Least Expensive Plane To Buy and Own

On Aug 23, 11:45 pm, "Michael Adams" wrote:
I am looking for some input on the least expensive airplanes to own. I've
heard so many horror stories about the $5000 or even $15,000 annual, or the
seat adjuster that costs $600, that I thought I would get some input on this
before buying. So I'm looking for low purchase price (used), low repair and
parts costs, and low $ per hour to run.

Michael

That is the nature of renting. Unless you are flying 100-150 hours per
year renting is going to save you a lot of money and be more
predictable.

-robert

On Aug 24, 6:14 am, Dave Butler wrote:
Michael Adams wrote:
I am looking for some input on the least expensive airplanes to own. I've
heard so many horror stories about the $5000 or even $15,000 annual, or the
seat adjuster that costs $600, that I thought I would get some input on this
before buying. So I'm looking for low purchase price (used), low repair and
parts costs, and low $ per hour to run.

Piper Cub
Aeronca Champ

Both those planes may find a rib rubbing and result in a $10,000
annual. I had this happen with the Aeronca Chief and my neighbor with
his Piper Cub.

-Robert

On Aug 24, 7:39 am, B A R R Y wrote:
Michael Adams wrote:
I am looking for some input on the least expensive airplanes to own.

The rental. G

Yup, I've had the bug on and off and no matter how I run the numbers I
can't justify it unless I have lots of mad money on hand, which I
don't. You can't beat a good flying club for the right balance
between value and availability.

A partnership can also cut your costs, but of course it has to be the
right partner, which isn't easy to find.

Robert M. Gary wrote:
On Aug 23, 11:45 pm, "Michael Adams" wrote:

I am looking for some input on the least expensive airplanes to own. I've
heard so many horror stories about the $5000 or even $15,000 annual, or the
seat adjuster that costs $600, that I thought I would get some input on this
before buying. So I'm looking for low purchase price (used), low repair and
parts costs, and low $ per hour to run.

Michael


That is the nature of renting. Unless you are flying 100-150 hours per
year renting is going to save you a lot of money and be more
predictable.

-robert


What Robert says it true. Any financial planner will tell you the same
thing. Goes for boats, RVs, etc; renting is better.

Having said that, it sure is nice to go to your hangar and pull our your
plane when all the rentals are out until nightfall.

I think you are being unrealistic - this is an expensive hobby,
unfortunately. Even the LSAs were supposed to be inexpensive. The Legion
Cub is $100,000.

--

Regards, Ross
C-172F 180HP
KSWI

On Aug 24, 9:48 am, Ross wrote:
Robert M. Gary wrote:
On Aug 23, 11:45 pm, "Michael Adams" wrote:

I am looking for some input on the least expensive airplanes to own. I've
heard so many horror stories about the $5000 or even $15,000 annual, or the
seat adjuster that costs $600, that I thought I would get some input on this
before buying. So I'm looking for low purchase price (used), low repair and
parts costs, and low $ per hour to run.

Michael

That is the nature of renting. Unless you are flying 100-150 hours per
year renting is going to save you a lot of money and be more
predictable.

-robert

What Robert says it true. Any financial planner will tell you the same
thing. Goes for boats, RVs, etc; renting is better.

Having said that, it sure is nice to go to your hangar and pull our your
plane when all the rentals are out until nightfall.

I think you are being unrealistic - this is an expensive hobby,
unfortunately. Even the LSAs were supposed to be inexpensive. The Legion
Cub is $100,000.

Totally, that is why I own my Mooney. I could probably rent a Baron
for the cost of owning the Mooney. However, I love going out to the
airport and launching into the fog without having to worry about the
condition of the instrumentation, etc. There are lots of great reasons
for owning a plane, but financial is not one of them.

-robert

Robert M. Gary wrote:

What Robert says it true. Any financial planner will tell you the same
thing. Goes for boats, RVs, etc; renting is better.

Having said that, it sure is nice to go to your hangar and pull our your
plane when all the rentals are out until nightfall.

I think you are being unrealistic - this is an expensive hobby,
unfortunately. Even the LSAs were supposed to be inexpensive. The Legion
Cub is $100,000.


Totally, that is why I own my Mooney. I could probably rent a Baron
for the cost of owning the Mooney. However, I love going out to the
airport and launching into the fog without having to worry about the
condition of the instrumentation, etc. There are lots of great reasons
for owning a plane, but financial is not one of them.


True. I scrimp on other things so I can keep my plane. No fancy
cars, boats or jet set lifestyles. On the other hand traveling
is a pleasure in your own plane... no long lines at the airport,
luggage getting lost or stuff stolen out of it, or idiotic
regulations about what you can't carry with you, etc. etc. We can
go when we want and more often than not land at a place that
is closer to our ultimate destination. To me its worth it.

Renting and buying are just different products. They both give you a
ride in something with a propeller and wings, but that's about it. How
do you compare the cost of steak versus hamburger? You can get a
number, but what does it mean? They are just different experiences.

I challenge you to find a rental airplane whe
-No reservation is needed.
-No one pressures you for a return date.
-Careful engine operation saves you money.
-The equipment is what you want.
-You can leave your charts and headsets in it...

and so on.

Renting will usually be cheaper. So will hamburger.

-John T.

On Aug 24, 11:59 am, "John T." wrote:
Renting and buying are just different products. They both give you a
ride in something with a propeller and wings, but that's about it. How
do you compare the cost of steak versus hamburger? You can get a
number, but what does it mean? They are just different experiences.


That's part of our point. The OP is asking what the best hamburger to
buy is and we're saying hamburgers are for renting.

-Robert

On Fri, 24 Aug 2007 14:59:26 -0400, "John T."
wrote:

Renting will usually be cheaper. So will hamburger.

And when the conversation starts with "least expensive"...

Good service includes educating the customer.

xyzzy wrote in
ups.com:

On Aug 24, 7:39 am, B A R R Y wrote:
Michael Adams wrote:
I am looking for some input on the least expensive airplanes to own.

The rental. G

Yup, I've had the bug on and off and no matter how I run the numbers I
can't justify it unless I have lots of mad money on hand, which I
don't. You can't beat a good flying club for the right balance
between value and availability.

A partnership can also cut your costs, but of course it has to be the
right partner, which isn't easy to find.


And the wrong partner can be a nightmare.

--
Marty Shapiro
Silicon Rallye Inc.

(remove SPAMNOT to email me)