Maintenance costs are very low - have a look at the PFA site - besides on these very simple aircraft you can do the maintenance yourself - again see the PFA site.
I think what everyone is conditioned to is the very expensive maintenance costs we are used to in GA aircraft. What do you pay for your car maintenance? Now these aircraft are even simpler than your average car, so are the engines. Really it is one of the best kept secrets in aviation. Whatever anyone says they – the ML instructors – are getting £60 to £70 per hour when they instruct on aircraft owned by the trainee!
Check on the BMAA website (
http://www.bmaa.org/). After all, do you know what driving instructors make, certainly not £12k pa! These guys want to make an average living too as self-employed people I don’t think £60k pa is excessive, just realistic.
We are just used to getting screwed. Now here’s another thing how about RW instructors? Do you think they work for £12k a year?