Ownership costs
 

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.

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

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

FD

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.