Operating Costs

[norriscathy]

I did search everything I could I could find; that is were I saw the $445 per hour number. I wanted some more current "real life" numbers like the previous poster provided.

[tropical]

Originally Posted by norriscathy

I did search everything I could I could find; that is were I saw the $445 per hour number. I wanted some more current "real life" numbers like the previous poster provided.

A general rule of thumb is to take the fuel flow per hour X cost of fuel per gallon X 4.

So if your burn is 20gph and the cost of fuel is $4.00/gallon you're looking at $320 per hour. For an average C-337 I would say that's a close number.

Of course there are variables, such as condition of the plane and quality of the maintenance.

The cost to purchase is only the cost of admission to aircraft ownership. Typically the average airplane owner buys into more airplane than he can afford, dumps alot of money into it initially then begins forgoing any maintenance for the remainder of the time he owns the plane. Most new owners would rather sink high $$$$'s into gadgets and avionics rather than needed maintenance.

[edasmus]

Norris,

The last formula posted buy "Tropical" sounds reasonable to me. I fly 100-110 hours per year and in 2007 my cash spent was a little over $25,000. In 2008 I spent, $35,000 for that 100 hours. As "Tropical" mentioned, there are variables so no two planes will be alike. My numbers also do NOT include money set aside for engine/prop overhauls. If I still own the plane when that time comes, then that money will come from my "wallet." My numbers only include fuel, hanger, insurance, and maintenance. There is no monthly payment on my airplane as it has already been paid off. Hopefully this helps. My hope is that you go into this with your "eyes wide open" because it makes me sad to see airplanes abandoned in the weeds because owners got in over their heads. The Skymaster is a wonderful machine and a real pleasure to fly but like all airplanes, it does require its share of maintenance. A wise friend of mine years ago had a great saying. "There is only one certainty in life besides death, and that is, if it is a machine, it will break!"

Good Luck!

Ed

[WebMaster]

The most important thing, when trying to figure out what it will cost, is to arrange for a competent IA, with prior experience, recent, working on a Skymaster. My worst annual was horribly expensive, because the person was completely unknowledgeable. Make sure the IA works on your plane, and doesn't farm it out to someone else in the shop.

Ask if you can participate in the annual. There are about a zillion screws and inspection plates that have to come off. You can pay him/her their appropriate rate, or you can take an evening and do a lot of it yourself.

Owner assisted annuals save you money, and get you familiar with the airplane. Both of which are good things. When you do assist, ask questions.

[Ernie Martin]

Let me comment on the two postings just prior to Larry's message above. I also advocate recognizing that the "cost of admission" is more than the aircraft purchase, and the principle of going in with your eyes wide open. But because insurance and hangar/tie-down vary so widely, forget estimates. You should determine those two costs (insurance from quotes that will be based on your experience and licenses, hangar/tie-downs from similar quotes where you will park the airplane). Fuel costs also vary widely depending on location (I self-serve at $3.30 on my field, but 30 minutes away it's twice that) so you should determine them based on your location for the near term and guess about the future. Then all that essentially remains is maintenace (particularly annual inspections and engine/prop overhauls). And this forum has lots of information on that.

Still, my operating costs per hour are vastly smaller than those cited above. I don't include hangar/tie-down ($1,000 per year), insurance (which I don't carry), or the first $1,000 of the annual inspection (for the reasons cited in my earlier message, that it is part of the cost of admission and would be there whether I fly or not) and my per-hour cost is around $160 -- with fuel and engine/prop reserves. That's half of one of the numbers cited above. Since I fly around 100 hrs per year, my total yearly cost is around $18,000, when you add the tie-down and the the first $1,000 of the annual inspection.

On Larry's message, I couldn't agree more.

Ernie

[WebMaster]

Ernie is completely correct. Get a firm Quote on insurance. Call Scott Smith, www.skysmith.com and get a quote. I forget where you live, but a hangar for $40/month??? That seems awful light. I paid $300 a month in GRR.

There are people I know who pay $300/mo, and have to park outside.

[norriscathy]

Thanks for the info guys but still looks like operating costs are all over the place. My CFI is "only" charging $300 per hour for plane and instructor so I'm hopeful my costs will be closer to the $160. $40 per month for a T-hanger is all it cost here in the beautiful foothills of the Arkansas Ozarks.

Norris
Clinton, Arkansas

[norriscathy]

Ed and Tropical:
Thanks! You offer some very sobering advice; especially for someone getting ready to retire.
Tanks again.
Norris