Does anybody know the cost of ownership of a small airplane?

Question

i was thinking that it would be nice to have my own small airplane someday. does anybody know the cost of ownership of a small aircraft like a cesna or a piper?

Answer 1

Airplane ownership =

1. - cost of the airplane

2. - maintenance

3. -storage fees

4 -fuel

5 -licensing

6 -all other expenses

Answer 2

You can pick up a reasonable aircraft, such as a good older Piper Cherokee 180 for somewhere between $30 & $45K



http://www.trade-a-plane.com/search?s-type=aircraft&make=piper&model=Cherokee+180&s-seq=2&s-lvl=2





It then depends on how much you use it. Most of the costs of owning an airplane are fixed, insurance, hangarage, annual inspections, registration etc. If you fly it for 100 hours per year, those hourly costs are about twice what they would be for 200 hours a year. The other difference will be in the cost of a 100 hour inspection about half way through the year.



Another cost to consider, particularly for more expensive aircraft is the loss of return on investment. In other words, how much you would earn if you put the purchase price in the bank.



Fuel cost will be around 10 gallons of 100LL per hour for most aircraft in this class.



I operate a Piper Arrow, essentially a retractable Cherokee 180, albeit with a 200 hp engine. It dates from 2008 so it is fairly new. I fly it for about 200 hours a year, between my self and my wife. Including the loss on about $400k of investment, I believe that it costs me about $200 an hour to operate, offset by tax relief on depreciation and the fact that my wife directly generates income from it. It is owned by our business.



I would think that, in the US you would be well covered at $125 an hour over 200 hours a year

Answer 3

Your basic Cessna is in the $100,000 and up price range. You can sometimes pick up a used plane for less but there aren't any bargains in that market. The entry level for plane ownership is actually the ultralight and light sport class of aircraft. Because these classes of aircraft aren't as heavily regulated by the FAA they are cheaper to make and they often cost a small fraction of what you would pay for FAA certified light aircraft. If you are interested in flying I would suggest that you rent aircraft rather than buy one, renting is very expensive but you aren't stuck making monthly payments, insurance payments and hanger fees.

Answer 4

Cost of ownership varies by many factors.

After you buy your airplane, which range from about $15k to $1.5 million, depending on type and age, www.barnstormers.com

one needs to store it while it is not flying which can be a tie-down outside on a ramp at a county airport for $50 to $200 per month or in a hangar for $150 to $3000 per month, depending on size.



Fuel sells for $4.50 to $7 per gallon.



Mechanics cost about $100 per hour and all planes need maintenance, inspections, wash and wax.

If you do a lot of the work yourself, under supervision of the rated mechanic, you can save a lot here. Older planes need parts, rare antique planes may need parts that aren't available, all parts must be approved for installation, making the cost of them high.

Answer 5

Best to be part owner look at yourlocal airport, someone would LOVE to split costs with a capable pilot, cause its easy 15-30k a year keeping them up, stored, of course it depends where you are, but look into sharing anyway.



My airport as multiple smaller planes, if you are a member, you can take em up whenever, ~1000 a month depending which, "timeshare" plan lets say, you choose........ Nice because liability forces maintenance ya know



I'm looking into getting my soaring license to avoid such costs and get the true thrill of flying. Currently operating a local clubs winch and man what a sight!

Answer 6

no, nobody has a ******* clue. this is yahoo answers, where genuine knowledge is frowned upon.



airplanes are expensive to run. if you budget $100 an hour (fuel, maintenance, overhauls, etc.) you won't be far off.

Answer 7

"If it floats, flies, or f-f-f-fornicates, you're better off just renting."