control the plane by changing hands to the opposite ones. There is discomfort, increased work stress, but you are able to fly the plane. This discomfort disappears as you fly and gain skills, and then the moment comes when you think that it is more convenient to steer the plane with your left hand, and to control the engine with your right hand.

After I flew as a Captain for six months, they decided to give me permission to fly from the right seat (there is such a practice - to fly with two captains, but one plays the role of co-pilot). And then I again felt the inconvenience of transplanting and changing hands. Perhaps even more inconvenient than when changing to the left seat, and I don’t know how to justify this. But still, the existing skills were enough to confidently perform any necessary maneuvering, even if it caused discomfort.

This happened back in 2007, and over the years I have changed from one seat to another so often (both as a “co-pilot” and as an instructor) that today I feel absolutely no discomfort in piloting left/right.

But sometimes my hands get confused in a seemingly simple operation - to move the chair forward, because... the lever responsible for moving the chair is again located mirrored on both chairs.

Another veil, hopefully lifted.

If you are interested in my “educational educational program” series, then you can always open it using the tag of the same name.

And if you are interested in learning something new from this series that I have not written about yet, please give me an idea! If she understands about a separate article, then I’ll find time to write it!

Fly Safely!

“Training to become a private pilot who flies for himself and is not engaged in commercial activities is similar to an ordinary driving school,” says small aviation pilot Artem Nikitushkin.

To obtain a pilot's license, you need to enroll in an aviation training center (ATC) - there are enough of them in the Moscow region. The training consists of theory and practice: the theoretical part lasts about 160 hours plus a mandatory 42 hours of flight time.

At the same time, you cannot learn the theory yourself, and then come and take exams - you need to attend classes for about three months. As for practice, you will have to fly for 32 hours with an instructor and another 10 on your own, Artem clarifies.

“I haven’t met a person for whom 42 hours would be enough - I’ll probably have to take on additional flight hours,” he shares.

And there are nuances here - for example, it’s good if your flight practice occurred at the end of spring - beginning of summer, when the weather is good. But learning to fly in late autumn and winter is much more difficult: over the past three months there have been only a few good days for flying, the pilot notes.

If there are long breaks between flights, the skills will weaken and will have to be strengthened again. There can be many reasons for breaks - this is a financial issue, family matters, and vacations, adds the agency's interlocutor.

“I would count on at least six months: during this time I would have to spend about 500 thousand. But this is still faster than getting a full-fledged flight education at a specialized school or institute, as people planning to become professional pilots do,” notes Artem.

Medical examination

At the end of training at the ATC, before receiving admission to the exams, future pilots will have to pass a medical examination.

“There are several categories at flight medical boards: the third is for amateur pilots, the requirements for it are the most lenient, although stricter than in other countries - for example, in the USA. But it’s useless to try to cheat - everything is very strict,” warns Artem.

According to him, in order to fly your own plane, you need to have good vision, hearing, blood and urine tests, chest x-ray data, an ECG, and a positive conclusion from a therapist. But in general, if a person is not deaf and his glasses are not a centimeter thick, there should be no problems, the pilot shares.
The flight medical certificate is valid for two years, and once a year the pilot must undergo a simplified version of the medical examination.

Exams

Exams for obtaining a private pilot license are taken at departments of the Federal Air Transport Agency: they consist of a theoretical part and a practical flight with an examiner.
If successfully passed, the ATC student receives a license and the right to fly an aircraft. It must be renewed once a year. The license has subcategories: they indicate exactly what kind of aircraft an amateur pilot can fly - with one engine, two, etc., Artem clarifies.

A private pilot's license also allows you to take passengers on board - the main thing is that it is not for commercial transportation; there are separate requirements for them.

How to choose a plane

“After receiving a license, I would not recommend buying an airplane right away: this is a complex technique that you need to seriously understand,” says Artem Nikitushkin.

A single-engine air transport will be the cheapest, but it will also cost the same as an expensive car. You need to understand why you need an airplane - after all, light aviation has many options: two-, four- and six-seater.

“Soviet aircraft such as the Yak-18, Yak-52, An-2 are machines that are difficult to maintain today, spare parts are difficult to find for them, and they are expensive to maintain. However, these aircraft are difficult to buy - they are known and loved because they are reliable and ahead of their time. For example, on a Yak-52 for 3.5 million rubles, with the proper investment, you can perform simple and complex aerobatics,” says Nikitushkin.

According to him, the easiest way is to buy, for example, a used Cessna aircraft: such an aircraft from 1984, imported from the USA, will cost about 4 million rubles. There are good European and Australian aircraft.

In each specific case, it is necessary to carefully study the aircraft: there are two-seater aircraft that are so stuffed with electronics that their cost increases sharply, the pilot clarifies.

How to register an aircraft

A package of documents must be completed for the plane:

Registration (tail number),

Insurance (optional),

Permission for the radio station,

Documents for emergency beacon,

An airworthiness certificate (CAC) is an analogue of a vehicle's maintenance; it must be issued annually. An expert is invited, he completely checks the car and goes with you on a small test flight. Registration of the SLG costs about 200 thousand rubles - this is the largest expense item.

Power of attorney (if you are flying on someone else's plane)

How to maintain a private jet

Oil and filter changes and equipment inspections are required periodically. If the car rarely flies, these procedures must be carried out once a year. If you take to the air more often, that means you will have to call in a technician more often. Some aircraft require such maintenance every 50 hours of flight time. The cost is about 20 thousand rubles. There are enough aircraft maintenance specialists in the Moscow region.

Some aircraft can run on automobile fuel, while others require special aviation fuel. The cost of the first when refueling at the airport will be about 40 rubles per liter, the second - approximately 100 rubles per liter.

During a normal flight, a light aircraft consumes approximately 18 liters of fuel per hour, while performing aerobatic maneuvers - 60-100 liters, since the engine operates at high speeds, explains Artem.

Where to store the plane

The aircraft body can be metal or composite (plastic). In both cases, you can keep the car at the airport in a cover. Such storage will cost approximately 5 thousand rubles per month.

“If you have a modern aircraft with a composite body, given our climate, it is still advisable to keep it in a hangar, cold or heated. Such storage will cost 2-3 times more,” advises Artem.