Affordable aviation - light aircraft at the price of budget cars

There is an opinion that flights are available only to the elite, those who are richer. Airplanes, helicopters and other aircraft rely on ordinary people, except in the mode of tourist, maximum business trips.


But it only seems. There is a small aircraft, accessible without exaggeration to every working Russian. Of course, some of the most budget aircraft are suitable for flights very conditionally, but they are also capable of taking to the skies, even if only once.

Of course, every future pilot dreams of flying for a long time, and the number of “combat” sorties should at least equal the number of landings. Today we will try to figure out what means of small aircraft are really suitable for this, and what is better to bypass.


I would like to note right away that we will not consider helicopters in the framework of this article. They are significantly more expensive than single-engine aircraft and other aircraft. And the average helicopter burns much more fuel. The reason for this is simple - the dragonfly engine runs constantly at high speeds, and in an airplane it is subjected to such loads only during takeoff.

Old factory planes

This is the best option, but also the most expensive. It is supposed to purchase a factory aircraft of some ancient years of production. The leader of this category is the Cessna-150 from the 60s and 70s.

The plane is legendary, so the model is still in service, despite its age. In Russia, this aircraft is difficult to find; newer and more expensive Cessna-172s are on sale. In Germany, for example, such a model can be bought from 1,5 million rubles.


The factory aircraft has a lot of advantages. Most importantly, it is reliable to the point of disgrace, as it was designed by specialists and tested over decades of operation. The same Cessna-150 is controlled easily, no complex electronics are provided there.

No problem with details. Of course, you will have to order from abroad, but everything is there for popular models. Such an aircraft can easily reach speeds of more than 200 km / h, and its flight range is in the region of 400 km.

The model also lacks cons for a simple Russian. First, even an inexpensive single-engine aircraft will have to be registered, and the owner needs a pilot's license. To this are added tax, fuel costs, and for take-off you need at least some kind of airfield.

Factory aircraft, even budget ones, fully confirm the concept that flying is expensive.

Homemade certified models

If you want to save money, you can pick up an aircraft assembled by enthusiastic professionals. This is far from homemade - rather, a small-scale model. It was made according to all the canons of the genre, often even certified.


As for serial production, of course, a bit too much, but under the order such aircraft are assembled the same. They differ in improvements, as they are constantly being modernized. An example is the series "Chick".


Of the minuses, it should be noted problems with spare parts and the need to take off from the airfield. However, the same "Chick" has the ability to install on floats - then he only needs the surface of the water.

Sports gliders

A rare type of aircraft. Has no engine, needs a towing vehicle. Previously, gliders were launched by motor winches, but this design has long been recognized as unsafe. Therefore, operation usually takes place in flying clubs.


The L-13 Blahnik has long been recognized as the main glider of the USSR and Russia. This Czech-made aircraft was once popular.

A number of advantages of gliders:

✅ No fuel needed
✅ Flies silently - there are no engines
✅ There are double models - the same exemplary "Blanik"

Such devices are suitable for beginners, but subject to the availability of towing aircraft within walking distance.

DIY kits

On sale there are special prefabricated models. They can be different, ranging from frankly unsuccessful, to replicas of popular branded ones.

The main advantage of such aircraft is the opportunity to join the beautiful, or rather, build an aircraft on your own. On the one hand, this is good, on the other hand, it causes problems during operation if the assembler is inept or simply forgets to fasten something.


But there are a number of do-it-yourself kits in the budget segment, some can take off from unprepared sites or are amphibious. Of the minuses, it is worth noting the illegality of such a design.


According to statistics, 60% of buyers of prefabricated model aircraft abandon them without completing them. These parts then stand in sheds and garages, taking up space. Another 5-10 percent do not dare to make the first flight on their own assembled equipment.

Balloons

Despite the fact that balloons seem to be something terribly unreliable and outdated, in fact, they are safe if you follow the rules. It is possible that such flights will be enough for someone. Plus, a balloon can become a source of additional income, although, for legitimate work, you will have to draw up mountains of documentation.


These aircraft also have disadvantages - controllability leaves much to be desired, strong winds can carry them far and in an unpredictable direction. It will catch fire in the air - there is little chance of surviving, although this rarely happens according to statistics.

hang glider

Budget technology. It differs from a hang glider in the presence of an internal combustion engine. You can buy an average of 300 rubles, sometimes you come across devices that they want to sell urgently - then you can meet 000-100 thousand.


A good option for beginners. Spare parts are easy to find, everything is repaired in the field, refueled with motor gasoline. There are double options for those who want to fly with their wife or girlfriend. Of the minuses, fragility and dependence on the weather should be noted.

There is another modification with a non-rigid wing, called a paralet. It is easier to fly on this technique. But the speed is definitely lower.

About homemade

There are aircraft that, in principle, cannot be classified. They are all illegal, which does not prevent thousands of Russians from regularly conquering the sky with their help. There is only one thing in common with this technique - it is all home-made.

These aircraft are sold and bought no less regularly. The acquisition of finished equipment of this type is a lottery with an unpredictable outcome. It is impossible to predict how the miracle of the design thought of a particular individual will behave. According to the law of meanness, upon purchase it seems reliable and withstands a test flight.

It can break during takeoff - this means that you are lucky. In the worst case, the wings will fold in flight - then all that remains is to pray and remember where the parachute is.


With a limited budget, you should not look for homemade products cheaper. It is better to pay attention to non-powered aircraft such as gliders, hang gliders and paragliders.

Of course, you should not expect comfort from this technique, but it is budget. Non-motorized aircraft will help you understand whether you really want to fly into the sky, or is it a childhood unfulfilled dream that will crash into harsh reality.

It turns out that flights are available for everyone. The main thing is to go to the dream and not give in to difficulties.