“I would suggest that a reduction in annual maintenance from £4000 to £500 will be due to rather more than a change from a CofA type to a PFA type!!!!”
The AA5B (1978 vintage, my old aircraft) and the MCR (new) are worth about the same money. On another thread the cost of engine monitoring was discussed. Mine cost £395 inc vat installed, the C of A alternative is £1500 ish. Most the bits are much less expensive and you are paying no labour. As it is new it will also require less bits, but even a 1950’s Jodel would be vastly less expensive to maintain on a PFA permit than a C of A machine.
For a non IR pilot who spends a lot of time touring in France the permit restrictions are not an issue. If you have an IR and can afford a de iced twin then cost is probably not your primary concern!
If you want a micro, the figures are almost identical to the MCR, but watch the useful load. My Club version has 30kg better lifting capacity then the ULM version.
Rod1