About Aircraft Rentals

Aircraft can be rented from numerous airports at the general aviation terminal or from private flight clubs. Flying is much safer and expeditious for distances of 300 nm or more. The general aviation terminal usually has several aircraft in different categories depending on the need for payload and speed. This of course all depends on your qualifications and licensing as well as the number of hours and the type of aircraft.

Significance

Each rental facility will have its own prerequisites in regard to total hours flown, licensing in respect to ratings, hours in type flown and recent hours flown. The facility will also require the pilot's log book and documentation to show the dates that the last three take-offs and landings were accomplished in type. The last prerequisite is that the renter has renter's insurance with little or no deductible.

Standards

Standards are in place for the safety of the individual as well as the aircraft and personnel carried. Without sufficient control, pilots would invariably rent aircraft that they have not the proficiency to handle in a safe and efficient manor. Essentially, it is in place for the aviation community to lessen the odds of accidents due to incompetence in complex aircraft operations.

Categories and Prerequisites

The ratings start with a private pilot's license and 60 hours or more solo hours plus 20 in the type of aircraft you wish to rent. The next rating is the complex endorsement rating on a license to include an aircraft with a constant speed prop or variable pitch prop and with or without retractable landing gear. The hours usually exceed 100 solo hours and 20 in the type of aircraft you wish to rent. The next rating is the center line thrust endorsement for a twin engine aircraft with an engine in the front and a counter rotating engine in the rear such as found in a Super Skymaster. From the center line the next step is a multi-engine, such as a Piper Aztec or Beechcraft Baron 58. In all cases, to fly in other than daylight VFR conditions (at night or in bad weather), an "instrument rating" and a number of night flying hours are needed. A current class two-flight physical may be needed as well.

Types

Most of the rental services offer only two or three types of aircraft for the customers needs. The first type of aircraft rental is the smaller single engine aircraft similar to Cessna 150 or Tomahawks to Piper 140s to the 180s. These aircraft are good for pleasure flying short distances and building hours due to their lower cost. Usually they have limited instrumentation as for instrument flight. The performance that can be expected from these aircraft are minimal. A Cessna 150 or Piper 140 usually has a useful load of 5 to 700 lbs. and a climb of 6 to 800 feet per minute with an endurance of two and a half hours with 45 minutes reserve at 90 to 115 knots.

The next type aircraft rental usually available is a Cessna 172 or similar. These aircraft have a higher cruise speed of 115 knots and much better useful load and endurance of three and a half hours. They have a fixed gear but are a reliable work horse and a good choice for economy and comfort for flights of less than 1000 nm.

The best choice for a distance flight is the twin engine Beechcraft Baron 58 in today's rental market. This aircraft has a 931 lb. useful load with a takeoff run of only 1400 feet. It has a 1700 feet per minute climb and endurance of 1340 nm with 45-minute reserve and a 200 knot cruise.

These aircraft have been the mainstay for many years but of course it is always necessary to call and see what is available.

Considerations

Whichever aircraft is chosen, the proper experience level must be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the renter as well as the insurance agency. The insurance agency also has its prerequisites for proficiency for obvious reasons. Another item of consideration is the type--should you be qualified in the type you are renting to accomplish the mission in the proscribed manner with the lowest cost. Check all the log books for maintenance entries and finished repairs. Make sure that all instruments are in working order and what is available to plan the appropriate flight plan. Always do an excellent preflight on an unfamiliar aircraft. Good flying is safe flying.