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Grounded by Fuel Prices

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The author is profoundly impacted by rising fuel prices and economic uncertainty, making private aviation increasingly unaffordable and leading him to re-evaluate his aircraft choices.
  • He illustrates the stark financial challenge with a personal trip, where flying his turboprop cost significantly more in fuel ($3,185) than a commercial flight and rental car ($470).
  • Despite considering selling or downgrading and receiving a strong purchase offer, the author ultimately decides to keep his current, expensive turboprop, choosing passion for flying over financial practicality and accepting future sacrifices.
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The price of gas, the price of gas. The shaky stock market and the hammered housing industry. These are the circling vultures of today. Suddenly, after years and years of moving up, making more, having more, feeling wealthier, I’m sensing the roller coaster slipping out from under me. On the internet, my trolling activity for new airplanes has switched from light jets to piston twins. Jet-A has just gotten out of hand.

I’m not sure I ever noticed previous “recessions.” Most were minor and occurred while I was otherwise occupied. If they had any direct effect on me or my purchasing power, I was too excited by other developments in my life to take much notice. I’m noticing now.

FLYING Staff

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