Average Costs

[WingingIt74]

Now that I've picked a paint scheme and done things backwards, what are the costs associated with a S7? I figured just to let a Cessna 172 sit, the minimum per month would be $500 (hangar, insurance and annual).

SLSA:
LSA:
Annual:
Insurance:
Opperation/Hour:

Thanks,
Travis

[carsonvbaker]

Travis, mine works out to about $50 / hr. No hangar, no annual (I perform) and $10 / hr engine overhaul fund. Insurance cost not included.
Vic

[WingingIt74]

Thanks!

What should an annual run?

[avidflyer]

The annual conditional inspection on my Avids ends up being $240. 4 hrs @ $60 per hr. If you build and get the repairman's certificate, you can do your own. Take care, Jim Chuk

[WingingIt74]

Thanks. For some reason I have $3000 stuck in my head, I wonder if that's for a Bonanza A36. I'm trying to decide if I want to buy my Grandpa's first plane, early 70's Cessna 172, or build a KitFox. Trying to compare apples to apples.

[SkySteve]

My last annual cost $160. Done by an AI.

[RobS]

Flying a 1959 172A and my last annual was $2800. That included:

• Reaming the valve guides, lapping the valves, new springs, etc. on two cylinders
• New ignition harness
• Replaced rudder bushings
• New exhaust riser for one cylinder
• Added a vernier mixture control
• and repairs of a few minor squawks

Labor was $1800, parts $1000.

[avidflyer]

With my Avids, the AnP gives me a list of things to fix and I do them myself (that is if he finds anything to fix) I should have mentioned another cost that you asked about: insurance. I pay $377 per year for liability ins. Take care, Jim Chuk

[WingingIt74]

I was talking with a pilot friend of mine about a Cessna. He told me, if you go to a dealer about it is about $2500 and if you use local mechanic at your hanger or his about $1000 per year.

Why is a KitFox so much less, just curious? Is it because it's less complex and a newer aircraft?

[HighWing]

A quick story. A freind was giving rides in his Aeronca. On one landing to drop of and then pick up another passenger there was a rattle in one of the wheels. A check found that one of the clips that helped secure the brake rotor was missing. I asked him if he had spares in his hangar. His response, "I can't fix this, it needs an A&P".

So, in short, you can do all maintenance. You can follow your A&P around and note discrepencies and fix them yourself. In my opinion, there should be no labor charge in the annual condition inspection. Then if you build yourself, that part will be a parts only deal as you will do the rest including the log book endorsement.

Lowell