I have a friend with a C185 and he says 30,000 a year for about 100 hours of flying. (total costs). Is that reasonable? Seems a lot to me. The other 'problem' is convincing 'she who must be obeyed', "havn't you had enough of flying?"...........etc. Then worse, is having to deal with the Dept of changing names.
By george,
Those figures are absolutely horrendous - $30K to maintain a C185 doing 100hours / year?
I am no engineer but am an aircraft owner. Our machine is experimental but even so, wow...I am never gonna by a C185 then....What sort of hourly (dry) costs would one be looking at then?
The 185 is more robust and easy to maintain than most 100 series, as long as they looked after. You will always have some big surprises if something has been neglected.
Aircraft that fly less than 100 hr/year often cost much more per hour than aircraft that fly more.
My 185 costs around $33K/750 hr (excl fuel) for maintenance and insurance.
That works out at $44/hour. Not too bad really.
That doesn't allow for engine/prop replacement($60K/1700hours) say $35/hour.
Total real cost including around $120/hr fuel(say $2.00/L)= $199/hr.
300hp machine, I'd say that wasn't too bad.