Ed Haywood wrote:
: But ... you're basing all your cost estimates on "best case". You don't
: consider the opportunity cost of money, and you don't run a rebuild fund.
: Also, don't discount the possibility of major maintenance problems or minor
: accidents.

That's what I was trying to get at with the wide variations of
things like annuals, etc. If you do a good prebuy, there shouldn't be
that much that's *really* expensive on a 152. Even a new jug or top
overhaul is less than $2k if you do the work. I did intend to put in an
engine overhaul fund, but forgot. If you buy a runout, you can sell a
runout, though. Also many shades of grey on an "overhaul" and what it
costs.

: That's the thing about ownership. There is the hidden cost of "risk". If
: an expensive problem happens, there's nobody to absorb the cost but you.

Very true. Along with the risk goes risk and financial
management, though. There are *huge* shades of grey on what's considered
airworthy. If you want to run your plane really cheaply, you can do so...
just have to shop around for a mechanic and/or get your hands dirty.
Things really only get out of control when you either do something stupid
(so the insurance should cover it), or have a mechanic that is too anal
(so find another mechanic).


-Cory
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* The prime directive of Linux: *
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