Mxsmanic wrote:
If you own your own aircraft, could you discuss:

1. The make and model.

1/2 of clean '76 Beech C23 Sundowner with a nice panel and radio stack.

2. Whether you bought it new or used (if used, a bit of history on
it).

Used. I was in 5th grade in '76. G I've known my co-owner for 6-7
years, so we had a relationship before we bought the plane.

We bought it from four guys who had owned it about 9 years and were
upgrading to a C24 Sierra. We still see the previous owners on a
regular basis and have an excellent relationship with them. They flew
it a lot, and we fly it a lot, so the plane stays fresh.


3. The cost to buy it.

$46k ($23k for me)

4. The way you financed the purchase.

My personal savings, put aside over the years from part-time businesses
I operate.

5. Your approximate yearly costs for operation, maintenance, and
insurance.

We bill ourselves $60/hr, + $10/hr TBO fund, for operation, which covers
fuel, tie-down, oil changes, and misc. crap. We pay the ~$900-$1000 for
annual, and the insurance bill out of pocket when required. I think our
last insurance premium was ~ $750, but I don't remember exactly.

6. Your approximate yearly investment in training, licensing, medical
exams, etc. (to keep current as a pilot, as opposed to just the costs
related to a specific aircraft).

My PP training (47 hrs.) was ~$4500, 1/2 in the Beech and 1/2 in rented
Warriors. Regular flying keeps me current. G I'll usually spend ~ 2
hrs every 6-8 weeks doing slow flight, performance takeoffs and
landings, and stalls. I do hood work on a regular basis when there is
another pilot in the right seat. I'm in continuous training, because I
enjoy it. Since the additional training is optional for a private
pilot, I'm not adding the cost here.

I'm just curious about how much it actually costs to own and fly an
aircraft. I get the impression that it requires either being quite
wealthy or making severe sacrifices and never flying anything better
than a junky tin can.

One of our tie-down neighbors has a $10k C152. Is it pretty? Not
really... But it's an airplane, and flying is flying, and flying is fun!
If couldn't afford to own what I have, I would be in a club, renting,
or the owner of a beater.