Club Homepage Forums Classified Ads Buy & Sell - Everything But Airplanes What have your operating/ownership costs been?

WELL SAID, George!!!

AMEN, BROTHER!!!

Been there too, Tim. A year ago, I found this site and asked the board what they thought about buying a 150/152 to get the PPL. The wise men here said "wait until you are sure you like to fly and that the 150 is what you want" So I put my wallet back into my pocket, and went on to get my PPL. I decided that really i did enjoy flying and that I wanted to fly more often. I was ready to buy. Not wanting to be "taken" during the purchasing process, a couple of gentlemen kindly guided me on what to look for and even gave me their honest opinion on certain planes. That proved to be invaluable. Today, I'm still looking for the right plane. I'm in no rush. I don't think I'm missing anything (except Clinton ) while I'm still renting. Almost everytime I log unto this site I learned something about the 150/152 which ultimately makes me a more informed buyer. So while I can't help you in regard to actual ownership costs, I can tell you that you're right about not rushing into it.

Well Tim I couldn't resist but my flying costs have been $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$...etc

As the T.V. commercial says and what I think about flying is that it is "Priceless"

It always hurts to shell out the bucks but life is short enjoy.

Here is a calculator I made using Excel. Plug in your numbers into the blue fields and it will spit out a monthly cost of flying in the red field.

It assumes you will do an oil change 4 times a year. Also it calculates a month to be 4.3333 weeks (52 weeks divided by 12 months) I realize in the winter many will fly much less so you can do a summer/spring/fall calculation and a separate one for a winter scenario. It does not include stuff like an engine reserve or resell value.

You can play around with numbers such as . .. what if I only fly 1.5 hours a week instead of 2 hours a week. Or what if I tie down for $35 a month instead of hangar for $150 a month. Or what if gas goes from $3.86 per gallon to $6.97 per gallon ? etc. etc. . ..

I just try not to think about it!

What are my costs?

Sorry...don't know, too late to care, I'm in denial <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I do know the rule of small problems though and that one states that "the cost to correct a relatively minor malfunction will be approximately $500". That seems to have remained true throughout the time I have owned Birdie.

What are my costs?

How much will it cost me to find out?

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh!!!!!


I'm stressed!

Gotta fly!!!

I think its been said before ... what would it cost me not to fly?

Its too late ... I'm hooked ... I've got to fly now. Right now, I can afford to maintain my plane and fly when I want to. But, if I had to stand by the taxiway with my thumb out, that's what I'd have to do, cause I'm a flyer. I've got to leave the ground on a regular basis to remain sane.

Sure, I track my cost and file my taxes, but as long as there is fuel and a wing, I'm going up. Flying is my passion, and other than my family, I can't really say that about anything else I do, and so I fly.

Terry

Simple question: How much money does it take to own and fly your own airplane?

Simple answer: All of it.


Jim

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