RA Aus v GA ongoing costs ?

[bacchus]

Although still a while off I continue to struggle with the descision on aircraft purchase,

 

I would like to draw on the experience of anyone who has owned both or has knowledge of the running costs of both types of aircraft.

 

License is not being considered as I intend to go to PPL anyway ,

 

considerations being Registration Costs

 

Fuel Costs per hr

 

Insurance Costs

 

Servicing frequency

 

Time before Engine Rebuild

 

The Aircraft being considered New J170

 

or piper or cessna 2 seater to $80k

 

 

[Guest drizzt1978]

http://www.recreationalflying.com/forum/general-discussion/26160-cessna-150-would-you.html

 

Try this for start

 

 

[Guest Brett Campany]

Hey Bacchus, mate I'm considering an aircraft but not for at least another couple of years. Some of the things I considered late last year just as I was starting my RAAus certification was this.

 

2 seats or more? How many people do I want to take flying and where would we all go?

 

Mike_Perth has a good point, you can split the costs between 4 people and it would work out pretty cheap. Therefore a GA style aircraft. GA style aircraft can be a little more expensive.

 

Age of aircraft. You can pick up a new RAAus certified aircraft from between $40,000 and $150,000 so that comes down to budget. At least then you know the condition of the aircraft from the word go.

 

RAAus aircraft, you've got the choice of different makes and materials. Composite aircraft are being built to amazing standards and fly very differently to all metal aircraft. This is just a personal preference.

 

Maintenance cost. OK, this is one that I'm sure will work out a bit cheaper with RAAus aircraft but since I haven't researched it a lot, you might have to rely on the experiences of the other members here.

 

So they're just a few questions. Go and fly as many aircraft as you can and get a feel for your likes and dislikes in an aircraft. Then you find a few aircraft you like, take those for a fly and just nut out their pros and cons.

 

Do lots of research, are parts easily available? Are they easy and cheap (ish) to maintain?

 

My instructor at Serpentine actually went to Italy before buying his aircraft to see how they were built and he was completely amazed at the level of quality and professionalism in the factory.

 

So use a few of those points and see how your research comes up mate.

 

 

[Guest basscheffers]

I have looked into this a bit also.

 

The referenced thread gets hung up a bit on fuel cost. Yes, a 152 burns 10l/hr more. Flying the PPL average of 50 hours a year, this will cost you $750/year extra. If you just paid $30-40K less for the plane than a 15L/hr Jab, are you going to care?

 

Insurance cost will be much the same.

 

Servicing frequency is much the same, but genuine parts are a *lot* more expensive.

 

TBO on the engine is much the same, but for private use you can opt not to do it and go "on condition". More frequent and thorough inspections will be required. (by expensive LAME, of course, but cheaper than a $20K rebuild) Besides, an ETR of 500hr is useless to a busy school. For you it is likely 5-10 years of flying fun!

 

I recon over the life of the plane, costs are close to the same. The difference is: do you pay $60-70K up front for a low-time second hand Jab and have lower running costs, or pay $30K up front for an older Tomahawk or C152 and have higher running costs? It's all about how much capital you have available. Remember also: the $40K you don't spend right now and stays in your mortgage save you 2 grand a year in interest.

 

You have to take it all into account!

 

 

[bacchus]

Thanks for the information , certainly gives plenty to

 

think about and I am sure many changes of mind will be made before

 

the final decision.

 

Good points , to fly many aircraft , I intend to do so !

 

Initial capitol outlay , yes to be considered !

 

Many Thanks

 

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