Sport Pilot Talk

flyingclay · Joined: 08 Aug 2010 Posts: 26 Location: Tennessee

Anyone have the average, annual, fixed $ cost of operation per hour of usage on the LSA with a Rotax 912 (100hp), (excluding the plane cost)? In other words, what does it cost to have required maintenance inspections, required overhalls or engine replacement cost when the time comes etc...

drseti · Joined: 28 Nov 2009 Posts: 1193 Location: Lock Haven PA

flyingclay wrote: Anyone have the average, annual, fixed $ cost of operation per hour

Question is confusing as asked. Fixed costs are independent of flight hours, thus are not computed on a per hour basis. Examples of fixed costs are hangar rental, insurance, static/transponder/altimeter checks, and annual inspections. Variable costs are costs that (obviously) vary with flight hours, so computing a cost per hour makes sense for them. Examples of variable costs are oil changes, tires, fuel, brakes, filters, engine TBO reserve, 100 hour inspections (if required), recurring service bulletins, and mandatory overhaul/inspection of such time-limited components as the propeller gearbox and carburetors.

It is my experience that the variable costs of operating a new Rotax-powered LSA run about $50/hr. My fixed costs average $9000/yr (and $5200 of that is insurance). Of course, mine is a flight school aircraft, so insurance costs are much higher than a private owner's will be.

flyingclay · Joined: 08 Aug 2010 Posts: 26 Location: Tennessee

Thanks drseti. Sorry for the confusion. Since I am new to LSA, I am in the learning process of what cost to anticipate and plug in some estimates of hours of plane used per year so I can eventually get it down to what the plane is costing per hours used. I understand fixed and variables, however wanting to be sure I don't overlook miscelaneous items. I guess I would be curious as to what you would estimate the hours used in the plane might average per year with an estimated $9000 annual cost.
Average cost $9000/average (estimated) hours flown?

flyingclay · Joined: 08 Aug 2010 Posts: 26 Location: Tennessee

drseti: PS reason for understanding and learning about these numbers is I am tinkering with beginning a LSA/Flight instruction program marketed within a chain of Health Clubs I own, as an extra benefit of membership.
The business model/blueprint that I am gravitating towards is focusing more on an outlet that enables them to have simple access to the opportunity to enjoy affordable flying in new, safe, fun, neat S-LSA aircraft. Variations of directions beyond that will be available, as expected, but the target market is, "enjoy the simple experience of flying first"............
Thanks for sharing your experience.

drseti · Joined: 28 Nov 2009 Posts: 1193 Location: Lock Haven PA

flyingclay wrote: I would be curious as to what you would estimate the hours used in the plane might average per year with an estimated $9000 annual cost.

My business plan was predicated upon an estimated 240 flight hours per year per plane. That assumes 40 flyable weeks per year (limited here by weather), at a conservative one tach hour per day of flying, six days a week. Given $9000 fixed costs, and $50/hr variable costs times 240 hours per year, we're looking at $21,000 fixed plus variable costs, divided by 240, or $87.50/hour total operating costs. The plane rents for $99/hour wet, which discounts to $90/hr with the purchase of prepaid blocks of instruction. In other words, at 240 hours per year, the plane is roughly breaking even.

Instructor time is billed separately, of course.