As you have stated that your mom is prepared for the high cost of this trip, and that a charter flight is the only way to go, then the more expensive and faster planes are likely your best options. I do not know how much those types of planes cost per hour, but the flight time would be cut in half and the interior would be much more comfortable.

You may want to try calling some of the "partial ownership" companies. One may be willing (after they hear your story) to sell 5 hours (I believe those companies do not charge for the return since they keep planes throughout the US) in a nice plane for what you're willing to pay.

I agree with modernbeat. Unless you plan on chartering a LearJet or another comfortable (and very expensive) jet, the flight is likely to be very uncomfortable for your grandmother. Flying for over 4hrs on a single-engine Cessna is not fun, nor easy.

[This message has been edited by yevlesh2 (edited Feb 25, 2004).]

I don't know enough about her condition to know about the comfort of a 4 hr flight vs. a 2.5 hour flight.

While cost isn't the only factor, if it is determined that it won't affect her health to be on a smaller plane then the $5-10k difference may not make sense to pay.

The main concern is the screaming and bothering other passengers and the possibility of becoming too disoriented with all of the excitement of an airport/commerical airline.

I know this is repetitive but I want to thank everyone again for your input on this situation. It will make things much easier to decide.

I haven't seen this in the thread before, so I wanted to mention it.

There is no way to appropriately express how much easier it is to travel by corporate jet rather than commercial. Generally, you can drive up to the plane, there's no security screening, seats are comfortable and you've got complete privacy. Further, you can pick virtually any community airport and the plane operates on *your* schedule.

If the cost issue works itself out, I have no doubt that a corporate/private plane will make a difficult trip much easier.

Best wishes in getting something arranged. Another thought for you when considering the size of the plane: In the smallest planes, you're right next to/behind the pilot and in the larger ones, it is likely to be a separate compartment. If your grandmother does have a fit during the flight, the pilot will be in a better position to operate the plane from that separate compartment than from directly in front of where she is sitting. Engine noise is loud in the little planes, but it's likely to still be upsetting in such close quarters.

Best of luck.

emphasis added...

Who cares what other people think? This is your grandmother and her money, and she and her accompanying child/spouse have every right to use commercial travel if they wish.

I count you as lucky to not have a relative afflicted with Alzheimers, JS, nor having to care about how our decisions affect the people around us. Here we have someone willing to spend significant amounts of money to balance their needs against our needs and your response is "who cares". It is an especially ****ing comment when it has been made clear that it is also in the interests of the grandmother who cannot travel commercially.

I'm sorry, JS, you may think you are being helpfull, in an insinuating sort of way, but you are barking up the wrong tree.

So you don't think it's a big deal for a stranger to spend $20,000 more than necessary just so you can have a quiet flight?

People who expect perfect fellow passengers when flying commercially are the ones who should be shelling out 20 big ones for a charter.

There is also a charitable organization that uses empty seats on corporate jets to fly patients around. Similar to Angel Flight, but using corporate aircraft.

JS, I understand your point but I don't think we aren't talking about a minor disturbance to other passengers.

I haven't witnessed it personally but my Mom said they are pretty big episodes. Add the disorientation aspect and that is what is driving this whole issue.

My Mom was pretty excited about all of the options. She is going to contact our local airport in Texas as well as the links provided to the Angel flight type organizations. My Uncle is going to try it from the local airports in WV. He has been a professor at the university for 10-15 years now so I recommended he ask them if they had a plane her could potentially charter.

The target date is now August because of residence requirements before she can move into a home in Texas. That gives us some lead time to plan.

Another thanks to all the posters.

Back on topic

The rates for a single engine private plane quoted are accurate for most of the country - just not here in the Northeast.

Also, many - perhaps most flights schools also have air taxi certificates and most instructor pilots are licensed to carry paying passengers - many are trying to get sufficient hours to get hired by the commuters -- or now trying to get by while laid off by the commuters.

On a practical basis, with the description of your grandmothers condition, I suggest the KingAir. I have taken cross-country trips in single-engine aircraft and enjoyed it but then again I once drove several hundred miles with three friends to see a couple of baseball games. The bottom line is that its not particularly comfortable for a cross-country trip. I have no expertise in Alzheimers but think the small cabin might aggravate the situation.

I terms of cabin comfort, I think the KingAir is comparable to a CitationJet, just a little slower.

All flight instructors have a commercial pilot's license but that isn't enough to do an on-demand charter such as is being discussed. The pilot, and operator, must also be qualified under part 135 as an air-taxi operator.

Finding a flight school that also offers air-taxi services is not difficult but only a small percentage of flight schools are part 135 certified.

Hi,
I had a similar situation almost happen to my father.We were planning on flying him from Canada to India. We were going to use
"Aerocare" based in Aurora Illinois...contact name is Joe C.(owner).
He was quite helpful and his rates were much better than most.