I am no defender of Mode S - which in the GA context seems to offer zero benefit to anybody over Mode C - but I am suprised that war is still being fought in the "conventional powered aircraft" arena, because an aircraft without Mode S is not very useful for flying outside the UK.
Barring unusual issues, the installation cost should be under £2k which in terms of a 10-member syndicate is frankly peanuts.
Just my view
The other advantage of a syndicate is you have the option of getting something different than a Cessna 150/172 or PA 28 which are pretty much the only choice to rent at most places.
Very much so.
Let's list some advantages of ownership (syndicate or outright):
The downside is the commitment, of course, but there is no free lunch in life.
Most renters chuck flying in pretty quickly. Renting has the highest marginal (hourly) cost and thus the greatest disincentive to currency. I know - I did it for a year.
My (capital) group has just 3 members. Only one is IFR rated. 95% of the multi day trips and 90% of the shorter trips we fly together so there has never been an issue over equipment levels despite a disparity in incomes.
There is no incentive to enlarge the group as the trade-off between reduction in fixed costs and the possible negative factors ( reduced availabilty, personality clashes etc ) doesn't make it very attractive.
Thanks for all the comments made - appreciated.
My interest remains in how to create a successful group. Essentially it seems to boil down to finding a good way to find the right/common interest people, and building maintaining trust between them.
It appears that the a/c choice & operating regime is almost a sideshow to this more onerous task
What say you?
I'd agree that it does come down to common interest (or, mission profile as Peter calls it), but also selecting members who fit the personality of the group. At times, there will need to be compromises made, and it helps if people can accept a common majority (even if they dont like something), or stage a healthy debate about an alternative. Otherwise things will descend into chaos. Of course, that applies to many things in life, and not just flying groups.
My aircraft group has four in it, and we have a fairly simple signed 'contract' which stipulates a shared view about safety, cost, equipment and that a 3 out of 4 majority wins.
Thanks Piperarcher, As my initiating post, could you list for me what you see as the top 6 things you think matter regarding setting up a good group ?
Six things
More than 2, no greater than 6.
And finally, like all partnerships, be it business, marriage, or friends, eventually it may all go very pear shaped- be prepared.
Sorry tried to edit, not sure how to do it
For regency, read recency.
And it should read, no greater than 6.
I'm learning!!!!!
Thanks Piperarcher, As my initiating post, could you list for me what you see as the top 6 things you think matter regarding setting up a good group ?
WIll do, but will give it some proper thought tomorrow. Right now I am planning a flight into Bristol Filton for tomorrow so I can get that one in my log book before it closes, and also somewhat poorly, attempt to re-enact the final ever flight of the beloved Concorde :-)