As you can see from the proceeding pages G-GIRY is a well maintained, well equipped, young aircraft in excellent condition. The group is operated with informality as a rule and formality where necessary.

Hourly costs:

The hourly rate charge for the aircraft is a 'wet' rate (fuel and oil inclusive) and is based on tach time. Discussions with many groups saw this as the fairest mechanism to use. Unlike Hobbs meters which run linearly from electrics on to electrics off, the tachometer is connected to the engine and is calibrated to record time correctly at a standard cruise power setting. In this way a pilot who likes to cruise at a higher power setting, and who would burn more fuel etc will pay more, and a more conservative pilot would see the benefit of their careful flying. With this method time spent on the ground taxiing with the engine idling incurs very little cost. Engine fund and incidental maintenance are also contributed to from the hourly charge.

The charge per tach hour is currently £70

Ongoing costs:

The monthly charge covers parking at Elstree, a monthly Jeppessen database update for the GNS430, quarterly cleaning, £5,000,000 third party insurance cover, access to an internet booking system and all of the statutory inspections required for maintaining the Public Transport certification. All landing fees at Elstree are included in the parking charges. Any excess sums are fed back into the maintenance/engine funds.

The monthly cost per member is currently £140

The monthly and hourly costs have been set to reflect the true operating costs of G-GIRY and have worked well over the three years the group has been operating. The young age of the airframe means that additional expenditure on unscheduled maintenance has been minimal.

Share available:

The group currently consists of four friendly members, each holding an equal and resaleable share in the aircraft. AG Tigers in Europe have sold recently for around 105,000 euros (without the high avionics level of GIRY), and Tiger Aircraft in the US are manufacturing them for a cost $250,000. The engine fund is on budget and there is now nearly £9,000 cash in the bank account, or £2,250 per person which will be included with the aircraft.

The cost for the one quarter share currently available in G-GIRY is £15,750 including the engine fund - effectively £13,500 for 1/4 share in the aircraft.