This week I want to discuss the benefits of flying private. Most people think that chartering an airplane or buying a membership into a managed airplane is out of reach and exclusively for the rich and famous.

Now I will be the first to admit that the cost is significantly more than grabbing a ticket on a discount carrier, however there is a lot to be said for the quality of travel and the experience.

For around $2000 per hour and traveling at speeds well in excess of 200mph you can get into a six or eight seat cabin class business aircraft. When you look at a 500 mile trim at 220mph with 4 travelers you are spending about what you would spend on first class tickets.

This also gets you picked up at just about any local airport, skips the crowds, skips the TSA invading your privacy, and just about guarantees you get to your destination when you want to get there.

There is a lot to be said for not being at the mercy of the airline flight schedulers, flight crews, maintenance crew, airport luggage handlers, TSA screeners, and everything involved with getting to and from the airport.

For more information on booking a chartered flight please contact is today. www.hangar9online.com

Nick Sanderson is a commercially rated pilot holding both multi engine and IFR ratings. He is also a FAASTeam member and volunteers with pilots n paws and the Civil Air Patrol.

In 2022 with business partner Colin West, David and Pamela Keim founded Hangar9. For more on the FAA FAASTeam visit www.faasafety.gov