"Pat Thronson" writes:

In The May issue of FLYING, the run down for a 182 was $179.03/hr
based on 125 hr/yr. This includes everything. times CAN ~$1.40
dollar =$250.64/hr. No, I do not own a airplane ****

I think that the article assumed you were hangaring the plane, which
adds a lot to the fixed costs. A 182 is also slightly more expensive
per hour than a 172 or Cherokee because of higher fuel burn, bigger
engine reserve (for the higher overhaul cost), and additional
maintenance for the constant-speed prop. Since the 182 has a higher
hull value, it will also cost more to insure. Maintenance can also
cost more in the U.S.

I just checked, and for my 1979 PA-28-161 I have these fixed expenses,
in Canadian dollars:

Insurance: 2,650/year (USD 1,890)
Tie-down: 900/year (USD 640)
Landing fee: 360/year (USD 260)
Nav Canada: 65/year (USD 46)

I cannot do much about those, aside from moving to a smaller field
with no landing charges and cheaper tie-downs, but I like being based
at a big airport (CYOW) with two ILS approaches and good, inexpensive
maintenance, instrument, and avionics shops on the field. My
insurance rate (CAD 1M combined liability and CAD 70K hull) is based
on only 90 hours of flight time, a PPL only a couple of months old,
and no advanced ratings. By the time I renew next December, I will
have over 200 hours together with my night and instrument ratings, so
I'm hoping for a better rate.

On top of this comes fuel and oil, which are predictable, engine
reserve, which is an educated guess, and general maintenance, which is
anyone's guess. I've talked to a few local pilots with comparable
planes, and most pay about CAD 1500-3000 locally for a good,
non-owner-assisted annual and associated repairs and touch-ups
(technically not part of the annual inspection).

Overall, looking at my expenses so far in my first year and projecting
them forward to December -- assuming CAD 3000.00 for my first annual
next month), that I'll end up with a total of 150 hours flying (I'm
close to 100 already) -- I'm looking at about CAD 100/hour (USD
72/hour) to fly my Warrior II this year. I wouldn't expect the cost
to be much different for a 172. Next year, costs may be lower, since
(I hope) if insurance is left and I don't find many new squawks beyond
the ones I've already fixed.

By comparison, renting a 172P wet would have cost me CAD 120/hour
including taxes and surcharges, plus CAD 250/day when the plane was
sitting at another airport while I was away on a cross-country trip.


All the best,


David

--
David Megginson, , http://www.megginson.com/