Fix the high cost [Was:] High Cost of Sportplanes

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shrike,

Interesting analysis. As one of the few who gets it, I think you can
appreciate why I chose the open source solution to publishing the data.
Any use of the community data is acceptance of an as-is contract where
any derivative works may not be patented or hoarded as trade secrets.
This also tends to insulate the technology publishers reasonably well
from litigation.

It is important to note that the point of this project is rather narrow.
I am not advocating the development of a specific set of plans for a
completed aircraft structure, but rather a set of procedures to set up a
shop to build such a structure in the cheapest manner. A quick analysis
on my part (followed up by data from other members on this list)
identified labor costs as being the #1 largest cost in pricing an
aircraft structure for sale in the LSA or small GA market. Granted,
there are other issues such as political, high engine prices, high
instrument prices, high materials prices, FBO desirability, etc. that I
am not addressing here, however, one must start somewhere.

Its even worth noting that should labor costs magically go to zero, the
cost of a commercially made aircraft would still probably not go below
50K USD.
Airframe + avionics + engine + labor Insurance Profit Overhead
kit basic 912 Magic
20000 + 4000 + 16000 + ( 0 * 45 ) +10000 + 10000 + 1000 = 61000


As you can see, even getting the largest component down to zero still
doesn't get you an airplane as cheap as an SUV ( for obvious reasons ),
it does however, get you to the point where you can start to compete
with the 69K LSA commercial planes from eastern europe today. At this
point, you are free to start chipping away at the other high price items
like the engine. For instance, an 89hp Jabiru can be had for 11k, thus
saving 5K from the 912 price tag.
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