There was recently a car commercial on air, in which a couple contemplates their vacation plans only to conclude that the drive in their car is better than the destination. They are obviously not living in Southern California where the traffic often renders the drive a nightmare.

Fortunately, we have airplanes that can bypass the hassles of the road and whisk us to our destination. Chartering an airplane offers the added benefit of saving the time and hassle associated with commercial airline travel and allows you to make the most out of your destination.

A same day trip with a charter aircraft is going to be the most cost-effective option, eliminating empty leg, overnight or minimum charges associated with multi-day trips. With the time saved on travel, one can get the full benefit of a vacation in a single day without having to pack a bag or deal with a hotel.

Where to go?

A good charter day trip destination should have some great attractions, a convenient airport, and should be close enough to maximize your time on the ground. Charter flying is regulated to ensure safety, and crew day rules are something to consider when planning your trip.

The daily limit for a charter flight crew is 14 hours, including their preflight preparation time. With this in mind, you should plan to spend 8 to 10 hours on the ground. If you need a longer stay, FAA regulations include a provision for the crew to renew their rest period.  Crew members will need to have ten hours of uninterrupted rest, which will require you to pay for a hotel room for the crew while you are out having fun.

In San Diego, we are fortunate to have a large variety of day trip opportunities within an hour and a half flight range. These can range from a simple family hike in the mountains to a rock star bachelor party in Vegas, depending on your lifestyle and budget.

Selecting the right aircraft for your flight

I will provide a few examples of trips that I have seen.

One attractive Schubach Aviation day trip destination is Big Bear. During ski season, you can be the first on the mountain after a good snow, ski all morning, and get back home before most people can even make it there driving. In summertime, beat the heat by going up to the mountain and enjoy a cruise around Big Bear Lake, take a hike or go mountain biking.

Arizona provides some excellent day trip venues as well. Both Sedona and the Grand Canyon combine ample attractions with a convenient airport that is very accessible to a King Air or Light Jet. In Sedona, I would suggest renting a car at the airport and scooting off to the areas that interest you most. At the Grand Canyon, there are excellent van services that provide tours and will shuttle you around the park.

From these examples, you can see that day trip opportunities are endless from this area when you are matched up with an appropriate airplane. The Bay Area, Wine Country, Tahoe, Monterrey, Mammoth, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Tucson are all within striking distance by air.

It is hard to find time to take off a few days in our busy schedules. With a charter day trip, you are able to squeeze a complete getaway into a single day without the stress of driving and the added benefit of sleeping in your own bed.