All your questions have answers, except maintenance is the big unknown.
Also, hangar and tiedown costs vary greatly airport to airport. Take a
look at rental rates and that gives you an idea of what ownership
costs. Ownership is seldom less expensive than renting. The more a
plane is used, the less it costs PER HOUR to run.

I would recommend that you learn in a simple airplane. Almost everyone
does and it will be extremely expensive to insure you, a low time
pilot, in anything else. Learning is much more enjoyable in simpler
airplanes.

I would also recommend that you rent, not buy, until you have your
license. Learning to fly is complicated enough without adding the extra
worries of ownership. Then after you have your certificate, go out and
buy what you want (and can afford).


AceHyflyer wrote:
Hi all,

I've been interested in flying for a long time, and I'm finally hoping
to be able to get my PPL and work up from there.

At the moment I'm trying to research what kind of plane I would like to
look into owning either before or after I get my PPL. I have a few
questions for those of you who already own airplanes.

Firstly, Insurance premiums. How do insurance premiums compare between
fixed gear single engine, retractable gear single engine, and
retractable gear twin engine planes?

Secondly, Maintenance and Fuel. How do maintenance and fuel costs
compare between single and twin engine planes?

Third, do maintenance and fuel costs differ majorly between a new
airplane, and an older (20-40 years) airplane that has been taken care
of?

Fourth, what is the biggest difference between owning a twin engine
plane, as compared to a single engined plane? What are the benefits
and drawbacks?

Finally, is it possible to learn for your PPL in a complex and/or twin
engine airplane? What would be the benefits and drawbacks?

Thank you for any help you can give me,
Chris