Hi Billy

You are a rare breed in that a very, very small percentage of jet modelers world wide fly as much as you do. [X(] Engine manufactures have for years based warranty periods on 25 - 50 hours of engine time or 1 - 2 years. Most pilots never see those 25 - 50 hours in the first two years and that is what the manufacturers count on. And they have pretty well been right.
You are their worst nightmare!

In my experience in turbine retail ( 10 years/couple hundred customers ) and dealing with jet guys and gals very few fly more than 40 - 50 flights per year. Reasons include: problems with the airframe, mishaps, long trips to appropriate fields, the seasons ( too hot, too cold, too windy ), intimidated by their aircraft, fly jets only at major events etc etc.

The average flight lasts 12-14 minutes ( start up to shut down ) So lets say 4 1/4 flights per hour x 25 hours --- about 106 flights or 212 ( 50 hours ) over two years. At most events I have been to the magic number is 3 - 4 flights per day- then you have to charge the silly stuff ( well, most think - O.K. I have cheated death again - time for a beer ). So at that event they fly say 6-9 flights and many are proud of the achievement! Some won't fly again for a month...

Now lets say you do have the good fortune to fly every other weekend during flying season ( lets say 9 months of the year ) 3-4 flights per Sunday. That still works out to only 72 flights per year. Manufacturers are still happy

Now this is not scientific by any means. This has just been my general observation. You have seen me fly at events and I usually am there to fly. Guys think I fly alot but even I only log 150 - 180 flights per year. There are many that struggle to get in just 20 flights in two years.

Maybe times are changing and guys are flying more - but given what I have seen at events - the average guy is still happy to just get up and down in one piece ( you have seen their eyes when you start talking touch and goes ! )

Cheers

Dean Wichmann