cam3r0ngt

hey yall,

I feel like a noob but i had some questions about what an FBO is? I know what it stands for, Fixed Base Operator.

So let's say that there is an FBO in my hometown (Des Moines) and one in Denver with the same brand/company. Would I be able to get a rental plane and drop it off in Denver and be done with it?

Sorry if this is in the wrong category as well.

Cameron

BoilerUP

Probably not.

cam3r0ngt

for a rental, is it usually charged by how long you have the plane (including parking time) or how much time it is in the air?

uboatdriver

I think we might be able to help you a little better if you can explain what you're trying to do and what your aviation background is.

cam3r0ngt

as of right now, I am just a beginner with 7 hours under my belt. Just curiously asking questions for when I get my PPL.

uboatdriver

Your FBO will rent the plane to you without the instructor the same way they are doing now. The only difference is that you won't be paying for the instructor. Certain situations may be different. Did that answer your question?

JohnBurke

Rental airplanes are not like rental cars. There are no national airplane rental companies.

If you live in Des Moines and rent there to fly to Denver, you'll pay the hourly rate for rental for your flying time to Denver. Once there, you'll be responsible for getting the airplane home.

If you stay for several days, you'll be charged a minimum number of flight hours per day, even if you don't fly during those days. The FBO or rental facility is unable to rent the aircraft to someone else while you have it, so there's a minimum daily rate, typically the equivalent of about three hours flying time.

Rentals are either "wet" or "dry," meaning fuel. A wet rate includes the cost of fuel, but a dry rate is the rental cost, and you buy the fuel.

In order to rent, you'll need to meet specific certification (license) and rating requirements established by the insurance company for the FBO. You'll need to be legally current, and you'll need a "check-out" by the FBO using one of their flight instructors to ensure you're safe to rent their equipment.

This requirement will apply to every place where you rent. If you are checked out in a Cessna 172 in Des Moines, but want to rent in Ann Arbor, you'll need to get a check-out there, too. The exact requirements vary with the facility where you're renting.

Rentals can be had at flight schools, FBO's, flying clubs, etc. There are a few FBO chains that may have rentals, but very few, and in most cases, you'll need a check-out where ever you rent. Picking up an aircraft and dropping it somewhere else is generally not an option, unless you are able to have another pilot available to fly it back. In that case, the you'll still have the cost each way plus the daily rate, fuel surcharge, insurance rider, tax, etc, and the other pilot will need to be listed on the rental agreement and checked out by the FBO that rented the aircraft.

kme9418

Then there's the issue of "rental" insurance. What if something happens to the airplane you are renting that is determined to be your fault? You are responsible. Last time I checked into it, the cost was like $500/yr. I'd like to know what some of the "experienced renters" recommend for that.

mike734

Not exactly true. Not anymore. This company https://www.openairplane.com
Is trying to change that. I don't think drop off in a different part of the country is feasible but the checkout process is better.

I don't know if it's working but it looks promising.

SeamusTheHound

I've been interested in signing up for OpenAirplane. Anybody that's used them have any feedback?