Aviation is too expensive

What's wrong with general aviation?

An old crapper Piper from 1978 costs over $50,000. A nice one cost $180,000.
These are relic machines with instrument panel lights and loose door handles
worse than any yugo ever had. I'd say an old Cherokee from 1978 should be
worth about as much as a V.W. from the same time period: $2500. Especially
considering the absurd yearly expenses required to keep one legal. If a v.w.
bug had to have an annual inspection that costs what a GA aircraft
inspection does, nobody would pay a cent for one.

A hiker's GPS runs $199 while an aviation version costs $1,999.

Why does an aviation spark plug cost over $20??? It's just a plug! It should
cost $1.99 for a good one! A far more complex product with dozens of
precision parts - a digital watch - can go for as little as $5.99 at
Walmart.

Why does the 36" fiberglass pan of a Warrior (the chin part where the carb
intake is on the nose) cost 5,000 freaking dollars???? It is only glass and
glue, after all. There is no structural support or anything like that
involved.

Fuel is $2.65 for self serve 100LL! Does it have pure gold flakes in it? Why
isnt it $1.50?

Maybe modern pilots are just money bags who dont care about costs.

Three words, "Amateur Built Aircraft"


--
Chris Woodhouse
Oklahoma City

"They that can give up essential liberty
to obtain a little temporary safety
deserve neither liberty nor safety."
-- Benjamin Franklin, 1759 Historical Review of Pennsylvania

"Chris W" wrote in message ...
Three words, "Amateur Built Aircraft"


Non-answer.

He's not asking for cheap alternatives, he's asking why aviation costs are
so disproportionate (i.e., why a 25 year old aircraft cost more than it did
new).

On Mon, 04 Aug 2003 14:43:14 -0700, Tom S. wrote:


"Chris W" wrote in message ...
Three words, "Amateur Built Aircraft"


Non-answer.

He's not asking for cheap alternatives, he's asking why aviation costs are
so disproportionate (i.e., why a 25 year old aircraft cost more than it did
new).

Some of that is due to inflation, which people tend to forget.

Inflation is, IIRC, averaging about 4% over the last 30 years or so. So
the buying power of $15k 30 years ago is equal to $48k today. (And compound
interest isn't my forte, apologies if I did that wrong).

So, $15k or $50k, which is "more?" Well, in this case, they're "equal".

Some of his other complaints.. well, he's welcome to _start his own
company_, and make the inexpensive parts, sell gas for under its cost,
etc.

And I suspect if he were to try that, or at least consider it a bit
longer, he might answer his own question.

Addison

"Tom S." wrote:

"Chris W" wrote in message ...
Three words, "Amateur Built Aircraft"

Non-answer.

He's not asking for cheap alternatives, he's asking why aviation costs are
so disproportionate (i.e., why a 25 year old aircraft cost more than it did
new).

Well in that case, I have three letters for you, FAA.

And I take exception to using the term "cheap alternative" to describe "Amateur
Built Aircraft". Now if you meant "inexpensive" alternative I have no problem
with that.


--
Chris Woodhouse
Oklahoma City

"They that can give up essential liberty
to obtain a little temporary safety
deserve neither liberty nor safety."
-- Benjamin Franklin, 1759 Historical Review of Pennsylvania

Two words...

supply and demand.


"H.J." wrote in message
...
What's wrong with general aviation?

An old crapper Piper from 1978 costs over $50,000. A nice one cost
$180,000.
These are relic machines with instrument panel lights and loose door
handles
worse than any yugo ever had. I'd say an old Cherokee from 1978 should be
worth about as much as a V.W. from the same time period: $2500. Especially
considering the absurd yearly expenses required to keep one legal. If a
v.w.
bug had to have an annual inspection that costs what a GA aircraft
inspection does, nobody would pay a cent for one.

A hiker's GPS runs $199 while an aviation version costs $1,999.

Why does an aviation spark plug cost over $20??? It's just a plug! It
should
cost $1.99 for a good one! A far more complex product with dozens of
precision parts - a digital watch - can go for as little as $5.99 at
Walmart.

Why does the 36" fiberglass pan of a Warrior (the chin part where the carb
intake is on the nose) cost 5,000 freaking dollars???? It is only glass
and
glue, after all. There is no structural support or anything like that
involved.

Fuel is $2.65 for self serve 100LL! Does it have pure gold flakes in it?
Why
isnt it $1.50?

Maybe modern pilots are just money bags who dont care about costs.

Two words...

supply and demand.

It's liability, too. Everyone tags on "x" percent, just to cover their
perceived risks.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

He's not asking for cheap alternatives, he's asking why aviation
costs are
so disproportionate (i.e., why a 25 year old aircraft cost more
than it did
new).

supply and demand.

It's liability, too. Everyone tags on "x" percent, just to cover their
perceived risks.

Also "economies of scale". You'll find similar (expensive) situations
for boats and other niche items that don't have a huge market base.
And airplanes don't rust, meaning they can last longer than cars.
They do corrode, but that usually takes longer.

Jim Rosinski
N3825Q

It's liability, too. Everyone tags on "x" percent, just to cover their
perceived risks.

And with our judicial system (read "jurors") handing out rewards of $480
MILLION for a crash (that the guy lived through)....I can understand why
they'd want that coverage. (I understand its been overturned recently
though, thank God)......

(this is where our resident lawyer Larry gets to pipe in about it being
"fair"

Biggest problem with money and flying is that if you say "I'm a pilot", the
general public thinks you must be rich. I can buy a sub-$20k airplane and
my best friend can spend $30k for a new bass boat. But who do you think Joe
Average will think has the most money?

"Jay Honeck" wrote
Two words... supply and demand.

It's liability, too. Everyone tags on "x" percent, just to cover their
perceived risks.

Let's all get real. Supply and demand and economies of scale? Then
why does the top end RADAR for a small boat cost less than $2000, new?
They don't sell any more of those than they do small airplane RADAR
sets.

For that matter, why does an autopilot for an experimental cost $1500,
new? There are fewer experimentals flying than certified aircraft.

Liability? The same laws, lawyers, judges and juries apply whether
we're talking certified aircraft, homebuilt, or boat.

No, let's be real. The real enemy is our government - specifically
the FAA. They're the reason we're struggling to keep 40 year old
technology going rather than getting new stuff at a fraction of the
cost.

Michael