Originally Posted by
Clare Prop
I tell people that if they are considering buying rather than renting an aircraft for their own or business use they will need to do at least 250 hours per year to be better off than renting one.
One pair of gents who didn't believe me ended up working out that the aircraft they bought ended up, in real terms over five years, costing them around $8,000 an hour to fly. Each. Dry.
That figure is way too high for many scenarios. You need to factor in the hire cost for a comparable aircraft.
For my aircraft point the break even point is around 55-60 hours including hangar, insurance and other costs.
If you're taking about a 172 or perhaps an older LSA, 250 hours at retail hire rates represents possibly more than the capital cost of the aircraft.
It's all about percentages and the capital outlay. You can't use a blanket 250 hour rule.