Ownership costs

[Khaosai]

Hi,
can anyone shed some light on aicraft ownership costs. Not any specific type, but geared around single engined, preferably tailwheel. If possible a complete breakdown of what is required annually, thanks. Rgds.

[Flyin'Dutch']

Depends where you are based and what aircraft it is.

Be more specific so that we can give some meaningful advice or alternatively have a look at:

The AOPA US site (www.aopa.org)

They have a calculator to work it all out for you.

FD

[Khaosai]

hi dutch,
ok more specific, how about a cessna 120/140. I am currently in dubai but would maybe keep a/c in Scotland but not entirely sure on that one. Thanks for the reply. Rgds

[Flyin'Dutch']

A generous estimate (excluding major remedial work) would be:

£3600 per annum and £45 per hour assuming that hangarage is cheapish and you do about 100 hours per year.

HTH

FD

[Dan Dare]

Breakdown for a small single seater near London:

Hangarage £3000 p.a.
Insurance £800 p.a.
Sundry admin and licence fees £200 p.a.

Annual costs about £4000 before flying the thing!

Fuel £8 p.h
VW Engine £1500 for about 1500 hours' useage ie £1 p.h.
Oil/Plugs and general maintenance £2 per hour

One owner flying 50 hours per year = £91 per hour
1/10th ownership flying 100 hours per year = £15 per hour

A realistic figure would be somewhere between these two.

[shortstripper]

OK how's this for real cheap flying ...

My VP2 cost £2500 ... err it did only fly for one season and the new fuselage I'm building will have cost near £1000 by the time it's finished. But if you ignor aircraft cost ... ie think of it as an investment as you can usually get back what you payed for a second hand one, then ...

Airstrip here on the farm I manage .... £25/mth

Hangar ... building myself from a farm shed we knocked down so £0 (just my time)

Fuel ... 4 galls/hour = £14.50 (bloody inflation:( )

Insurance ..... what's that? ... I was quoted £800 which I might do when I get the new one up and running, but flying from your own farm strip it's not really needed.

Oil + engine fund = £5/hour

Permit renewal + inspection = £250/annum approx

So if you look at 50 hrs/year it comes out at £30/hr. As I share the aeroplane with a friend it's actually nearer £25 ... not too bad for lots of fun at your doorstep!

SS

[QDMQDMQDM]

Super Cub 150

Hangarage £900 per year
Insurance £1480 per year
Maintenance about £1000 per year?

Fuel and oil about £30 per hour for 100 hours: £3000
Odds and sods another £1000?

£7500 or £75 per hour, no depreciation, no cost of capital, no engine fund. Expensive hobby.

As I always tell my wife, though, the more flying you do, the more money you save!

QDM

[UV]

This question has been asked many times and I can only repeat the formula that works for most light aircraft and it is simply:

4 X Cost of the fuel per hour!

UV

[englishal]

Fixed costs of a PA28 variant, fixed landing gear, outside tie down at somewhere like Bournemouth, and on public transport CoA, used as a syndicate a/c.....about £6500 per year, before you fly.

EA

[Sir George Cayley]

There are two types of C120/C140 available in the UK.

Those imported and placed on the PFA Permit to Fly scheme and those that missed the deadline and are on Private Category C's of A from the CAA

If I were buying one I'd go for the the former if running costs are a major factor.

I'd also make sure it had a working heater that far North!

Sir George Cayley

[Khaosai]

Thanks for the replies. Interesting stuff and potentially very expensive. Might look at trying to persuade a group to let me in. Bit limited in the north i would imagine. Rgds.

[Khaosai]

Hi navigator, think i saw your ad last time i was in the club. It's a nice aicraft but i would prefer to try my hand with a taildragger. Will certainly keep it in mind tho. Thanks for the reply, see you around in ABZ sometime. Rgds.