On Wed, 31 Mar 2004 17:54:35 GMT, john szpara
wrote:


Seems to me that in this class of used airplane the primary cost issue isn't
purchase price but rather annual insurance and maintenance costs. Any
pressurized, cabin class twin you buy for $150K will probably require a LOT
of maintenance! How much are you willing to spend annually to keep your
bird flying at peak safety levels? Are you willing to devote maybe a week

I'm figuring $20-30k/year for 100 hours flying. Extra money would be
available for the (inevitable) unexpected. I won't even attempt to buy
unless the revenue stream is in place for it. I would also be using it
partly for my business.

John,

You are definitely asking the right questions about the twins. And
you are right to be asking here before getting out your checkbook. In
the traditional r.a.owning way - keep asking the questions and we'll
keep saying you can't afford it until you're stuck on the ground.

Seriously though, $20-30k for 100hrs/year works out to $200-300/hr.
It is impossible to own/operate a 421 for $200/hr. The GTSIO520s burn
25gph (each) in cruise. Given the $3/gallon prices we have in Chicago
- that's $150/hr right there.

A rebuilt GTSIO520 is $45k, assuming it goes 2000 hrs before the
rebuild that's $22.50/hr per engine. So another $45/hr. Plus, if the
engines are mid-time, you need to be able to make up the 'already
spent' hours in the overhaul fund. This also does not include the
costs to install the new engine or remove the old one.

Most of these engines will require 1 (if not 2) top overhauls to make
it to 2000 hrs. That's another 10-20k per engine per TOH.

Hell, even oil changes on these things are serious business.
Basically a case of oil per engine for each change, plus however much
burn they have. Figure $100 per oil change, and $50 for burned oil
between changes.

Tiedown/Hangar costs are variable, but it is my opinion that a
high-performance/complex aircraft should really be in a heated/climate
controlled hangar. The wind/weather are really hard on planes sitting
outside, and when things break on a 421, they are expensive. Even so,
let's assume that a tie-down is available for $600/year or $6/hr.

Insurance will be another heap. My low-time ME quotes for a $140k
Seneca II with $1M smooth ranged from $5.5k to $12k. I'm sure a 421
with 8 seats and a higher hull value will be much worse. Let's say
you can get insurance for $10k/year which would still be $100/hr.

So a rough estimate per hour
Fuel: $150
Oil: $6
Eng Reserve: $45
Tiedown $6
Insurance: $100
------------------------------------
That's close to $300 and it does not include annual inspections or
misc maintenance costs.

-Nathan